Page 38 of Accidental Wedding Crasher
“I like yours, too.”
“No, you don’t.” He sighed. “Even Evan’s is better.”
“Nah.” Mia smiled at him. “Don’t worry. There’s no prize for the best painting today.” She winked, and Luka laughed.
“I suppose you’re right.”
Mia wandered back to her and Evan’s easels. Evan was now standing a few feet back from his painting, hands on his hips. As she approached, he nodded her over.
“I’m still impressed by how you manage my family.”
“Thanks. What are you doing?”
“Trying to get a new perspective on the painting.” Evan tilted his head, then glanced at her. “You have paint on your cheek.”
“Really?” Mia scrubbed her face with the palm of one hand. “I can’t say I’m surprised. Did I get it?”
“It was on the other side.” Evan stepped closer, resting one hand on her shoulder and lifting the other to her face. He gently ran his thumb over Mia’s cheekbone, and she felt instantly warm and fluttery. Especially when he looked down at her with those intense blue eyes.
“There you go,” Evan said, his voice low. “I got it.” Still, though, he didn’t let his hand fall from her face. They were so close now. She could easily see the dusting of five o’clock shadow across his cheeks and the firm line of his jaw. His eyes were flecked with darker blue spots, and she could smell that masculine pine scent that she associated with him.
“Thanks,” Mia said, but the word came out a little higher than she’d planned. Almost involuntarily, she licked her lips, which suddenly felt very dry.
“Okay, lovebirds,” Luka called. “Get back to painting!”
“Right.” Evan dropped his hand and they both stepped away, Mia’s heart racing. They’d come very close tosomethingagain. It was getting harder to deny the effect that Evan had on her. And it wasn’t purely physical, either. She found herself wanting to tell him things. To have fun with him. To tease him and talk business and share stories. To go on adventures.
Worry pooled in Mia’s stomach. She hurried back to her easel and pretended to be deeply involved in adding clouds to the sky she’d painted. The blue paint hadn’t fully dried yet, and it seeped through the white.
That was how Mia felt. As if her feelings for Evan were seeping through the walls she’d put up to hold them in. How was shesupposed to be close to Evan, to pretend to be his girlfriend, without actually feeling anything? Of course, shedidfeel something.
Mia knew that there would never be anything real between her and Evan, even if she saw something in his eyes that told her he might want something more, too. After all, he was married to his job. He was very against relationships in general. Even though he was letting go of work this week, surely he’d be right back to it when they returned to California. She had to let it go. Smiling at Evan, she returned to her painting and did her best to focus on the swirls of color.
Painting was followed by lunch, then a break in which Evan did a little work and Mia tried to read on the balcony. Next up was an olive oil tasting. This time, Evan came out onto the balcony at the right time and brought Mia downstairs.
“I didn’t want us to be late,” he told her softly as they headed down the first flight of stairs.
“Thanks. How was your work?”
“Not bad.” Evan sighed. “It’s starting to pile up, though.”
“Maybe you need to delegate more,” Mia suggested.
“It’s not the first time I’ve heard that.” Evan grinned sheepishly. “But I don’t trust anyone else to do what I do.”
They arrived in the dining hall where the tasting would happen and took seats at the end of the table. Since Evan had chosen the time to come down, they were among the first to arrive.
“I get that. I think… I mean, haven’t you enjoyed this time with — with your family?” Mia had wanted to saywith mebut had caught herself just in time.
“I have.” Evan smiled at her. “It’s been great. But the fact that I haven’t gotten enough work done is a reminder of why I don’t usually do stuff like this. When I get home, I’ll be absolutely swamped. And this is what happens to everyone. Eventually, they get married, they start families, and work falls by the wayside. It’s a shame.”
Mia’s heart ached at his words. She’d already known this, but hearing it said aloud again hurt. Even though Evan hadn’t meant anything personal by it. Even though she knew he wasn’t a relationship guy.
“Yeah.” She turned away. “That makes sense.”
Not wanting to continue the conversation further, she scanned the others who had gathered for the tasting and waved Luka and Sarah over as they entered. Evan glanced at her, his expression unreadable, but he smiled at his brother and future sister-in-law.
“So, tomorrow’s the big day,” Mia said, smiling at the couple. “Are you excited?”
