Page 56 of Partnering with the Artist

If I’m honest, I don’t want to go home tonight, but I know I need to slow down, at least a little. If Harry is any indication, I fall fast, and then I cling, no matter what happens, until the moment when I’m thrown aside.

I can’t take that again.

My heart won’t be able to survive it.

Tugging on my sun hat, I watch quaint buildings and shop fronts bursting with floral colors stream by outside the window. “Yes, I’m dating Zakery.”

“What happened last night?”

Nothing. Everything.

So much.

So little.

I shrug.

Her gaze cuts toward me, and she lets out a breath. “I figured it was bound to happen. That man isobsessedwith you.”

“Professionally.”

“Right.Professionallyhe takes you out to eat at elegant tea parlors and furnishes a room across from his with all your favorite things. That’srealprofessional. Actually, Helena offered the very same thing to me once. I told her no, of course, because I hate her. But she tried. For the sake ofprofessionalism.”

You know what? Zakerydidfurnish a room across from his with all my favorite things, and I am giving them up for an entire night, in order to spend time with my turd of a sister.

Understandably, my lip juts in a pout. “This relationship development isn’t a big deal right now. I think we’re just testing the waters. Seeing what might happen.”

Weabsolutely haven’tdiscussed meeting Mom and Dad as a precursor to getting marriedat all. Not even once.

Slow. Steady. Stable. That’s me in this relationship. Altogether very, very rational and reasonable and…

My phone buzzes in my pocket, so I slip it out and peek over my sunglasses at the screen.

It’s an unknown number. But I think I know who it is.

Unknown:Miss you.

Unbidden, my toes curl as I smile and add Zakery to my contacts.

Maelin:I hope dinner is less eventful tonight without me there.

Zakery:I hope the disaster that was dinner last night doesn’t keep you from staying over again.

Maelin:If my sister keeps yammering about our relationship, I might just live in my studio so long as you don’t mind bringing me food sometimes, lol

Zakery:I would be delighted to feed my seamstress mouse in her little studio full-service apartment. Hoarding your beauty away all for myself and spoiling you endlessly would be a dream come true.

“Maelin, are you paying attention to me at all?” Morana interjects into my lovely, not at all conspiratory, conversation.

My smile transforms into another jutted lip. “Mhm. Absolutely.”

Maelin:I think Morana is in need of attention.

“Oh really?” she declares. “What did I just say?”

Zakery:Don’t let me keep you.

“Maelin, are you paying attention to me at all,” I parrot.

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