Page 28 of Partnering with the Artist

He stares at me, gaze cryptic, simmering with drops of concern. “Instructions?” His head tilts, then he nods. “Yes, of course. You’re right. You’ve been in a relationship; I haven’t. So what you’re saying must be true.”

Oh good. I’m glad we came easily to this conclusion. I’ll pay the overcharge now, then work for free for a little while. He pays me well enough and draws for hours each day, so it shouldn’t even take a week to fix things.

“Follow these instructions, Maelin,” he says, twirling a finger in the air. “Put your money away.” He marches to the passenger-side door, opening it for me. “And get in the car before the last rays of light scorch your poor skin.”

I blink.

He waits.

I don’t put my money away as I approach the door. “Zakery—”

“You’re not very good with instructions.” He cuts his eyes toward the car. “In.”

Tensing, I do as he asks, then I crinkle the bill when he opens and shuts his door. I can’t decide whether he shut it a little too hard or not, but his sigh squeezes a fist around my lungs all the same. “Put it up, princess,” he warns as he pulls his seatbelt on. “I don’t need your money.”

“But…”

Leaning over the console between us, he cups my face in his cold hand and repeats, “I don’t need your money. I…mightneed a kiss.”

My heart flutters, leaping into my ribs.

“Kiss me like one of your chocolate cakes, princess.”

My heart hits the roof of my mouth.

Before I can recalibrate my brain, Zakery pulls back, laughing. He sticks his key in the ignition, and the enginerumbles to life. “Imagine that. A first kiss in the parking lot of a craft and fabric store.” He pulls out of the spot and heads toward the main road. “I have got to work on my romanticism if we’re going to pull this off… Don’t worry.” He smiles at me. “I’ll do some research before we’re acting in front of idiot.”

I…am not worried.

Not even a little.

Swallowing, I catch sight of myself in the side mirror, and—ha ha…—yeah.

Pink and white.

They really do go well together, don’t they?

Chapter 10

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Sleep is for the weak.

Maelin

Did I sleep much this past week while getting adjusted to my work schedule with Zakery? No. But I’m sure that I’ve ascended beyond a need for rest. If I listen to my new boss’s propaganda, I should no longer rely on such mortal things. In my life, there’s only the laundry, my sewing machine, and the promise that Monday will come, bringing with it another week of lovely, lovely time with Zakery.

Who is kind and reassuring and funny and doesn’t make me feel like an inconvenience even when I very much am. Who compliments me as though I’m priceless. Who’s fake dating me to help me get over a man who made me feel worthless so often I would believe it if I didn’t have my family to remind me I’m important to them.

Zakery could have asked me to pose for him in settings outside his bedroom.

He could have easily convinced me, or bribed me with time and a half, whenever he felt the need to draw me in public.

Instead, in one day, for that one beautiful picture he drew at Brew Tea, he handed me over a thousand dollars of my favorite things and said I was worth at least twice that outstanding gift.

He not only makes me feel important, he makes me feel…desirable. Wanted. Beautiful. Like someone who isn’t a burden or an annoyance or…a disappointment.

I haven’t felt like this since before intimacy started coming with the dread that Harry would ask for more then get upsetwhen I saidno.

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