Page 15 of Moonstruck Kiss

“Honestly, Elsa,” I say dryly, “I’m sure it’s because he couldn’t find an insulting enough word to call me in public.”

“Oh, isSlicksupposed to be insulting?” Brax quips.

I raise a brow. “I can think of more accurate words to call you, but I’m too polite to say them in public.”

Elsa shakes her head, smirking. “You two are like cats and dogs. But I think you both enjoy the fighting—so you can make up later.”

“Don’t make me laugh,” I say sarcastically.

Wait, did Brax say exactly the same thing at the same time?

Our gazes lock and, for the life of me, I can’t look away…

Evan clears his throat. “I can see students approaching. We better say goodbye to Ollie and leave.”

Gulping, I wrench my gaze away from Brax. I hope his parents don’t assign any meaning to that look between us. For my part, I was just surprised we both came up with the same response. That’s all.

We walk back to Ollie’s desk, and the little boy is still in full concentration. As we reach him, I clap my hand against my mouth.

Brax kneels next to his son, his eyes as round as the full moon. “Ollie,” he breathes, seemingly lost for words as he stares at the drawing paper.

Ollie has drawn a lush tree with clear branches and leaves, and now he’s working on a bird. Not the stick kind that young children often draw, but a fleshed-out one with its wings outstretched. It’s blowing my mind that a four-year-old is doing this.

“I’m good, right?” Ollie asks, looking up at me. “It’s a cockatoo that Dad and I saw yesterday, but I can’t use white crayon because it won’t show on the paper. That’s why I used pink.”

Emotions rush up my chest as I smile at him. “Yes, Ollie. You’re very,verygood. And I’m so deeply honoured that you’re here in my class.”

Ollie grins at Brax. “Do you like it, Dad?”

“It’s fantastic,” he croaks, his eyes glassy. “So Norah never helped you with your other drawings?”

“No. I told you I did them all myself.”

He hugs his son. “It’s very good, Ollie. You’re a wonderful artist.”

I stand back and watch Elsa and Evan also heap praises on the little boy. This is a special moment, and I feel privileged to be a part of it. I only know of one other child prodigy in the art world as young as Ollie. I can’t believe I’m in front of another one right now.

“After this, I’m gonna use watercolour,” Ollie declares. “Joey will show me.”

“Okay.” Brax kisses his head before standing. “We’ll come back for you after the class. If you want a break, just ask Joey to take you to Auntie Liss at the chocolate shop?—“

“No! I want you to stay and watch me use watercolour.”

“I can’t stay, bud,” Brax says gently. “I’m not enrolled in the class. Only you are.”

“But I want you to watch me so you know I’m good at watercolour, too! Joey will help me, but I will do most of it. I want you to see that!”

Brax stares at Ollie for a moment before bending down to hug him again. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you at first when you said Norah didn’t help you. But I believe you now. I don’t need to be here to know that you’ll be so very good with watercolour, too. You can show me after class.”

“But I want you here,” Ollie moans. “He can stay, right, Joey?”

I open my mouth to say an excuse for Brax, but he surprises me with his next words.

“Okay. I’ll stay.”

Ollie raises both arms in triumph.

Brax chuckles and sits on the ground.

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