Page 15 of Family: Posy 4

"I know, but—"

"Wyatt, they are yourbrothers. You tease them and tease them hard, so it's only fair if they tease you back. However, I think they will be too impressed with your amazing skill to say anything but compliments."

Hmm. Maybe she doesn't know us as well as I thought she did, I mused.

Dumb Wy. Gran closed his eyes and shook his head slowly.I'm telling you. Never. Bet. Against. Mate!

"I'll think about telling them," I hedged.

"Well,I'mtelling them I got this painting at the gallery, and when they realize it's one of yours, boom, there's your opening to explain and surprise them with your success." She patted my shoulder. "You're welcome, fifth star."

Snorting, I tucked her and the painting into my car, then climbed in on the other side.

"I was going to take you to a nice restaurant, but now I'm wondering if you've had enough culture and want to swing by McD's for your chicken nuggies?" I reached over and caressed her cheek with my hand. "I'm fine with either, so you pick."

"It won't ruin your date if I pick the nuggies? Because I haven't had them in a really long time."

"Posy, I would fly you to Paris for a single macaron if you wanted. Nuggies it is."

She giggled and we chatted a little more as I drove us to a nearby McDonald's. No way were we eating in my precious Jag and making her smell like fries, so we went into the restaurant, and Posy enjoyed her nuggies while I downed a couple of double quarter-pounders with bacon and cheese.

After dinner, we walked out to the Jag holding hands and killed some time admiring the sunset that turned the clouds pink and purple.

"It looks like a painting, doesn't it?" she said happily. "Perfect for our art date!"

"Speaking of, this evening's entertainment is a painting class."

"A painting class?" She stared up at me with a puzzled frown. "But you obviously know how to paint already."

"You don't, and won't it be fun to learn?" I had a moment of doubt. Maybe this was a bad idea.

"As long as you're with me, yes." She perked up and smiled. "And you can help me so mine doesn't turn out too bad, right?"

"How could anything you make turn out bad?" I tapped her on the nose. "I just hope the instructor picked an interesting subject and not something dull like a fish or an apple."

"It doesn't matter, does it? It's just to learn and have fun."

"You're right." Starting the car, I looked over at her with a grin. "So let's go learn and have fun. Even if I have to paint a freaking fish."

#

I had to paint a freaking fish.

As soon as the instructor showed us the design, I groaned and Posy buried her face in the back of my shoulder to muffle her giggles.

At least it was white and orange koi on a blue background, which I felt I could do something with. And, hallelujah, the instructor gave us a choice rather than force us all to use the same supplies. I immediately set Posy up with acrylics and gathered watercolor supplies for me.

"I'll teach you watercolors later if you want, but acrylics are easier to start learning with," I explained as I made sure her smock covered her pretty dress.

"Okay. That's fine," she said vaguely and didn't look at me, all of her attention on the instructor, and I shook my head in amusement.

She's going to follow the directions step-by-step, I thought to myself with a little smile.

She did, too, and I allowed myself to focus on my painting after I saw she was lost in her own creative space. By mutual agreement, both of us kept our eyes on our own work until we were finished.

"I'm happy with it," Posy said and turned her painting for me to see. "You can tell it's a fish, which was my main goal."

"Good job!" I complimented her. "I like the thicker strokes to create texture and the way you added gray for depth. Did you enjoy the process of creating it?"

---