Page 44 of Moonstruck Kiss

That’s a big, fucking relief! I won’t have to worry about conflict of interest anymore. Now I can have that fling with Joey without guilt poking me.

“This is mine, too?” I hear Ollie ask, making me focus back on him.

The head judge is handing him a box of acrylic paints and a set of brushes. “Yes. Congratulations, Ollie. You’re phenomenal.” He turns to me. “It’s a privilege to watch him today. Thank you for letting him participate.”

I smile. “I wouldn’t have been able to stop him from coming here even if I wanted to. Thank you for your kind words and prizes. It means a lot to both of us.”

“He’s an extraordinary child. Bring him next week for the competition, if he’s keen. He can again be the only participant in the under-ten age group,” he adds with a chuckle.

“Yes, Dad, yes!” Ollie says.

I pull him to me for a hug, flabbergasted by his commitment to his art. “You want to do it again?”

“Yes. Maybe I’ll use these next time, but Joey will have to show me how.” He stares at his acrylic paints.

“Excuse me, Brax,” Joey says from behind me.

I turn, my hand poised to touch her arm—or any part of her. Fortunately, my brain isn’t that slow to catch up and I put my hand down firmly to my side. Honestly, it’s been hell trying to keep my distance from Joey all day. Fortunately, watching Ollie paint and stopping crowds from getting too close while they marvelled at what my little boy was doing kept me occupied.

“This is Marina from the Royal Flying Doctors Service,” Joey says, introducing the woman next to her.

I shake Marina’s hand. “Pleased to meet you, Marina.”

“Likewise. I’m very impressed with your son. He’s amazing.”

“Thank you.”

“I know that Ollie’s paintings are not for sale, but I was just wondering if you’re willing to donate one to the RFDS. We’ll be auctioning some items for our fundraising drive.”

I glance at Ollie, feeling torn. While I had intended to keep all of his artwork for now, the aeromedical organisation would be a worthy recipient of one of his pieces. “What do you think, bud?” I ask him. “Should we donate one of your watercolour paintings from today to the Royal Flying Doctors Service?”

Ollie’s eyes grow wide. “Flyingdoctors?”

“Yes,” Marina says with a laugh. “Our doctors fly on a plane to get to sick or injured people who are far away from hospitals.”

“Will my paintings cheer them up?”

Marina glances at me so I take up the conversation. “I’m sure your paintings will cheer up anyone. But what Marina and her people will do is sell your painting and give the money to the flying doctors because it will help keep their services going.”

“Oh, okay. I painted three today, right?”

“Yes.”

“Well, one’s for you, Dad. Another one’s for Joey, and the flying doctors can have one, too.”

“Oh, thank you, Ollie. We appreciate it very much.” Marina clasps her hands together.

“I’ll show you which one you can have.” Ollie goes back to his table and takes one of the sheets. “This one has an airplane in it. That’s the one my dad and I rode to get here.”

“I did have my eye on that one,” Marina says.

As my child regals Marina with the story of how he enjoyed the plane ride, I swivel back towards Joey. God, I’ve been dying to kiss this woman all day.

“I can drop Ollie off at my parents and come back to help you clean up here,” I say meaningfully.

She smiles. “Okay.”

“Anyone else helping? I think we can do it all by ourselves.”

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