Page 72 of Love, Magic and Misfortune
“Yup, Simone is setting up an account for me.”
“She bought two, right?”
“Mmhm.”
“What’s the name of the account?”
Violet grinned. “Painted Poppies. I don’t know, she thought it had a ring to it.”
“I like it.” He turned to look at her over his shoulder. “I think this is exciting—and long overdue. You’re gifted at recreating light and color, and you’ve always had such a strong eye for detail—I remember you drew a picture of the schoolhouse when we were in second grade. You even included that butterfly wind chime in the music teacher’s window. I was so amazed.”
Her smile broadening, Violet decided to take a chance. “Well, thank you for the support and encouragement. What I really need is more practice with faces and portraits. It would be nice if I had someone to help me with that, too.”
“Help you how?”
“To sit for me.”
Jasper froze. “I… I could ask René for you?”
“YouknowI don’t want René.”
“Vi, why would you want me?”
“Why wouldn’t I want you? Of course I want you.” She narrowed her eyes. He turned his back to her again, but she could still see the flush of color creeping up his neck, settling in his cheek from her view of his profile.
“There are a million reasons why you shouldn’t.”
“But they only exist inyourmind,” Violet assured him. “Sit for me, please?”
He looked back over his shoulder. “Starting when?”
“Tomorrow morning? Since it’s the weekend… Are you staying with me tonight?”
“I—this would be the third time this week.”
“So? You sleep when you’re here, right? I don’t mind, Jas. I enjoy your company… and your little whiskers are so dang cute—”
“Don’t do that.”
Violet chuckled as Jasper rubbed his palms up and down his face, shaking his head.
“You used to have dark circles under your eyes. They’re already gone. Just stay.”
He straightened his back as he faced the light with his legs folded. His voice soft, he said, “Okay. Thank you.”
Violet’s phone buzzed beside her, so she automatically picked it up and looked at the screen.
[Karen: Is everything ready for tomorrow?]
[Karen: Where is this restaurant again?]
32
Just a few days later
“They say that most robberies are committed by someone close to the victim.”
Violet lifted the soft charcoal from the damp canvas and used her fingertips to smudge the lines she’d made. This was a messy business, but she liked it that way: the art being manipulated by her literal hands—no pencil or brush to come between her and what she was creating. Something about it felt versatile, flexible, and she found herself excited by the depth of shadows coming through the piece. “Is that supposed to make me feel better or worse?” she asked.
