Page 35 of Partnering with the Artist

Silent, I watch his mind race,what ifs bombarded byno, no. I watch pain gleam and his brows knit as—in barely a few short minutes—he talks himself out of the idea. “I just couldn’t hope to capture the angelic nature. There’s no way. And without an undo button no less?” He mutters, “What am I on today?”

I am certain I have no idea.

But.

I do know one thing.

Whatever he’s on, it’s not the kind of drug Harry seemed to be taking when he cast me aside.

I say, “I can make a robe like that, if you want to try. It doesn’t need to be oil paints and canvas. It can just be your LeoPad.”

His attention hits me. “You…think I could manage such an astounding feat?”

If I can manage working with all that sheer fabric, yeah. He can totally do this. “I think your art is incredible, and you are more than able to capture my likeness accurately. You…actually make me look more beautiful than I feel.”

“Poppycock.”

I blink. Poppy what now? Who actually says that?

He lifts a finger. “I’ll not allow those insults, you know. I’ve told you before.”

I fold my arms. “How come I can’t say anything negative about myself, but you can undermine your skills all the time?”

His mouth opens. His gaze drifts. His finger curls. “That…is an excellent point.”

I smile.

“It must be because you’re a goddess, and I’m merely of mortal flesh.”

I frown.

He reaches for my chin. “Oh…that’s quite fun. I haven’t yet painted you with a frown. I really should include a range of emotion in my character sketches. That’s common sense, I fear.”

I can’t hold the frown. I laugh. “Yes, I think it really is.”

He smiles, tapping my lips with his finger before pulling away. “Truly. Where has my mind been?”

Picturing me on beds in sheer gowns, clearly.

But.

I’m not going to tell him that.

Or think about how I accepted to do it when I could have been free after he shot himself down.

Facing the bed set again, he says, “I think a bed would bea good idea. I want to make sure you’re sleeping enough, and I know you won’t be able to do laundry overnight if you’re safe and sound in your little studio bed. Do you want a car as well, for the freedom of choice? Or would you prefer I take you home at your request?”

I do think I’d prefer henotbuy me a car on top of everything else. “You can take me home, if it’s not that much trouble.”

“No trouble at all. I enjoy the way the street lights bathe you in the evening. Surely soon it shall inspire a new realm of dreams. Have you decided how you’d like to furnish your room yet?”

“Um.” My mind and head drift in the direction of the crafting cabinet. So many shelves. So many drawers. “Are you sure I don’t have a budget?”

“I’m sure.”

“You’re positive you want to do this? I can make you clothes in my bedroom. You’ve paid for the materials anyway, so it’s only right.”

“I am quite positive. Once we’re done here, we can look at paint and flooring, which we perhaps should have done first.” Sighing, he rubs his temple. “I don’t know where my mind is today.”

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