“Oh, no. I’m doing my artist thing.” I stirred. “I’m playing around with a couple creative ideas for a gallery showing this summer.”
“What’s it about?”
“I’m not sure. Jails and. . .” I glanced back at the cells. “And. . .the imprisoning societal. . .ideology. . .of mermaids and the spirit of Santa.”
“O-kay.” He pointed to Remy. “And the snowman’s penis?”
“You can see that through the bars?”
“It’s a pretty big penis.” He laughed.
“I didn’t do that. I mean. I didn’t make it that big.”
“Of course, you didn’t. I’m sure he did that himself. Let me know if you need any models the next time you carve another one.”
“Very funny.”
“What are you doing tonight?”
I’m going to compromise with snow creatures that I locked in a jail. Hopefully, we can come to agreement that they won’t kill me and I won’t melt them.
“I’m planning a nice evening inside tonight,” I said. “I have this book that I’ve always wanted to read, a nice glass of wine, and plenty of logs for my fireplace. It should be a nice Christmas.”
He licked his lips. “Do you need company?”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m not worried about your mental health, Faith. Even though you’ve been hiding on this property for months and carving big penises—”
“I really didn’t do that.”
“It doesn’t matter. You’ve always been a little crazy. That’s what I loved about you.”
“Why does everybody keep saying that?”
“You’re an artist. They’re usually crazy, right?”
“Sadly, I have no real rebuttal. I can’t name a normal artist.”
“Would you like to go dancing this evening?”
I put my hands into my pockets. “Not tonight, but maybe another time.”
“How about I come pick you up and I make you an excellent Christmas dinner?”
Warmth uncurled in my chest.
How long had it been since a man romanced me?
“Daniel, thanks so much. I would like to take a rain check for sure. Nothing would make me happier than sitting on my behind and having your big, hulky-self wear an apron and cook a masterpiece for me.”
“I do wear an apron.”
I chuckled. “You do not.”
“I do. It’s green and brown camouflage. My son gave it to me last Christmas.”
“I bet you look cute in it.”