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“Tell me all about it?” she asked, looking at me expectantly. I nodded, and we headed to the couch so I could tell her about Carl, about my time with Leo, and about how I really, truly wasn’t falling in love.
But as I returned to my room and my phone buzzed with a text from Leo, my heart lit up. And I knew maybe Mom was right. Just like when I was little and she could read me like a book, she’d maybe called this. Which meant I really was in more trouble than I thought.
Chapter Sixteen
“It’s too much,” I said, and Leo shook his head.
“Don’t start this again. Hospital bills are expensive in America from what I hear. And I didn’t go overboard. I simply gave you enough so you don’t have to worry.”
I sighed. The money from his accountant had hit my bank, and it was more than I’d expected or wanted. I felt guilty and frustrated. Still, as he held the door for me to the studio, I tried not to think too much about it. I would pay him back once I got back on my feet—literally. I was determined.
“Did you reserve the entire studio for us?” I asked, changing the subject with a grin on my face as we walked into Julia’s Paint and Sips the next afternoon.
“I might have pulled a few strings,” Leo admitted with a shrug.
“I thought I was supposed to be the tour guide,” I argued with a smile.
Leo sighed. “Well, I’m stealing your job I guess then.”
“You and everyone else,” I said but laughed.
“There you two are. I’m a fan of romantic gestures, so this one was perfect! Now who’s ready to get painting?” Julia asked animatedly once we were inside. She had big red hair that reminded me of the school bus stories my mom used to read to me as a child. She clapped her dainty hands together and then scurried away to get the aprons from the desk. Two canvases were set up in the classroom, and hers was up front.
“I’ve always wanted to do this but never got a chance,” I said. Julia’s Paints and Sips opened the year after I left for New York, and I hadn’t really had time to come back for it. Correction. I hadn’t made time.
“I know. You mentioned it at the beach, so I thought it would be a fun thing to do.”
Julia pulled a stool over to the canvas for me. “Here, Darling. Let’s adjust the canvas a little bit. And then how about we get the wine pouring as a warmup?”
“Sounds great,” I said as I put my apron on. Leo tied it for me, and I tried not to shudder as I felt his breath on my neck.
“I can’t believe you remembered me mentioning that,” I said as Julia scurried away again to retrieve libations.
He shrugged. “I listen to everything you say.”
I smiled at that, trying not to think about Brad sitting across from me dinner after dinner on his phone. It was nice to have someone who paid attention.
