I paused and almost laughed. “I have friends.”
“Okay. When was the last time you got a beer with a buddy?”
I thought back, trying to find a recent memory of when I went out with a mate from school or the service, but I came up empty.
Nairie looked at me with that wise-beyond-her-years expression and silently nodded.
I chuckled. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that I was stretched thin, and getting some time off with friends would be a good place to start, but hearing Nairie say it out loud was different. It unearthed a deeper craving within me—to have someone care for me. Something as simple as reminding me to hang out with friends or take my vitamins.
I got up to clean our plates and the rest of the kitchen. Nairie sat and looked out the window as I put dishes away.
“So tell me about your new beau.”
Nairie snapped her head around. “Oh, that. It’s nothing, really. Just some guy from art class.”
“What’s his name?”
Nairie moved to the fridge, the topic clearly making her uncomfortable. “Luke.”
I smirked and nodded.
“What?”
“Nothing. What are you thinking of submitting for the art competition?”
Nairie paused, taking a drink. “Oh, I signed up for that, didn’t I? Last night is still kinda fuzzy. I’m not sure what I’ll submit yet.”
“Remember, I know when you’re lying.”
“Your back is facing me! You can’t even tell.”
I looked at her deadpan and smiled. “I think that elderly woman you drew on your Instagram was really good.”
Nairie’s mouth dropped open, and she furrowed her brow. “You’re not on Instagram.”
“Sometimes Elspeth will text me your stuff.”
I failed to mention that I would ask Elspeth about her illustrations myself. I loved her art. It reflected the way she saw the world. She had drawn a portrait of an elderly woman at a bus stop, but it was the way she’d drawn the hands that had impressed me. She’d put so much detail into the time-worn wrinkles and age spots—turning it into something beautiful. I loved that Nairie could find beauty in anything.
Nairie smiled. “I love that one too, but the competition is for this outdoor retailer called Limitless Co.”
“I’ve heard of them. I get my camping gear from there.”
“Yeah, so they want a mural for their Venice Beach store. I was thinking of something to match the location.”
She pulled up her phone with some of the illustrations she had brainstormed. I sat down next to her and took the phone when she offered it to me. Nairie silently waited for my response.
She licked her lips, which captured my attention, and the energy shifted.
I was leaning my weight on my elbows and wasclose to Nairie’s face.
Looking down at her phone, I turned it back to her. “Go with the surfer.”
“Really?”
I scratched my head and pulled away. “Yeah, it’s your strongest one. I like that it looks like a vintage postcard.”
“You don’t think it’s too boring?”
