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“I don’t know who’s more difficult you or her.”
Heather pointed her soaked paintbrush at him. “I’ll let you have that one.” She cleared her throat. “Are we still on for dinner tomorrow night?”
“Yes, and then dinner at your mom's when she sets the date,” he said.
The butterflies increased in her stomach. “Yes.”
Allen whispered. “I can't wait.”
Chapter 18
“Tinsel will be okay?” Allen asked as he helped Heather into his truck.
“He’ll be fine with the Gomez’s,” she said, swallowing the giggles on the verge of coming out. It was unreal. She had no idea what his plans were for their date, but she mentioned that she liked Italian food as her guilty pleasure.
“Do you like to paint?” Allen asked.
“No, I can’t even draw a decent stick figure.”
He laughed. “I can’t wait to see it.”
She laughed but her lips parted. “Allen?”
“You’ll like it—I hope. If it’s too terrible, we’ll throw it away.”
“What… I don’t…”
He turned on the radio and she sat back in her seat. Where were they going that involved painting? Allen then pulled into the parking lot of The Magenta Bar. Heather heard of the new business in town but she never visited. Didn’t it include… this would not be pretty.
“We’re painting?” she asked, looking over at Allen.
He unclicked his seatbelt. “We’re going to try.”
“Oh boy.” Heather could try. She never backed down from a challenge. She swallowed thinking of the man she was with for the evening. Dismissing her doubts, she willed herself to stay in the moment.
Allen helped her out of his truck, and he took her free hand while she balanced herself finally walking without her crutch. She had made enough progress that she felt comfortable to walk by herself. She licked her lips as she laced her fingers with Allen. He didn’t pull away but opened the door for her to walk inside. The smell of paint filled her lungs and the class already gathered at blank canvases.
Allen confirmed their spot in class and he and Heather took their seats. Then their instructor walked inside, showing what they would be painting. Heather saw the wineglass as the choice of the evening.
She looked over at Allen. “You expect me to paint that?”
He rubbed his hands together. “I’m ready.”
“It’s going to look like a snake or worse.”
He laughed as the class started.
The art teacher stood on the platform. Heather secured her apron around her waist, noting the paint stains from sessions before her. A paper plate in front of her had several colors of paint, while three brushes sat in a tall plastic cup of water. She tied her curls into a ponytail only to hear Allen chuckle.
“You getting ready?”
“I don’t want this to get in my hair,” she said.
“Welcome everyone,” the instructor said. “My name is Paris, spelled like the city. I want to welcome you all to this class. We’ll have fun. How many of you this is your first time?” A few people raised their hands. Paris smiled. “Awesome! I think everyone’s here since I believe all of you checked in at the front desk. We have refreshments in the back. Are we ready?”
Heather blew out her cheeks, staring at the painting they were to imitate. Allen leaned closer, to where she felt his breath on her ear.
“You worried?” he asked
