I glance at the paper and scan the three places she’s written down, feeling a little overwhelmed. “Well buddy, what do you think? Do you want to try art classes?”
“Yeah!” He says enthusiastically. I can’t help but smile down at him. This was a good idea, I’m not sure I’ve seen him so excited about anything that wasn’t ice-cream. I turn back to Bianca. “Well, it looks like we’re sold. So, the one at Branson you think?”
She gives me a big genuine smile and if I wasn’t already sitting down, it would have knocked me on my ass. Damn, she’s beautiful when she’s scowling at me but when she smiles… well, fuck.
“Yeah, I think it would be perfect for him. Call that phone number and ask for Roxy, then tell her that Bianca Moreno sent you. The program has a waiting list but that should let you bypass it. She can call me if she has any questions.”
“Really? You’d do that for us?”
“Of course, it’s not a big deal.” She turns to my nephew. “You’re very talented, Oliver. If you like drawing I can’t wait tosee what you’ll do with paint, or clay, or anything else you choose to try. I’m really excited for you.” Oliver jumps off the couch and runs to Bianca wrapping his arms around her legs, almost causing her to stumble back. She gives a chuckle and pats him awkwardly on the head before bringing her gaze back to me and giving me a lopsided smile.
“How do you know about all this stuff? And how do you know the lady at Branson?” I ask, curious to know more about her. This woman who is a sassy spitfire one moment then gentle and encouraging with Oliver the next is an enigma that I can’t help but want to explore.
“Oh, I’m an artist. Or at least I’m trying to be.” For the first time since I’ve met her, she looks a bit sheepish and not brimming with confidence. “I just graduated from Branson with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts. I wasn’t personally involved in that art program because, you know, kids,” she says with a shrug like that’s supposed to explain everything. “But a few of my friends were involved so I know a bit about it.”
She just graduated? Shit, she’s got to be almost a decade younger than me. Another reason I should probably stay away from my fiery neighbor. It’s also another reason my dick wants to hear nothing about. “So, what are you doing now? You said you’re trying to be an artist.”
She finally takes a seat in an armchair across from the couch and before she can say another word, Oliver climbs up into her lap surprising us both. Her eyes snap to mine and it almost looks like she’s pleading for help. I can feel the corner of my mouth tick up in a smirk. It looks like Bianca is not the most comfortable person around kids. Join the club, Sparky. Or at least I used to be uncomfortable. I didn’t have a choice except to get used to it real quick. I don’t offer her the least bit of help while Oliver settles himself on her lap. Her hands are hoveringin the air like she has no idea where to put them, eventually she awkwardly lets them fall to the chair arms and rest there.
“I’m working at a gallery downtown while I try to get my own pieces ready to show. I know I’m basically nonexistent on the scene but I’m hoping my boss will put me in an exhibition by summer. Though I don’t know if that’s going to happen now.”
She mutters the last part and I raise my eyebrow. “Why do you say that? I’m sure she’d be happy to help you.”
A little laugh escapes her lips. “You obviously don’t know her. She basically told me my work was sh—” She looks down at Oliver and decides to change her wording. “Not very good.”
“It sounds to me like she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.” She lets out a real laugh this time.
“Oh, that’s where you’re wrong. Margot Gault is part of the who’s who in the art world. A single showing in her gallery could really set me up. She called what I showed her afinger painting,” she says using air quotes. I give a little grimace. That seems rather harsh. “Actually, that’s where I was coming from when I bumped into you the other day.” Now her eyes are narrowing in on me, like I’m bringing back bad memories of her work getting torn to shreds.
I immediately feel guilty. She had a shit day and then I had to go off on her over some stupid parking thing. If she was hoping to make me feel about three feet tall, well, she’s succeeded.
“Look, I’m sorry about that,” I start. “It had just been a stressful day. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. I apologize.”
“And the other day when Oliver was over at my place, and you freaked out on me?” Man, you give this girl an inch. Well, I wanted to clear the air with her anyways so at least she’s giving me the opportunity, I guess.
“I was out of line, I’m sorry. Look, I’m new to this whole parenting thing.” I quickly glance at where Oliver’s sitting in her lap. He’s kicking his feet and fiddling with a piece of her hairwhile looking around the room, paying the two of us no mind. “I guess I just freaked out a little when I couldn’t find him and that picture…” How do I explain my worry over what he drew? I certainly don’t want to bring it up in front of him. “Well, like I said, I was out of line.”
She looks intently into my eyes like she’s trying to see if I’m being sincere or not. She must be satisfied with what she sees because she gives a little nod and her lips curl into a tiny smile. “I wish I could say it was all you, but I certainly didn’t help the situation. How about a truce?” She says before moving Oliver off her lap and standing up, holding out her hand to me.
A truce is good, it’s certainly more than I hoped for when I came over here today. Hell, I half expected her to tell me she was dating a billionaire and that I could shove my apologies up my ass. This is a decided step up.
I raise off the couch and pull her hand into mine, shaking it. Again, there’s that spark of awareness shooting threw my body like an electrical current. Her body gives a little shudder and I know she feels it too. “You got it, Sparky.”
Chapter Five
Bianca
“Come on, B. You know you want to.”
Jenna’s been chirping in my ear about going out tonight for the better part of an hour. I know the reason she’s pushing so hard is because she thinks I still need cheering up after Margot’s assessment of my painting, and normally I would jump at the opportunity for a night out on the town, but I’m just not feeling it today.
“Don’t forget we have work tomorrow. Are you sure you really want to go out drinking all night?” Jenna does an exaggerated nodding of her head, up and down, like I’m an idiot.
“Come on, just a couple drinks, some dancing, and who knows, maybe we’ll find some guys to scratch that itch.” She waggles her eyebrows at me and I roll my eyes.
“Scratch that itch? You always were eloquent.”
“Fine, find some guys to fuck our brains out. There, is that better?” I can’t help but let out a laugh. Subtle, she is not.