Page 137 of Five Days to Be Mine

“I appreciate this Mara,” Steff sets her bag down on the counter and opens up her iPad. “Here’s what I was thinking. Is this enough time?”

The sculpture is an open mouth bass meant for a table display, thankfully, and small enough that I could do it in this time frame.

“What colours are you thinking?”

Steff shakes her head. “At this point, anything you have. I’d love something bright.”

I know I have some dusty pink amaranth, orange hibiscus and carnations to finish it off.

“I can do this,” I reassure Steff.

She claps her hands together. “I knew you could! Thank you! Text me when you’re done.”

“I will.” Steff wrings her hands standing there.

“Steff?” I raise an eyebrow at her.

“Right, I’m going!”

Steff waves by and I start pulling flowers out of the cooler, set them on the counter and then I go over to my cart of supplies.

“I love watching you work. Am I going to be in your way if I sit over here?” Evan gestures to the other bench.

“Nope, I’m going to be pretty focused on getting this sculpture done.”

“I promise not to interfere with you, but I have to say you look very sexy holding that tool.”

“Pilers?” I shake my head at him. “I know you know what these are.”

“Are you sure?”

“You showed me a picture of your dad’s workshop.”

“Hunter’s the one who knows his way around tools. But okay, you’re right. I just like that you know how to use them and that thing.”

I roll my eyes and start cutting the wire I need, trying to estimate as accurately as I can because I don't like wasting materials.

Evan’s phone rings and he brushes by me, taking the call outside.

I’m thankful for the interruption, because apparently having him in my space is a distraction after all.

I get to work on sculpting the shape of the bass.

It’s finicky and my fingers are cramping by the time I have it done.

Reaching for the amaranth, I start twisting the delicate strands around the frame, careful not to destroy the petals.

With how it spills everywhere, it’s perfect for the base of the fish.

I’m lost in covering this sculpture when Evan slides back into the room, sets a bottle of water down on my bench.

“Thanks.” I nod.

He quietly takes his seat again and I reach for the alliums. They’re going to form the bulk of this fish.

I cut the stems as needed, wrapping them around the body of the sculpture and as I work, everything floats away, including Evan, who is reading something on his phone.

I know how lucky I am to be doing this for a well-known designer. I know many of my friends dreamed of opportunities like this and even though I know Evan did it because he wanted to and I give him what he needs, there’s no way I can ever pay him back.

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