Page 35 of That Summer
“We’re?”
“Yeah, Lucas is helping. Quite a bit actually.” Until it rolled off her tongue and a pained expression covered Kaitlyn’s face, she hadn’t thought much about what that meant. It was one friend helping another. “Why is him helping me so wrong?” Her voice was so low, she worried Kaitlyn didn’t hear.
“It’s not that it’s wrong, it’s just… I could’ve…” She hopped off her stool, and walked behind Cole, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Oh wow, I love what you did with the sky.”
Damn. There was no way Kaitlyn was jealous of her and Lucas, was she? Yet, Kaitlyn stood behind Daddy, laying the compliments on a little thick. She didn’t sneak a glance in her direction, and made no effort to see Lucas’ painting either. What the hell was up with her?
PaintNite ended faster than Aurora would’ve liked. As she put the finishing touches of yellow windows on the black buildings, the instructor congratulated the group on a successful evening.
Aurora slipped off her stool and went to admire Kaitlyn’s handiwork. She gave her shoulders a friendly squeeze. “It’s truly wonderful, Kait.”
Her hand landed on Aurora’s. “Not bad for a first timer.”
“No, not bad at all.”
“Can we talk tomorrow? I don’t want you to ever think–”
Kaitlyn turned toward her. “Yes. We’ll do lunch?”
“Deal.” She gave her friend a genuine smile and stepped over to Daddy’s painting.
Her jaw hit the floor. It was stunning. The little details he added made the buildings come alive. The full moon had highlights and shadows, not just a white ball like hers was. The bridge in the foreground wasn’t a simple-looking bridge either, but rather complex with ornate railings and towers.
“Geez, Daddy. Way to show us all up.”
“What?” He shrugged. “It’s okay?”
Lucas peeked his head over. “Wowsers, Mr–– Cole. That’s truly… wow.”
“Oh, Cole,” Kaitlyn said, touching his shoulder again. “It really is a masterpiece.”
“Thanks, Kaitlyn,” he said and signed his name to the bottom corner.
Aurora moved around her father to check out Lucas’ work. He’d been struggling with his, and the instructor had stopped by several times to offer assistance. She stifled a gasp. Lucas had the artistic talents of a five-year-old, and that would be giving him credit. His buildings were tipped, and the little windows were not in a nice, neat line. The bridge did not appear to be strong enough to hold the two shadowed figures on it.
“What do you think?”
Her gaze drifted “I think… Well, I think it’s a definite original.”
“Good thing I drive better than I paint.”
“Yes, good thing,” Cole said, standing up. “That’s my Princess you’re carting around.”
“And I value her life above my own, Sir.”
Cole patted Lucas on the back. “Glad to hear that.”
“Was tonight fun?” Lucas asked as they walked back to the apartment, each carrying a canvas.
Try as she may, she hadn’t been able to wipe the smile off her face. “Totally.”
“Any part specifically?”
She blinked and thought out loud, “The painting part was really neat. I had no idea they did anything like that. I loved hanging out with everyone. The food was really great. My cheeks hurt from laughing so much.”
Lucas nudged into her. “I think you have a few more things to write down on your list.”
“Thank you.”