The landscape itself blurred as if someone were driving by, the details soft and blended together. I felt like I was standing in a moment, fleeting and special because it was going to be gone in an instant. Except it was right here in front of me, immortalized in a way that made me stand still andsavor.
I got it now, why people came to this place. There was something about it. I made a mental note to check out the state park nearby, as I had a feeling the landscape was responsible for a lot of artists’ inspiration. Maybe it would loosen up my own creativity.
“My dad painted that one.”
I jumped and spun around. “Oh god,” I gasped.
“Sorry,” Avery laughed. She stepped up beside me, her arms crossed. "Didn't mean to scare you.”
“I’m just jumpy.” I looked at the painting again. “I keep hearing about your dad. Everyone talks about him.”
Her smile wilted with the edge of sadness. “It's hard not to. He was special.”
I swallowed hard. I didn’t mean to make her feel sad. “Did you get your art sold . . . ?”
“I actually talked them out of that one.”
“What?” I gasped. “But they wanted it. Wouldn’t that have been a big sale?”
“Yeah, but they wantallof my work. I asked them to commission me for a series instead, and they're going to have an early dinner down the street to discuss it. It's not that I don't want to sell the piece up front to them, but I'd like to have work for people who come through town too. I think if I threw paint at a canvas, those two would buy it.”
I laughed. “Oh my, what a curse.”
She snickered. “I know, I know. I’m being a little bratty about it. I’m very thankful for them, honestly. They’re funding our big house-building project.”
“You, Levi, and Mateo?”
“Yep. I’m excited. My dad would be thrilled.”
My smile stayed in place but softened as I focused on the art again. “This is a nosy question, but . . . Well, do you ever run into any issues? With having multiple partners and being in a small Texas town?”
Avery hummed. “Well, I’m lucky because I grew up here, so I know everyone. I’m sure there are some folks who disapprove, but they haven’t said anything to us. Most people here are very welcoming. They don’t care who you love because it’s none of their business.” She nodded. “Whynot is a good town. It has its issues like any other place, but the people are good. It’s safe. And for that, I’m grateful.”
All of my assumptions about this place had been proven wrong so far. Not only was I impressed, it made me realize I’dbeen living in a bubble. Getting out of my comfort zone was turning out to be good for me in more ways than one.
“So your dad was an artist too? Is your mom one too?”
Avery shook her head. “Not at all.” She laughed. “No, she doesn’t have a single artistic bone in her body. You’ll meet her at some point, I’m sure. It’s a small town, so everyone has been gossiping about you and Dallas going to lunch.”
“Oh.”Oh. Now, I blushed. So that meant Avery knew we'd gone on a coffee date? So much for being sly about literally anything. “Uh . . .”
Avery held up a hand, a silver band with gems glistening on her ring finger. “Listen, before you feel awkward, Dallas is an adult. So are you. Contrary to how my brothers acted about me dating, I don't get involved in their love lives.”
“For fuck’s sake,” I sighed. “Dallas mentioned a little bit about overreacting to you dating, but I didn’t realize he was serious.”
Avery snickered. “Let me tell you mystory. But you can't hold it against them. They're idiots, but Dallas and Austin meant well. Plus, Dallaswasthe voice of reason.”
“I want to hear all about it.”
She looped her arm in mine. “Excellent. I’ll show you the other rooms.”
I felt like I'd just made a new best friend.
Even though Avery was much shorter than me, she steered me around with ease. We drifted back down the hall toward an open doorway. “Okay so, you haven’t met Levi and Mateo yet. Levi used to be a hockey player. Mateo is a firefighter.”
“So what you’re saying is that they’re both hot and that you’re the luckiest girl in the world?”
Her smile turned into a satisfied smirk. “Yeah, they are. Mateo and I were friends for a couple years. I went to college atthe University of Texas, and then came back home after my dad passed away. And he was here.”
