Page 58 of Finding Romance
“Mess it up? Hardly. They massacred it. They completely annihilated it. That’s the third one they’ve killed,” he grumbles.
I really do try to be serious. I fight the laugh bubbling up in my throat. But a giggle makes its way out of my mouth.
Hutch glares at me and I clamp a hand over my lips. “Sorry,” I mumble behind my fingers.
Kasen’s body shakes with silent laughter.
“Dude, those things are expensive. It’s not funny,” Hutch says as he glares at us.
“I’m sorry, Hutch. It’s just…why do you keep putting out trail cams if the raccoons keep messing with them?” I ask.
“Well, Hutch here is determined to find out who puts flowers out on the bench over there every morning. So far, he hasn’t cracked the case,” Kasen explains.
Hutch shrugs. “It’s sort of become my hobby.”
“The bench where I paint?” I ask.
Hutch’s interest is piqued. “What are you painting?”
I nod. “I paint the lily pads in the little pond next to the stream,” I explain as I point in the direction of the bench. “And frogs sometimes.”
“You should talk to Roxy. She mentioned trying to help her author friend do some book art,” Hutch suggests.
“Already did. Not sure if anyone will ask me to do any art for them, but maybe,” I state.
Kasen squeezes my arm. “They will. You’re going to be a famous artist.”
I roll my eyes. “Let’s just start with being an artist who gets commissioned to do anything.”
“Baby steps,” Hutch adds.
“Exactly,” I agree.
It’s then that Hutch eyes the bag. “You guys going somewhere?”
“No, just coming back from visiting an artist,” Kasen says quickly. I wonder if he’s embarrassed to tell his friend about our weekend away. I mean, it’s not a secret, not exactly. Maybe I should be embarrassed. After all, I can’t even get a real boyfriend. I have to employ one to practice with.
I blush. “I should get upstairs and check on my aunt,” I say. “Good luck with the trash pandas, Hutch.”
“Thanks. It’s back to the drawing board,” he says. “I need coffee for this.” I watch as he walks over to the café.
“Come on, illustrator. Let’s get you settled,” Kasen says as he guides me inside. We’re both quiet as we ride the elevator, but when we get to our floor, Kasen presses the emergency button and the elevator shakes to a stop.
“W-what are you doing?” I manage to ask before he drops my bag, walks us into a wall, and picks me up. I squeal and wrap my legs around his waist as he presses me into a mirrored panel and kisses me.
I’m not sure how long we kiss for, but eventually, he pulls back. Our heavy breathing is the only sound inside the metal elevator.
“I had a good time this weekend,” he says, breaking the silence.
“Same,” I reply, my lips twitching with a smile. I frown a little and his brows furrow.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
I smirk. “I think I could use more practice. Are you free later tonight?”
This time his smile is so wide it nearly splits his face. “I could probably accommodate that. I mean, there’s so many things we didn’t practice.”
My eyes widen. “Like what?” I say.
