“Let me know when you take your break and I’ll join you.”
“Alright,” I agree, and he gives me an easy smile.
He drops a quick kiss on my lips and then I’m hurrying past him.I can’t seem to stop the smile from curving my lips as I tie my apron around my waist and hurry out onto the floor.I take over my section from Nikki and get lost in work.It’s the lunch rush so time goes by quickly.Soon, it’s time for my break and I walk past Ford’s office as I head for the breakroom.
“I’m about to go on break,” I tell him, and he nods, pushing to his feet and following me back to the breakroom.
“Be honest,” he starts as we take a seat at the small table.“Did you paint me last night?”
I groan, rolling my eyes as I grin, and he laughs.
“No, I was tired so I went to bed.”
“That’s a shame.”
“I actually haven’t painted that much lately.I got busy with work,” I tell him, the excuse rolling off my tongue easily.
“I can cut your hours if you need me too,” he offers, and I shake my head.
“I need the hours to be able to afford things like rent and food,” I tell him.
“Well, if you ever want me to pose for you, let me know.”
“Really?Are you comfortable doing nudes?”I tease, and he gives me a wicked smirk as he leans closer to me.
“Absolutely.”
I can feel my face heat, but I don’t look away from him.I’ve never really flirted with anyone before.It’s always just been Ford for me, and I was too afraid to try with him before.
You shouldn’t be trying now;I remind myself.This is all fake, a show for Grams.Don’t get attached.
My smile drops and I sit back in my chair.Ford doesn’t notice; he’s too busy asking one of the cooks to get me a burger and some fries.
“Coming right up, boss!”The cook, Gary, calls back.
“Oh, and hold the onions!”He reminds him.
I love how he knows so much about me.
“I’m not sure that I’ll have time to eat all of that,” I point out, and he shrugs.
“It’s not busy right now.You can take some extra time.”
“You need to be careful or your employees are going to start talking about you playing favorites,” I warn him.
“They’ll get used to it,” he says with a shrug.
A bubbly emotion bursts to life inside me and I swallow hard.I love this.I love being with him like this.I feel like a lovesick teenager, like I’m a kid again.
“So, about this next painting,” he starts as he sets my food down in front of me.
“I really haven’t been painting much, and I can’t with my grandma here since she’s staying in the art room.”
“Why haven’t you been painting?”He asks.“Really.”
I grab a fry, stuffing it in my mouth to avoid answering him.The truth is that some of the joy was sucked out of painting when I came back to Wolf Valley.
“I… I failed at it,” I whisper, and he frowns.
