Dawn came before Lily felt like she’d even gone to sleep. The anxiety of trying to draw something that expressed just the right emotion had almost driven her to the nearest insane asylum. Groggily, she rose from bed, dressed and padded to the front door.

“Trying to sneak out? You didn’t even have your first cup of coffee yet.”

Lily sighed. “Don’t need coffee.”

“And I have a snowball fight in Hell later,” Connie teased.

“I wanted to get out and see if inspiration struck. You know I work better out in the morning air.”

“I also know you hope he’ll bring you coffee again.”

Lily turned to face her sister and the truth, sort of. “It’s my favorite coffee place.”

“Yeah, that’s it. Admit it, you find him cute.”

Lily huffed and set her art supplies on the table. “Me? What about you? You were practically throwing yourself at Allen. I love that place,” she mimicked her sister’s words. “You two were so cozy it was embarrassing. Oh, and since when do you run in Central Park three days a week? Your idea of breaking a sweat is stepping outside.”

“So I embellished a little.” Connie waved her hand dismissively and headed for the kitchen. “I’ll admit I think Allen is cute if you admit you think the same thing about Josh.”

“What are we, twelve?” Lily pulled her hair away from her face and tied it back with a hair band. “Fine, I admit it. He’s attractive, but he’s all business and serious and—”

“Too much like Steven? Ever think it’s time to let that go?” Connie grabbed both of Lily’s hands and guided her into the living room to sit next to her on the loveseat. “Listen, I know that creep scarred you deeply, but you deserve your happily-ever-after. It’s not your fault he cheated on you. And you can’t spend the rest of your life being scared the next guy will do the same thing. It’s not that you’re scared of trying. You’ve never been scared of anything in your life. That creep just made you think you couldn’t do it without him. But if you remember, you were already a respected artist before he got a hold of you and sold you to the highest bidder.”

Lily’s hands shook. She didn’t want to think about it, but after almost two years she still couldn’t create anything worth selling in her own gallery. “He was my teacher. A world-renowned instructor. If he says I’m terrible, I’m terrible.”

“No, he said that because he didn’t want you competing with his new woman who doesn’t have even half of your talent.” Connie rubbed her arms. “Have you seen her stuff? She’s terrible compared to most of the artists out there, yet she’s selling. Then there’s you. You’re amazing, but you let him get inside your head. I wish you could believe in yourself the way I believe in you.”

“That doesn’t count. You’re my sister. It’s your job to tell me I’m good.” Lily fought the trembling in her soul. The one that longed to create and to mold material into what she saw, but her confidence had been shattered. “You really want me to do this, don’t you? That job for Josh and Allen is that important to you?”

“Yes, it’s that important to me, but I want you to do it for yourself. Not only so you can snap out of this funk you’re in and believe in yourself again, but also so you can take that twenty-five thousand and set up your own art gallery back in New York.”

“Thirty thousand.”

“What?” Connie’s eyes went puffer-fish big.

“It’s gone up to thirty thousand.” Lily sighed. “I do owe it to you. You went into hibernation with me when you wanted to remain in New York. I guess I can try to get you back there.”

“Girl, it’s not just about that. I love you. I want you to be happy, and I know you don’t just want to sketch, you need to. It’s who you are. Besides, I saw those eyes in your sketchbook. Wow.”

“Wow is right. No one believes in privacy anymore.”

Connie squeezed her hands. “Listen, I did some checking. I wouldn’t encourage you to consider this job or Josh at all if I didn’t think he could be good for you. It’s less about the art and more about your heart.”

“Maybe you should write their slogans,” Lily teased.

Connie rolled her eyes. “Very funny. So, you want to know what I found?”

Lily shook her head even as her head screamed yes. “No. Why would I care? At most, all he’ll ever be is a one-time business transaction. I’ll do this one job, then we never have to see each other again.”

“Ouch. But despite what you say those eyes were his, and we both know that is the first expression of the soul you’ve done in two years. Especially of a man you think is cute.”

“I didn’t say he was cute.”

“Whatever.” Connie sighed. “Fine, I’ll tell you anyway. He’s a regular volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. He spends several weekends a month working in soup kitchens, and even volunteers to read to the elderly. You think a guy like that only thinks of himself?”

“How do you know all that?”

“I have my ways.” Connie chuckled. “It’s called social media. You should try it sometime.” She stood up and left the room, only to return a few seconds later with her laptop. “Here, look.”

On the screen, Lily saw a photo of Josh, dressed in nice clothes reading to an old lady. Another picture showed him in casual clothes, or at least his idea of casual clothes which consisted of a button-up shirt and khaki pants at a construction site. “So, he volunteers. It doesn’t mean he’s any less about business and productivity. Besides, this is social media. Of course, he’s only going to show his good side.”

“Stop. That’s Steven talking. He nearly worked you until you were hospitalized for exhaustion. And after he broke you, he moved on to the next person he could use. That’s what he is, a user. I’m glad you have nothing to do with him anymore, because you deserve better.” Connie stood. “You can continue to live in isolation and ignore your feelings, but I won’t anymore. I like Allen and I’m going to see him Friday night with or without you. Now, get out on that beach and get ready for that kind man with those amazing eyes to bring you coffee.”

Lily smiled and followed her sister’s advice, yet she couldn’t help thinking it was a mistake during the short ride to the beach. She ignored the doubt and retrieved her art supplies from the bike’s basket, telling herself it might be nice to spend the morning on the beach with him. After settling onto her blanket, she decided to try to duplicate the scene they wanted. She started with the background, sketching quickly. When she was done, she couldn’t wait to show Josh. But Josh never came. Not that day, or the day after, or the day after that.