Page 16 of Moonstruck Kiss

“That chair’s for you.” I point to the seat.

“No, I’ll be too high. I’m comfortable like this.”

I cock my head. “Not worried you’ll dirty your linen shorts?”

He throws me a glare. “I’m not that precious.”

“I don’t mean that,” I say with a snicker. “I just meant you might not want to dirty your shorts.”

“Excuse me,” Evan says dryly. “Do Elsa and I have to stay to make sure you two behave yourselves?”

I take a deep, calming breath. Honestly, I don’t know why I can’t keep my cool around this man.

“I’ll make sure they behave themselves,” Ollie quips.

We all laugh, and that breaks the tension.

I walk around the studio, checking my students’ artwork. I critique gently and praise generously, asking each one if they have questions.

Upon seeing how good Ollie’s drawing was when they first arrived, they all went crazy. Most of them have settled into working on their pieces now. Even Manny has given up on trying to catch my eye when I only kept responding to him in a professional manner. Everyone is focusing on their own work.

Except for Candy. She’s not doing much at all, preferring to stare at Brax than at her canvas.

Okay, so he’s too good-looking to be ignored. But she has no idea of his snooty side.

“I need to stretch my legs,” Candy murmurs, standing from her stool. She walks around the perimeter of the room and…ends up leaning against the wall close to Brax.

“Have you ever had art lessons,” I hear her ask him.

“No,” answers Brax. “I was never interested. Ollie’s talent must have come from his mother’s side, although my sister Sienna is an interior decorator. So, I guess we have some creativity in my family, too.”

I don’t catch the rest of their conversation as I continue to walk around the room. I don’t want to look like I’m hanging around close to where they are. Brax will probably accuse me of eavesdropping.

When Candy goes back to her stool, I approach her. “How are you doing, Candy?”

“I’m okay,” she answers, although she’s still making cow eyes at Brax. “I’ll let you know if I need help.”

“Sure.” If she doesn’t want help, then I’m not going to force it on her.Harrumph.

I don’t know why I’m feeling a little resentful of Candy when it’s not her fault the “most eligible bachelor” in town is hanging around. Brax is proving to be too disruptive even though he’s just sitting there, occasionally tapping on his phone.

Hopefully, Ollie won’t mind his dad leaving him alone next time since he’s proven his talents to him already.

Funnily enough, out of all the students here today, Ollie is the one concentrating the most. That child does love being an artist.

Candy leaves her stool again and goes straight to Brax. I’m close enough to hear their conversation.

“Do you get many women sliding into your DMs?” asks Candy. “I was thinking about it, but then you’re here so I don’t have to.”

“I switched all my social media accounts to private,” Brax says with a chuckle.

“Can’t handle the amount of girls wanting to chat you up, huh? Do you know that we generally find single dads irresistible?”

Ugh!Yes, we all know that! Go back to your seat!

I didn’t say my thoughts out loud. Instead, I go and check on Ollie.

“Hey, Ollie.” I sit on my haunches to admire his watercolour painting of a boat on the water. “Wow, that’s looking great!”

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