Page 21 of Her Painter Bear Mate

"It's making things weird right now," Clarissa pointed out.

"A little. It didn't mean anything, okay?"

Clarissa felt herself frown and she leaned against her campervan for support. "You came all the way to Bearton to tell me the kiss didn't mean anything? Why?"

"I hoped you wouldn't ask that. This is going to sound kind of pathetic but I don't really have many people who would understand the whole painter's block thing and I enjoyed hanging out with you and I'd like to keep doing that. So, yeah, there." Dee pinched her nose. "I am making things weird. Just forget I came, okay?"

"No, no." Clarissa chased after her, almost grabbing her hand but thinking better of it. "I liked spending time with you too and I shouldn't have kissed you, it's my mistake."

Dee let out a white cloud. "I mean, it was a little my mistake too."

"You can't stop being competitive, can you?"

"Nope. So we're good?"

Clarissa nodded. If she were still a silly naïve teenager with a crush, this conversation would've been devastating but as a sensible adult with far too many responsibilities and too little time, this suited her just fine. Sure, it pinched her ego and her heart a little bit, but she would get over that. Especially if it meant she and Dee could actually be friends.

Dee's shoulders relaxed visibly and she patted the van. "Good. If we're back to normal, I can tell you it's a disaster in there. You need better ventilation, some of your brushes are fraying, and who organises their colours by name, not by priority?"

That was the Dee she knew.

Relieved and amused, Clarissa turned towards the other woman. "Alright, you've seen mine, now I want to see yours."

"Huh? You mean, you want to see my studio?" Dee's nose crinkled adorably.

"You catch on quick."

"Now?"

"No, not now. I've got to go back to the store and check on my dad." Clarissa held out her hand. "If you give me your phone, I'll put my number in. Then you can invite me over so we can hang out. Without things being weird," she added with a grin. She didn't actually expect Dee to listen until she was given an unlocked smartphone. Surprised by Dee's pliability, Clarissa punched in her digits and handed the device back.

For an adorable moment, Dee looked a bit unsure what to do with it. Then she slid her phone back into her pocket and nodded. "Right, I'll message you then?"

"Definitely do." A beat of silence hung between them where neither of them moved or spoke. Clarissa gestured to her van. "Do you need a lift back to Crescent Valley?"

A laugh escaped Dee's mouth. "Yes, please. I misjudged just how far it was and I'm frozen. Also, your class ran late."

"So you were waiting for me," Clarissa stated, a little pleased about that even if they'd just agreed that nothing would happen between them. Although if she was pedantic, they'd agreed not to let things get weird.

Dee rolled her eyes. "Shut up and drive."

THIRTEEN

Dee

Dee nervously ran her hand through her spiky dark hair in anticipation for Clarissa's visit. She didn't usually let people into her studio and she still wasn't sure why she agreed to this. Maybe it just meant she was desperate for this painter's block to be over.

The doorbell rang and she hurried to the door, beaten there by an excited Millie.

"Oh, it's not for you," she told the dog, pushing her out of the way. She twisted the door handle and opened the door, even more nervous now. It was already dark outside, courtesy of winter, and the first hint of the rising moon was visible low in the sky.

"Hi." Clarissa gave her a smile, still only wearing a fluffy jumper and a scarf instead of clothes that reflected it was winter. She did have lovely blushes on her cheeks that matched the colour of her hair and there was a flash of green nail polish when she waved.

Dee found the whole thing kind of charming.

"Hey." Dee tried to keep Millie from pushing through her legs but the spaniel was insistent. "Sorry, you're going to have to say hello to the dog or she's going to topple me over."

"Hi, Millie." Clarissa crouched down and raked her hands through the spaniel's fur, easily matching her enthusiasm. "Hello, you beautiful girl."

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