“What you do?” Dustin asks quirking one eyebrow.
“I mean,” I say, rushing to fix my error. “I make a little money from the classes I do online. I’d love to do more, but my real job is acting so that takes up most of my time. Of course, acting is what brings in the most. But it is fun to make a little bit of my living from my art.” I’m rambling so I close my mouth and try not to turn red from embarrassment. Squint must sense my discomfort because he jumps up on my lap.
Dustin shifts in his chair. “Have you ever sold a painting?”
I nod. “A few.” Not a lie. I’ve had a few online sales, mostly to people who have taken my classes. The rest of my paintings I either give away as presents, or I stuff them away in my closet at home.
“Have you ever showed them in an art gallery?” Dustin reaches over and pets Squint on the head.
“Oh, no.” The thought terrifies me. Probably because I’d be expected to go to some opening night thing and mingle with people. I can’t imagine doing that.
He seems surprised by my reaction. “Why not?”
I think about lying to him, but I’ve done so much of that lately I don’t want to lie again. I look down at Squint on my lap. “I don’t like the idea of having to schmooze people at some opening night event.”
“You wouldn’t have to do that. I bet I can get you into a gallery with no obligation to schmooze.” He places a hand on my leg.
I stare at him, trying not to get my hopes up but not succeeding. To see my work in a gallery would be a dream come true. “Really?”
“Absolutely. Jera, your work is amazing. I don’t think you realize how talented you are. I could get you into any gallery you want. Everyone would want to see a Jera Davenport painting.”
My elation crashes and burns on the sand. Sure, everyone would want to buy a painting if they thought the famous movie star Jera Davenport painted it. But me? No one would care. I try not to show how disappointed I am. “Cool,” I say. “That would be awesome.”
“Do you have more paintings at home?”
I open my mouth to say yes, but luckily I stop myself before it comes out. My paintings are all at my apartment in Denver. He’s talking about Jera’s home. “No, only the ones I showed you.”
“That’s too bad. If you had more, I’m sure I could get you your own show.”
I pretend to be disappointed. “Oh, darn. So sorry it didn’t work out.”
“It’s okay. When you have a few more done we can try. I’d love to see your talent on display.”
It’s touching that he has so much faith in me, even if it’s misplaced. I’m sure he’s right. Jera could get a space in a gallery. Me? Not so much. But he’s still being super sweet. I nod in agreement as I slip my sketch paper into my bag.
We sit for a moment before Dustin speaks. “Do you want to walk along the beach?”
“Sure.”
I slide my feet out of my flip flops and carry Squint out onto the sand, which is powdery soft. Dustin and I walk along the water’s edge. Squint wiggles, and I set him down so he can run and play in the sand.
The water is cool but not cold and it feels good on my feet. We walk in silence for a while before I look up at Dustin. I suddenly want to know him better. I want to be closer to him. “What are you thinking about?”
He smiles playfully at me. “I can’t tell you.”
I elbow him. “Why not?”
“I got you a little something. It’s a small surprise.”
“You did?”
He nods. “Yes.”
A tiny thrill goes through me. The famous movie star Dustin Sawyer bought me a present. I can’t even fathom what it could be, but it makes me a little giddy inside to think about. I poke him in the side. “What is it?”
He laughs. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore.”
I can’t stop smiling. This guy sure knows how to make me happy. Jera’s words come back to me, that he’s doing all of this just to get the lawsuit dropped. A tiny thread of doubt worms its way through me. He could be playing me. This whole thing could be an act to get what he wants with the fence. I shove the thought away. I don’t want to think about that. Dustin and I don’t have a future once Jera gets back, so it doesn’t matter anyway. “When will you give me my present?”
“When we get back home.” He looks far too delighted about teasing me with this.
I try to think of what it could be. “Art supplies?”
“No.” He slips his hand into mine. The gesture warms me to my toes. How can touching skin feel so good and so right? I marvel at the way it makes my heartbeat speed up, like I’m a teenage cheerleader and he’s the handsome quarterback.
“You bought another dog toy.”
His laughter fills the air. “Yes, but that’s not what the surprise is.”
I giggle. “You’re going to spoil him more than I do!”
“Impossible. You spoil that little dog so much. All I’ve done is buy him a dog bed.” A large wave comes and hits our legs.
“And a little doggie bone so you can play with him,” I remind him.
“You made him a hand-painted carrier.”
“That was more for me than him. It was too plain. I wanted to dress it up.”
He raises one eyebrow. “You carry dog treats in your pockets.”
My mouth drops. “How did you know that?”
His grin turns devilish. “I just know. In fact, I would wager that you have some in your pockets right now.”
I do, but I don’t want to admit it to him. “So what?”
“So, if you do, you’re the one spoiling Squint the most.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
He slows his steps. “Let’s just see how many treats you have in your pockets.” He tries to reach for me, but I step away.
“I don’t think we need to see.”
He comes toward me, but I sprint away. This leads to a chase on the beach, which Squint thinks is incredibly fun. He runs at my heals and barks. I can’t remember the last time I laughed this hard.
Dustin catches up to me and wraps his arms around me from behind, pulling me off my feet. “Gotcha,” he says in my ear as I wiggle to get loose, although I admit I’m not trying very hard.
Dustin sets me on my feet and pats my jeans pockets. “Ah ha! I was right. Dog treats.”
“All right, all right.” I turn to face him. “You got me. What’s my punishment?”
He pretends to think about it as his hands slide around my hips and pull me close. “I think it needs to be something memorable.”
My heart pounds as I try to catch my breath, but being this close to Dustin is making it difficult. “I can’t think of anything memorable.”
He raises his eyebrows, and I can’t help but laugh at the look on his face. “Nothing, huh?” he says, his voice low. He’s so close his breath whispers across my lips.
“Nope. Nothing comes to mind.”
A playful glint comes into his eyes. “Sounds like a challenge to me.”
I can’t stand his teasing anymore, and I raise onto my toes and press my lips to his. He takes control of the kiss, igniting a fire in my veins. If his other kisses were slow dances, this is a tango. It’s fiery hot and electricity burns through me.
I know I can’t keep kissing Dustin. This won’t last. But for now, I don’t have the willpower to stop. I want to live in a fairytale, even if it will all evaporate when I have to leave and go back home.
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