Page 35 of Embers of Torment

"Let me see what they have open." Jace pulled his cell phone from his backpack and googled the business. "They have three spots available for their two o'clock class this afternoon and a few openings for their noon and three o'clock sessions tomorrow. Their evening classes are all booked."

"I wouldn't mind going today. Can you reserve it, and I'll reimburse you? It's not a date, so I should pay for myself."

"How about I take care of the cost of the classes, and you spring for an early dinner? There's an artisanal pizza place next door."

"Deal. Can you drive, or do you want to take the T?"

"I don't mind driving. How about we meet in the lobby at quarter after one?"

"Yep, I'll be there."

"Then I better book the class before we lose the spots." Jace returned to his phone, tapped a few times, and typed on the screen. "Done. That was easy."

"Cool." I relaxed in my chair, taking in the scene along the waterfront while secretly stealing glances at Jace. I was struck with a rush of excitement when I thought about our upcoming excursion, and I had to admit. A little piece of me wished we weren't going as friends.

After parking in the public lot on Exeter Street, we walked a half block down Newbury to Canvas Paint Bar. Climbing the short flight of stairs, we found ourselves in what looked like an art studio with an array of colorfully painted canvases decorating the brick walls. A young woman named Gwen greeted us warmly upon arrival. She checked us in and led us to one of several tables for four that filled the room. A second workshop with a glass-paneled double door was visible to our right, allowing multiple classes.

"Tamra will be your instructor this evening, and she should be starting your class in about ten minutes," Gwen said, smiling pleasantly. "In the meantime, feel free to check the place out. The restrooms are down the hallway. There's a nook in the corner with a cleanup station and a display of extra paint in case you need more. We also have an assortment of aprons hanging on the wall. Make sure you put one on before you start. We serve food and beverages, which you can order from the bar in the back. Other than that, have fun."

"Thanks," Jace and I said in unison.

Gwen left to greet a group of six who had come through the door, ultimately escorting them to the other classroom.

I scanned our table. Staff had set up each seat as a personal workstation containing a miniature easel with a blank canvas. Paint, brushes, and the rest of our supplies lay beside them.

Jace inspected his. "I think I'm going to enjoy this."

"Yeah, me too. I'm glad you suggested it."

"We should put our aprons on and get something to drink."

I followed Jace to the nook in the back. Taking the apron he handed me, I slipped it on and adjusted the neck strap. I was reaching back to tie it when Jace stepped behind me and took the strings from my hands. I could feel him gently tugging. Then he leaned over my shoulder.

"How's that? Tight enough."

"Yep. Perfect." Goosebumps worked their way up my arms and across my shoulders.

"Now to the bar. What do you want to drink? It's my treat."

Attempting to control the havoc his nearness was doing to my body, I spun around and focused on the menu on the wall. "How about a pineapple mimosa? I've never had one of those."

Jace went to the counter and ordered two mimosas. We took our drinks to our stations, now joined by another couple who introduced themselves as David and Victoria.

Victoria smiled at our amused expressions. "I see you caught that. Victoria and David, just like the Beckhams."

"That makes it easy to remember," Jace chuckled.

"Hello. Everybody, take your seat, please. We're going to get started." A dark-haired woman wearing an apron and a microphone headset spoke to us from a stage by the front window. A stand full of supplies was on her left, and a table containing an easel holding a beautiful nightscape was to her right. "I'm Tamra. I'll be your instructor this evening. We'll replicate this dusky mountain scene during our class thisafternoon." Tamra removed the painting and propped it beside the easel. She replaced it with a blank canvas.

"Whoa, that's gorgeous. I hope mine comes out something like it," I said, shaking my head.

"If not, that's all right. Nothing wrong with moonflowers," Jace laughed.

"True." I couldn't help grinning at him.

"Okay, everyone. We're going to begin with the background," Tamra said, regaining our attention. "We'll paint the top half in horizontal sections in royal blue, baby blue, green blue, and then yellow. Then we'll divide the bottom half into two layers of orange and cornflower blue. So, let's start on the top edge and paint a two-and-a-half-inch strip in royal blue." Tamra picked up her tray of acrylic paints and a brush and painted the first layer while we followed along. Finished with the royal blue, she worked her way down the canvas with the other colors.

I concentrated on the task as instructed while Jace and I peeked at each other's work. Tamra walked around the room to check our progress.

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