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"He's remained steadfastly single ever since," Claire said, continuing her description of my would-be suitor. "Despite having hordes of young female fans, I may add. Some of his work has been used for CD covers for African musicians and so he's quite famous in local music circles. He's very good looking, in case you didn’t notice."
"You think so? "
"He is." Claire smiled suggestively, and I smiled back, but her expression bothered me. I wasn't in the market and although I noticed handsome men, my mind didn't go any farther.
A few moments later, while I was standing examining another work, Sefton joined me once more. I turned to him, and looked him in the eye.
"You're awfully cheeky to pretend those paintings weren't yours."
He shrugged, a guilty smile on his lips. "It's the only way I get an honest response to my work. If people know who I am, it's all praise and ohhh, and ahhh. I hope you don't mind too much, but I was pleased to get your very thoughtful insights. A lot of people don't get it."
I shook my head. "Claire told me you're from South Africa."
"Johannesburg, born and raised. Lived there all my life."
We stood in silence for a moment. I felt awkward, not wanting to speak with him, but not wanting to appear rude or make a scene.
Finally, he changed the subject.
"Claire says you spent time in the relief camps in Niger and wrote about it for your honors thesis."
"Claire's been gossiping about me, has she?"
"Only on my insistence. I like to know about potential…" he said and paused, as if searching for the right word. "Students. Helps me understand their needs."
"Yes, I was there for a while," I said, reading a double meaning into everything he said. "Mangaize."
He nodded his head but said nothing else.
"I'm teaching an open studio class at the Inst
itute. You're welcome to join. There's always room for one more easel, especially for someone as lovely as you."
I was flattered but still felt uncomfortable that he might have been at the dungeon the other night and saw me there. I was certainly not going to take his class. He was far too suggestive. It wasn't that I felt attracted to him, for my every thought and sense was focused on Drake, but I didn't want Sefton's attention. I felt certain he would always be flirty, trying to get what he wanted.
"Thanks for the offer. If there's nothing else, I'll consider it."
"Ahh," he said. "If there's nothing else available?" He shook his head softly. "I'm used to being first choice. I'm crushed, Ms. McDermott." With that, he bowed, a sly smile on his face and left me standing alone.
Claire came back to my side immediately. "So, will you take a class with Sefton? I spoke to him about your interest in taking a studio course. Did he offer you a spot?"
"He did," I said, but shrugged. "I'll think about it."
"You should say yes," she said, her voice surprised. "Goodness, Kate, he's the best. He's the college's artist in residence. It's a privilege to be in one of his studio classes."
"He's," I said and looked over at him. "He's a bit too flirty."
"So?" she said, her arms crossed. "You're engaged. You're not dead. Really, Kate, most art students would be thrilled to be invited to take part in his class."
I inhaled deeply, debating whether I should. Drake would never approve if he knew that Sefton might have been at the dungeon and knew he'd been flirting with me.
"I'll think about it," I said, but it was only to get her to stop pestering me about it.
"Kate, take my advice, offered in all sincerity," she said, taking a sip from her wine glass. "Keep busy. Keep so busy you barely notice that Drake is gone so much of the time. And he will be gone so much of the time."
"I have a lot to do getting the house set up."
"That grows old really quickly. Take the class. Keep yourself as busy as Drake is. That way, you'll appreciate him even more when you two are together. If he thinks you're busy as well, he'll feel lucky to have time with you." She took my arm and leaned closer as we walked around the room.
