Nothing feels more important than finishing this painting.
As I add the final touches—a deeper shadow here, a brighter reflection there—I feel a sense of accomplishment that has nothing to do with billable hours or winning arguments. This is different. Personal. A private victory.
I sit back on my heels, brush still in hand, and look at what I’ve created. It’s not perfect. The perspective is a little off in one corner, and I’ve overworked some areas, trying to get them right.
But it’s mine.
And it’s a vast improvement over the creepy bear.
Chapter Twelve
Weston
You’d think I would’ve learned after my last speed dating disaster. But apparently, I’m a glutton for punishment. Or maybe Parker’s right about me.
Maybe I really amdesperate.
My mind spins as I step into yet another singles mixer, my eyes flickering around the faces filling the bar. It’s not a speed dating or super organized event. It’s just a singles’ night at the Cricket. I usually avoid coming to things like this by myself, because it means I could end up sitting all alone the entire night…
But I needed to get out tonight.
Parker is busy doingsomethingwith Amy; I don’t know the details. All I know is that the two of them are driving me crazy.Everyone who comes within ten feet of them knows they’re into each other. However, they’re completely blind to it.
It’s just plain annoying.
“Good evening.” A woman’s voice greets me. She’s wearing the bar’s logo on her shirt. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Um.” I hesitate as I scan the tables around the room. There’s not a single familiar face, and while that doesn’t bother me, it doesn’t exactly make me feel better about the evening, either. “I guess I’ll just have a water.”
“A water?” She appears surprised. “Are you sure?”
I nod my head, and then make my way to the nearest empty table, which requires me to weave around multiple laughing circles of people. They all look like they’re having the time of their lives, and not a single one of them turns a head in my direction.
This is why I don’t like coming to these mixers by myself.
I slide onto a bar stool that faces the crowd and wait for the lady to bring me my water. Part of me considers bailing as soon as I settle in, but alas, I make myself sit here. After all, what else do I have to do for the evening? Parker is busy, and our other friends are coupled up, uninterested in coming out to bars like this one.
My mind flashes to Brittany, and I frown at the thought. It’s been a couple of weeks since she moved into her new apartment, and Parker hasn’t mentioned her at all—other than that she’s getting settled in and is happy with the place.
I wonder if she replaced the picture.
I kind of chuckle to myself, then stop, contemplating whether she thought my housewarming gift was too much.Is there a chance it offended her?I inwardly cringe at the thought. I tried to make the card as tasteful as I could, but at the same time, I also sneakily placed it on her counter so Parker wouldn’t see it.
Would he be mad?
Probably.
“Hey.” A voice cuts into my thoughts, and I snap my eyes from the table I’m staring at. My gaze meets a pair of hazel eyes, and I can’t deny the gold in them is attractive. Are they icy blue eyes?No.But I don’t judge. “Drinking water?”
I raise my brows, not having realized my water was set in front of my face. “Oh, yeah. I just wasn’t sure how long I was going to stay.”
The woman tucks some of her blonde hair behind her ear, and I notice she’s wearing a nice black dress. “I don’t blame you. I got a water, too. I probably should’ve gone with wine, but I wasn’t sure how long I was going to stay either.”
I laugh, gesturing to the tall chair beside me. “Feel free to take a seat with me. We can totally people-watch together.”
“Ah, how did you know my favorite hobby?” She giggles and then climbs awkwardly into the chair adjacent to mine. She sets her glass of water down on the counter. “This is my first mixer. I was terrified to come.” She spins her glass around in her hands, her bright pink nails a contrast to her choice of dress color.
“I’m Weston,” I finally say, pulling my gaze from her fingers and back to her eyes. “What’s your name? If you said it, I must’ve missed it.”
