Page 28 of Wet Paint

We stepped out into the hallway and kept walking until we were around the corner, out of sight, behind a set of tall bookshelves near the back of the building.

Then I stopped, turned to Will, and finally let out the breath I’d been holding.

“That could’ve gone worse,” I said quietly with a nervous laugh.

He nodded, watching me closely. “But it could still get worse.”

I leaned into his chest, feeling his arms wrap tightly around me. I needed to be close to him.

“I don’t care,” I murmured. “They can’t take you away from me.”

“Not unless we give them a reason,” he whispered into my hair, cupping the back of my head with one hand. “So we don’t. Not anymore. Not here.”

Turning my head to look up at him, I whispered, “But at your place?”

His smile was small but it said so much. “Yeah, at my place. And you’ll be graduating next summer,” he reminded me, making it sound like a silent promise.

Everything between us had to be quieter. Hidden better.

But it didn’t mean it was over.

If anything, it made me want him even more.

WILL

Normally, the smell of fresh paint and turpentine in the studio grounded me. But it was different today. It was noisy, and more students than usual filled the space.

I walked in with a sketchbook tucked under one arm and a box of new supplies for the class under the other. The students were already spread out, brushes moving, canvases quietly filling with color. There was a strange tension in the room, but the moment I saw Ivy sitting quietly in front of her painting, my nerves eased a little.

She was perched on her stool, hunched a little, brush held just above the canvas but not moving. I wanted a painting of her like that in my house.

Her stillness wasn’t concentration. It was tension.

I followed her gaze before she even turned her head, and that’s when I sawEleyna.

She walked in with her head high, her ponytail swishing behind her like some kind of statement. She went straight to her usual seat, smiling at her friends before her eyes locked on mine.

I looked away, hating the way she grinned, feeling way too damn proud. I wasn’t looking at her because I wanted to. I was looking because I wanted to make sure she wouldn’t bother Ivy.

I turned away, putting my things away before clearing my throat and turning my attention to the students. “All right. Since there’s so many of you here today, I want you to be patient with me. I will take my time to look at your work, and answer questions if you have any. That said…enjoy painting.”

Some muttered “thank you” or gave me a nod, others turned away without a word, way too focused on what they’re working on.

My gaze flickered over to Ivy for a moment, and the tiny smile she gave me made me relax a little. She was okay, and she was telling me not to worry. I gave her a nod, then headed to the first student who had a question.

While I took my time with each student, I kept getting closer to Eleyna. And the closer I got, the more I understood what she was saying. I didn’t hear everything. Just a few bits and pieces of her conversation with her friend.

When the wordsalone, studio, so wrongfell, I knew she was talking about Ivy and me. I didn’t react. Didn’t want to put fuel to the fire, but when I heard her call Ivy anembarrassmentand aslut, I’ve had enough.

I looked over at Ivy to make sure she didn’t hear any of that, but she dropped her brush into her water cup, her hand trembling.

My jaw tensed, and I took the few steps toward Eleyna. I kept my expression blank when I told her, “Come with me.”

Her brows lifted. “Oh? Why?”

“I need a word. Outside.”

She hesitated, looked around, trying to decide whether to make a scene. She must’ve decided against it, because she followed me through the door leading into the hallway.

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