Page 20 of Her Painter Bear Mate

Clarissa

Clarissa stared at the forest of Bearton, barely paying attention to the view or the students in her class. Her thoughts had been all over the place ever since she made the big mistake of kissing Dee. She didn't know what had come over her but regretted it after seeing the spooked look on Dee's face. As expected, she hadn't shown up for the outdoor painting class today.

"Idiot," Clarissa muttered to herself.

"What's that, dear?" Gerard asked from a few feet away.

Her face flushed hot. "Nothing, just lost in thought." She checked her phone, realising the class should've ended fifteen minutes ago but she hadn't been keeping track.

She got up from her foldable chair and clapped her hands. "That's it for today, good work, all."

Everyone packed up their easels and Clarissa made sure they weren't leaving any rubbish behind. Bork helpfully brought a brush that had fallen on the ground to her, carrying it proudly like it was a great possession.

She scratched his chin. "You're a good boy."

On the way back to the campervan, she wondered what would happen next time she ran into Dee. Would it be a meeting at the craft store next week or would multiple years pass again?

She didn't know and she wasn't sure it mattered. No matter how much or little time would pass, it was likely going to be awkward.

Bork let out an excited bark and charged ahead. Clarissa quickened her pace, curious to what was causing this reaction.

Another bark mingled with Bork's and her pulse quickened. Could it be...?

To Clarissa's utter surprise, she spotted Dee standing by her van with Bork begging her for attention, much to Millie's frustration.

Of all the ways she expected to meet, this wasn't one of them. She bit her lip, patiently waiting for everyone else to disperse before she made her way over to Dee. The conversation they were about to have was likely going to be awkward and she didn't want any witnesses for that.

"Hey. You're late, class is over," Clarissa said, hoping a little joke would set her at ease.

Dee let out a chuckle. "I gathered. I am capable of telling time."

"That makes one of us," Clarissa muttered under her breath. She leaned down to pat Millie's head, mostly just stalling for time. "So what brings you here?"

"Just giving the dog a stretch," Dee said with a shrug.

That was so clearly a lie. They were all the way in Bearton and she conveniently happened to be waiting at the van at the end of class. It certainly looked like she'd been waiting but Clarissa wasn't going to question it, not yet. She wasn't ready to hear the answer, which was likely to be a rejection.

Clarissa leaned down to fuss Millie's spotted head, just so she had something to do. Millie basked in the affection and let out a happy yip.

"Can I see your studio?" Dee asked quite suddenly.

"Sure?" Clarissa gestured to the van. "There's not much to see."

Dee stuck her head in, taking stock of everything inside with a keen and knowledgeable eye. She would no doubt have all sorts of critiques and suggestions on how to improve the set-up, not that Clarissa minded.

"Nice," Dee commented.

"Nice?" Clarissa chuckled in disbelief. "That's all you have to say? No remarks about my brush station or the brand of paint thinner I use or the layout of my paints?"

"No, it's a cool set-up."

Clarissa regretted the kiss even more now that the other woman was no longer capable of being her unfiltered honest self. Her studio was a van, for god's sake. It was a miracle she even managed to create some half-decent paintings out of it and it likely paled in comparison to whatever fancy studio Dee owned.

Bork barked and hopped into the van, clearly wondering what was going on. He almost whacked his tail into a wet painting before he curled up in his bed. His eyes closed into happy lines and he let out a long sigh like he'd just come back from work.

With a sigh, she turned to face Dee. "Why are you really here?"

"Well..." The hesitation on Dee's face didn't look good. She tickled Bork behind his ear while she thought. "I just wanted to make sure that, umm, that kiss wasn't going to make things weird."

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