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13
LAYLA
“When can I look?” Aria asked with a pout.
She stood on the other side of my easel while Lyndi and Shelby stood where they could watch me work. I grinned, keeping my eyes on the task at hand. “When I tell you.”
We’d positioned me in such a way that the other guests were free to stand behind me, but I could still tell Aria and Will to keep their eyes off. I wanted them to be wowed by the end result. The point was to do the live painting in front of the guests, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t surprise the bride and groom with the finished product.
Aria sighed wistfully. “I can’t believe you’re painting a portrait of us right here in the moment. It’s seriously the coolest thing ever. Thanks again for showing that stuff to your mom, Shel. She told me you had a hand in this amazing gift, too.”
“Of course,” she replied. “I was so excited when I saw those videos, and Layla is knocking it out of the park. You’re going to love it.”
“Stop teasing me,” Aria wailed.
I laughed as I put some finishing touches on her gown. She looked radiant tonight. The gown she’d bought off the rack that day at the bridal shop couldn’t have been more perfect for her. It had a sweetheart neckline and an A-frame silhouette. Tiny flowers with pearls and beads dotted the bodice, growing sparser the further down they went. It was the right amount of flair while still remaining classic and elegant, just like her.
“I’m almost done, don’t worry,” I said. “Besides, you want Will to be with you when you see it, right? Where is he?”
Aria looked around, her eyes sparkling as she scanned the faces under the big white tent. “He’s probably with the guys, partying it up. I swear, these Marine weddings remind me of birthday balls with all the guys in their blues.”
My cheeks warmed as I remembered the ball I’d attended with Zac when we were dating. When he’d shown up at our house in his dress blues to pick me up, I’d almost choked on my tongue. I’d seen Marines in blues before, and they were definitely a sight to behold. But that night, my particular Marine had me swooning so hard I thought I’d never survive the evening.
“You know, I think we messed up by not taking videos of this for a TikTok channel of your own, Lay,” Lyndi said.
Shelby hummed behind me. “Oh, true. I bet you could build up a huge following and book enough weddings to quit your day job.”
I snorted, keeping my eyes on the painting. Being an artist in any capacity other than a hobbyist was a dream I’d never fully explored. Lyndi bonded with our English professor mom over reading books, but Mom and I connected more on the field of education. At one point, I’d wanted to teach art, but I’d been worried that job opportunities wouldn’t be as great as with English. Plus, I think at the time I didn’t feel confident enough that Icouldteach art. In some ways, I probably still wasn’t. But I enjoyed my job immensely and was happy to create art on the side.
“That would be so cool,” Aria added. “I haven’t seen this painting yet, but I’ve seen so many of your other ones. I’m sure a business would be a huge success.”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure if I’m ready for something like that. But I have to admit, thishasbeen fun.”
“Well, depending on how tonight goes,” Aria said, tapping her fingers together with a rueful smile, “I could always recommend your services to my clients. Then maybe after you do a few more you’ll know if it’s something you want to pursue.”
Lyndi nudged me. “We’ll make sure to take videos of those ones.”
“Gee, thanks,” I said with a shake of my head, putting the final touches on Aria’s wedding gown with an iridescent pearl color that I’d ordered specifically for this.
“Uh, hang on,” Aria said.
Something in her tone caused me to look up, and she was staring with wide eyes over my head. “What?” I turned to see, but Lyndi and Shelby were in my way. I looked back to Aria and her face was totally neutral again. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, sorry. I thought I saw something. You focus on the painting. I don’t want you to accidentally give me a third eye or something.”
I giggled. “I’m already done with your face, you dork.”
“Still.”
“Okay, well, why don’t you go away so I can focus? I probably only have a minute or so left. Find your hubby.”
She squealed and clapped her hands, but I was too busy adding a bit of detail to Will’s uniform to look up at her again. She said something in a hushed tone to Lyndi and Shelby, and the three of them left, immediately replaced by a few wedding guests who wanted to watch me work.
At first, I’d been terrified at the idea of painting in front of people for such an important reason, but now that I was almost done, I realized it wasn’t so scary after all. Even with the noise of the reception and the peopleoohingandaahingover my shoulder, I’d still been able to focus. And yeah, maybe that confidence boost from Zac had helped.
Sitting up straight, I put my brush down, my eyes scanning over the piece from top to bottom. I didn’t want to call the bride and groom over to see their gift until I was absolutely sure it was finished. Tilting my head to the side as I analyzed the portrait, I smiled. It was done. And it wasgood.
“Told you,” a low voice said in my ear, causing goose bumps to rise up along my neck.
