The Rules of Dating(52)

“Of course. Keep the damn thing if you want. Better yet, bring it back the next time you let me paint you.”

“I’m afraid of what you’d paint next.”

“I already have a great idea for the yellow paint.”

“Let me guess. Woodstock?”

“Not telling.” I winked. “I don’t want to ruin it.”

“Say goodbye to Snoopy,” she said as she zipped up my hoodie, covering her breasts.

“Damn. I’m gonna miss him.”

We both laughed as we left my room and walked to the door. I looped my arm around her waist and brought her into me one last time, savoring every second of her delicious mouth on mine.

“I love the way you taste.”

She moaned over my mouth before stepping back. “The car’s waiting. I’d better go.”

As I watched her walk down the hall, I called, “Hey, I got a story idea for the next time you read to Saylor.”

“What is it?”

“Snoopy and the Chippendale.”

She shook her head and kept on walking.





CHAPTER 15


Billie



“What the hell are you doing?”

My brows pulled together when Deek interrupted my thoughts. “I’m sitting in a chair. What does it look like I’m doing?”

“You’re smiling weird.”

“I am?”

Deek was working on one of our regulars. He turned off his machine and swiveled the chair so the customer faced me. “I’m all done, Remy. But does she look funny to you?”

Remy squinted. “I don’t think so. What am I looking for?”

Deek rubbed the scruff on his jaw. “I don’t know. But something is off.” He swiveled the chair back to its normal position and lifted a handheld mirror, offering it to Remy so he could see his back. “Take a look. Let me know what you think.”

Remy spent a few minutes checking out his new tattoo from all different angles and then shook Deek’s hand. “Superb as usual, man.”

“Thanks. Give me a call when you figure out what you want next. It was good to see you.”

After Deek walked Remy up to the front and closed out the sale, it was just the two of us. I had started sketching a Medusa head for a first-time customer coming in next week. Deek looked over my shoulder before leaning one hip against the counter at my workstation.

“Did you watch a scary movie before coming in today?”

I shook my head. “No, why?”

“Pet a litter of puppies?”

I chuckled. “No.”

“How about insult your mother, and she had no comeback?”

I set down my drawing pencil. “What are you getting at?”

“Four things make you smile like that.” He lifted his fingers and counted off. “One, puppies. Two, winning a fight with your mother. Three, movies that scare the crap out of you, and four, getting laid.”

I rolled my eyes. “Well, none of those have happened.”

“No? So nothing happened with Colby then?”

I shrugged. “Well, maybe a little something happened. But we didn’t have sex.”

Deek shook his head. “So you’re telling me you’re smiling because of feelings? I’m going to have to have a chat with this dude.”

“What are you talking about? You’re the one who’s been pushing me to give him a chance.”

“I know. But I didn’t realize you were going to fall for him so quick. I need to make sure his intentions are good.”

I smiled. “Thanks, Dad. But I think I got this.”

Fifteen minutes later, none other than Colby walked through the door. Deek rubbed his hands together.

“Oh crap,” I mumbled.

Colby strolled into the studio with a smile. “What’s up, Deek? Hey, Billie.”

I knew better than to try to talk Deek out of whatever he had planned. So instead, I kissed Colby on the cheek. “I’m going to apologize for this in advance.”

“For what?”

I motioned to Deek, who pointed to the empty chair next to him. “Have a seat, Colby. I’d like to have a word with you.”

Colby looked between me and Deek a few times, but eventually shrugged and sat down. “What’s up?”

Deek folded his arms across his chest. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

Colby’s forehead wrinkled. He looked to me for help, and I shrugged. “It will be worse not to go along with it,” I said. “Trust me.”

Colby looked wary but returned his attention to Deek. “I don’t know. I guess in five years I’d like to buy some land and start building a summer place. I can’t afford the Hamptons or anywhere trendy, but that’s okay. I like the Hudson Valley better, anyway. Maybe let Saylor get a dog.” He glanced to me and back. “A wife and another kid, maybe. I’m not sure. I don’t really have a timeline for things. I guess I’d just like to be happy and to have my life progress somewhat.”

Deek considered his answer with an unreadable face. “What kind of a dog?”

“Lab maybe?”

“Buy or adopt?”

“Definitely adopt from a shelter.”