Jae grins. “Get dressed, let’s go to the restaurant. I’ll be in the kitchen, okay?”
I dress quickly in my painting coveralls. I tie up my hair and do my makeup in my small bedroom mirror. It isn’t like me to wear makeup often, but I want to impress the man sitting in my kitchen. I so badly want to be the rosy-cheeked girl he claims to be seeing.
It’s Monday, and our usual routine is certainly shattered. Instead of meeting Jae in the lobby, I meet him in my living room. Today will be the day I finish the mural, a week ahead of schedule.
We walk hand in hand out of the building, like a real couple would, and stop at Sheila's for pastries and tea. We walk to the restaurant this morning instead of taking the subway and by the time we get there it’s almost nine o’clock.
I contemplate messing up the mural just to drag it out longer to spend more time with him. As Jae unlocks the door and steps inside, he pauses to take in the nearly finished mural.
There is really not much left to do. Add some finishing touches to the couple standing on the shore of the lake, and perhaps to the trees and mountains in the background. A week to dry to be safe, and it’ll be ready to have patrons sitting in front of it.
Jae asks the question I’ve been sitting on the answer to.
“When will you be finished?” he asks.
“Today,” I tell him, honestly. “I don’t think I’ll need much more time.”
A few weeks ago, I was looking forward to this day, but now I dread it. No more walking to the restaurant with Jae in the morning. No more chatting the day away while doing something I love. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to see him every day again. There is no way he can stay over at my place every single night.
“It looks beautiful, Riley,” he tells me.
“Of course it does,” I laugh. “I wouldn’t paint you a shitty painting.”
“What will you do next?”
“I’m not sure. Look for another commission, I guess.” Normally, when I’m on top of my game, I have another lined up as one finishes, but I’ve been so distracted with my budding romance that I’ve totally forgotten. I fidget in front of the mural, holding my paint brush box, unsure where to start or what to say to Jae. We stand side-by-side to look at the work. “I was thinking about putting up a sign in the building lobby offering painting lessons.”
“I have a proposal for you.” Jae sticks his hand out like he’s writing a checklist in the air. “Paint with my mother..”
“Your mother?”
“Yeah. I’d love to set up and pay you for a few lessons. She used to love to paint when I was a child. Maybe painting will help her feel better about her MS diagnosis.”
“You don’t feel weird about paying me?”
“Why would I? My feelings for you are totally separate from our professional relationship. You are an excellent painter, Riley.”
“I’m pleased to hear that.” I smile at him. “I look forward to scheduling it. Can I kiss you?”
“Why couldn’t you?” Jae turns towards me, his hands moving to my elbows, moving my arms around his waist.
“We’re at your restaurant. Someone might see!” Despite my reservations, my hands flatten against the small of his back, eager to get their fill of his body before I have to start painting.
“I haven’t been keeping you a secret.” Jae’s voice changes to a serious tone I’ve only heard him use once or twice. “I knew I wanted you the moment I laid eyes on you.” Jae confirms my hopes.He didn’t just buy me tea or help me for no reason. Hedidswipe on me on purpose.
“You’re a better person than I am.” I turn to hide my face and the devilish laugh I can’t help but release. “I only started liking you after I saw your dating app profile photos.”
“I forgive you, Riley,” Jae teases.
“You’re easy on the eyes, what can I say?” I have no chance at defending myself. I look back at him with a smile plastered to my face.Is this what being happy is like?
“Do you want to know a secret?” Jae whispers in my ear, his voice suddenly sultry and authentic, the teasing totally gone.
“Absolutely I do.”
“I didn’t know you were actually naked under your bathrobe. It was just a lucky guess.” I can hear his smile pressed up against my ear.
“You littleshit.”
