Page 15 of Curvy Crush
Evan smirks. “She is.” He nods, looking down at his food before taking a bite. “What about you? Did your parents support your dreams of being a photographer?”
“Well, I went to college and got my business degree. The photography thing wasn’t serious until later, when I’d already gotten my own place and moved out. They’re happy and supportive, though.”
“Any siblings?”
“Nope, it was always just me and Stella. I grew up right next door to her. Our parents were the best of friends. What about you?”
He shakes his head. “Nope, it’s just me. My mother and father split before I was even born, and she never seriously dated anyone, so it would’ve been impossible to have a sibling.”
“That must have been hard on her.”
“It was, but she made it work.”
“I couldn’t imagine having all of the pressure on me like that. I’m doing good if I’m keeping myself alive,” I laugh and he joins me.
“Me too.”
“Have you ever had dreams of being normal? You know, having a normal job, finding a wife, having kids, settling down?”
Evan nods. “I did, once, but it didn’t work out and it’s for the best. At least I can say that now.” He offers up a smile as he looks at me and I’m wondering why he’s saying this. Why add on thenow?
Is it because of me? No, surely not.
I finish my soup and move onto my salad. He finishes his sandwich and sits back to enjoy his drink. “Are you coming back to the studio, or are you done for the day?”
“I’m coming back. I want to get in a couple more hours before calling it.”
He nods and goes back to his drink.
After I finish, the two of us get up and head back to the studio. Inside, I go back to my little spot in the back and pick up where I left off. Out of the corner of my eye I notice that Evan isn’t standing at the big canvas that stretches nearly the length of the room. He’s in his office, and I can work freely, not having to worry about if I’m being watched. After I get a couple of hours in, I pack up for the day. As I’m heading for the door, I lean against the doorjamb to the office and poke my head in. “I’m taking off for the day.”
“Come here and check this out,” he says, waving me in.
I walk in and across the room to what he’s looking at on the table. It’s two more canvases. One is a bright and sunny day, green grass, a blue sky, and a bright sun. The other is a dark and stormy day, gray sky, black grass, and an ocean that looks to be ranging with waves. “These are beautiful.”
“I think I want to add them to the webpage as a pair.”
“That’s a great idea.”
“Can you add them to the list?” he asks, looking over at me.
“Sure, it’s not a problem.”
“I’ll pay extra of course.”
I smile. “It’s one extra picture. It’s really not a problem.” I turn back to look at them and that’s when I notice the picture on the edge of the table. It’s a picture of him and a woman. She’s sitting on his lap and she has her arms wrapped around his neck. They’re both smiling wide, and their eyes are shining. What I notice the most though is how the women in the picture that he seems so happy with is only a size two. She’s tiny and beautiful in all the ways smaller women are. It only reminds me that I was right with my thoughts earlier. Guys like Evan don’t like girls like me.
“What’s wrong?” Evan asks, drawing my eyes away from the picture on the desk.
I shake my head. “Oh, nothing. I was just… lost in thought.”
“You seem upset,” he says, reaching and brushing hair behind my ear as he steps closer. His eyes are locked on mine and he’s so close, I can smell him. I can’t do anything, but get lost in his blue eyes. It feels like we’re being drawn together or maybe that’s just me. Is he going to kiss me?
“I’m fine,” I manage to get out, shaking my head. When I do, his hand falls away and he steps back.
“Are you sure?”
I nod. “I should get going. I’ll see you later,” I say, turning and walking away before he can stop me.
