Page 9 of Cupid's Shot

Once my storefront has cleared out, I check my phone again. Still nothing. I guess I didn’t really leave a conversation starter or anything.It’s my move, as he said.

Sarah Anderson

Would you like to get a drink later?

The bubbles immediately appear.

Aaron Olson

On my off days, I prefer not to spend time in a bar.

Sarah Anderson

Understandable.

Aaron Olson

When are you free today?

Look at him making a move.Excited, I hope it means he does want to see me today.

Sarah Anderson

Well, now. I just finished a class, and the studio has had almost no foot traffic the past couple of weeks. I could close up for the day.

Aaron Olson

Can I come by? I’ve been meaning to check it out.

11

“This place is so cool!” Aaron says, stepping into the studio. I immediately notice that he is, unfortunately, all bundled up today, wearing a hat and jacket with jeans and boots. He’s still all man, looking sexy as ever.

“Thanks.” I smile, noticing how the green hat amplifies his light brown eyes while my eyes linger on his amazing bone structure.

“These pieces on the wall. They’re yours, right?”

“Yeah,” I say, a bit surprised he knows it’s my art.

“You have a point of view. I don’t know all the fancy art words. But that’s clearly aSarah Anderson.”

“Too self-promotional?” I ask, although I’m blushing a little.

"Too self-promotional?” he repeats, looking up at me from the watercolor kit he was just examining. “This is your studio. Of course you should have your art for sale.” Aaron is taking in the craft kits before saying, “You’ve always been so talented.”

Our eye contact is too intense, and I break away. “This is our bestselling kit.” I gesture to the needlepoint pattern of Geneva Lake. “The tourists love it.”

He smiles. “Remember that pointillism piece you did of the school mascot? I always thought that was the coolest painting I’d ever seen," Aaron reminisces.

I blush slightly again, my heart fluttering that he remembers that painting. “It was my first commission. So, yeah, this is the space,” I say, feeling a little nervous. “I teach classes, sell art kits, and also use it to craft and paint after hours.”

"That’s great to hear you’re still doing art."

I deflect, not knowing how much I should read into Aaron Olson lobbying to be the president of my very small fan club. “My parents are thrilled I’m putting my MFA to work. This is probably one of the best-case scenarios for my degree.” I laugh.

“Running a maker's studio? Why downplay it? You’re so impressive.”

I shrug, loving that he thinks that.

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