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“You don’t ski, plus I want to see your painting.”
“I can ice skate,” I mumbled. “The resort has . . . well used to have—I’m not sure if they still do, but they had a rink there. My family would go skiing and I would ice skate with my mom.”
“I told Milo I’d take a photo with you and the painting. They want to see, then we can leave.” Elliot leaned down and whispered in my ear, kissing my cheek before he stood back up. “Now the question is how do we get to it?”
We weaseled our way in and once the crowd dispersed to go see another painting, Elliot raised his phone and snapped a photo of me, smiling like a complete idiot next to my giant sunflowers. Once the awkwardness of standing there was over, I rushed back to him. I didn't want anyone to notice me as the artist. My picture was right next to my painting. If they were paying attention, it would be like last night all over again.
“Let me see.” I leaned my body over, and the instant he locked his phone screen, my phone buzzed in my pocket. “You sent it to me?”
“Started a group chat.” He wiggled his eyebrows before going to look at my painting once again. I pulled out my phone to see a new chat started, six circles sat up top—my people all right there.
Elliot: Check out my girl next to her million dollar painting.
My.
Girl.
I inhaled, sharp and quick. I wasn’t sure how to react to that. His girl. Elliot called mehis girlto our mutual friend group. My heart began to race as I became completely frozen in my spot. I probably looked like a lovesick fool, the heat in my cheeks pointing out the obvious.
My phone buzzed again, this time only Madeline’s photo looked back at me. Not in the group, a private message.
Madeline: Did Elliot just say what I think he just said?
And then a few seconds later . . .
Madeline: Absolutely stunning photo - but he did just call you his girl!?
I held back a smile, feeling like all I did these days was laugh or smile, I looked up at Elliot. He had moved on to the next painting, following the crowd of people as they jumped from landscape to landscape.
Me: Well - things have…happened.
Madeline: It's been a week!
Me: Well…
Madeline: Jamie! I. Need. Details.
Me: All in good time Mads, let me enjoy him a little longer.
I wanted to enjoy all of Elliot for a little longer. At that moment I was his girl, and I was going to bask in that glow. Moments later my phone dinged and dinged again . . . and again.
Clay: Holy shit, Jamie that’s amazing.
Phe: JAMIE! That’s gorgeous!
Milo: Madeline wants to hang it above the fireplace.
Elliot: Hell no, that’s my painting.
Madeline: Is NO ONE going to mention that Elliot called Jamie “his girl”???
Elliot: Well, she is. And Maddy - it’s my painting.
Clay: Jamie’s being awfully quiet.
Elliot: Maybe in the chat - but man her eyes are telling me a whole different story.
Dropping my arm to my side, my phone hitting my thigh with a thump, I pursed my lips and looked at Elliot. There I was, again, smiling for no reason.
