Britt nodded. “As long as you don’t mind hanging out with a nervous ball of anxiety with a perspiration problem when under stress.”
“I can handle it. But are you sure you want to spend time with a thirty-year-old warehouse worker who only has a GED and lives with another guy who is barely out of high school?”
“What’s wrong with a GED?” she asked without hesitation. “And warehouse workers are crucial members of the workforce. Without y’all, commerce would grind to a halt. Your living situation sounds practical too.”
He truly hadn’t looked at it that way. “Thanks, Britt. I appreciate that.”
“At least you don’t live with your mother.” She headed out the door.
“Do you two get along?” he said, following her.
She nodded and pushed the chairs they’d used under the table.
“Do you like living with her?”
Britt turned around. “I do. I pay my fair share too. But I’m twenty-eight years old. I should be out on my own.”
“Who says?”
“I do.” She waved her hand. “When do you want to meet again?”
They set up a time for the following Monday—his next day off. “Okay, you come up with an art assignment, and I’ll figure out some things for us to do—when you’re ready,” he emphasized.
Nodding, she said, “That sounds like a plan.”
After collecting their drawings, they headed to the front of the store. X was straightening an endcap filled with mini canvaseswhile Maude stood behind the counter scrolling on her phone. “Mondays,” she sighed. “They’re so slow, it’s almost not worth being open.” Then she looked up, her eyes brightening. “All thesuppliesin order?” She gave them a cheeky grin.
“Maude,” X said, his tone holding a slight warning edge.
“I’m just teasing them.” She came around the counter. “Let’s see the masterpieces.”
Britt easily showed them hers, and Maude made the appropriate awe-filled comments without going overboard.
Hunter held back, folding his into quarters on the creased lines. “Mine needs more work.”
“Oh, I’m sure it’s wonderful.” Maude stepped beside him. “I’d really like to see it.”
He looked at Britt, who nodded and smiled.
Reluctantly he unfolded it, and Maude took it from him. She studied it for a second, and he regretted giving in.
Then she grinned. “Marvelous. This is really impressive.”
He glanced at her, wondering if she was buttering his biscuit a little too much. But she seemed genuine. “Thanks,” he said, unable to hide his grin. It had been a long time since someone had showed so much appreciation for something he’d done. A very long time, and he soaked it in.
Britt’s phone buzzed and she pulled it out of her pocket and looked at the screen. “It’s Savannah,” she said. “I’ve got to take this.” She walked away and answered the phone.
“I offer a beginner drawing class on Saturday mornings, if you’re interested.” Maude handed him back the seashell drawing.
“Thanks, but I can’t. I work on Saturdays. Second shift.” He was about to tell her that Britt had agreed to give him lessons but decided not to. Britt could give them the news if she wanted to. They’d find out anyway when he showed up next Monday.
Britt returned. “I’ve got to go,” she said, her nervous expression back in place. “Savannah wants to look at dresses this afternoon before the shops close.”
“Ah, a summer wedding.” Maude clasped her hands together. “I do love those.”
“Not me,” X said. “I never understood why any sane person would get married during the boiling Texas summer.”
“True love doesn’t care about temperature,” Maude said.
