Chapter 20
Isabella tried really hard not to smirk at Chase. He was jealous of himself. What a weird situation. His crush on Five was cute. But also a bit annoying. Five wasn’t real. She was a girl in his imagination. A girl who didn’t exist in the real world. As long as he didn’t know who she was, Five could be anyone. He could imagine her to be what his heart desired. And that was the danger of revealing herself to him. Because Isabella wasn’t nearly as fascinating as the mysterious, sexy woman he’d conjured up in his brain.
Chase pulled out their paper. They discussed a few options and wrote the rest of the paper together. Then they talked about how they would present the materials to the class.
After they got all the details ironed out, Chase cocked his head to the side like he wanted to say something, but he stayed silent.
Isabella mimicked his stance. “Yes?”
“Sorry. Was just thinking.”
She gave him a small smile. “About what?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged and made an it-doesn’t-matter face. “I told you I have a secret crush. Just wondering if you have one.”
Oh, no. This wasn’t good. She was bad at lying. She could feel the heat coming up her neck.
“No,” she said, even though she knew she’d be tomato red in a second.
He squinted at her. “Really? Then why are you blushing?”
She rolled her eyes. “All right. Maybe I do. But it’s a secret crush, and that means I don’t talk about it.”
“I told you about mine.”
“You said you don’t even know her name. That’s it.” She squared her shoulders and returned his bold gaze, even though staring into his blue eyes was making her butterflies dance.
“True.”
“So we’re even in my book.”
There. She’d gotten out of that conversation.
He grinned his camera-ready smile and wielded the full power of his dimple. “Do you have any classes with him?”
Dang. He wasn’t going to give up. Fine.
She glared at him. “Yes.”
“How many?”
“One. But that’s all you’re getting out of me.”
“Have you talked to him today?”
She threw her head back and looked at the ceiling. “Why do you care?”
He glanced at the clock. “Just making conversation. We’re done with our project and still have five minutes until the bell rings.”
“Then let’s talk about something else.”
He picked up the papers on his desk and stuffed them in his backpack. “I don’t want to. You’re cute when you’re flustered. Who is he?”
Was he going to pester her until she gave him a name? Maybe she should just give him one. Any name. Savannah’s brother popped into her head. She’d spoken to him today, and he was in her photography class. “Paul. His name is Paul. Can we talk about something else now?”
Chase gave her a flat look. “Paul who?”
She groaned. “Evans.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Why do you like him?”
“Why do you like phone girl?” she shot back, giving him a death stare.
A funny grin spread across Chase’s face. “She’s witty. And caring. And we talk about all kinds of things. I just feel a connection with her.”
“And that’s why I like Paul.” Isabella folded her arms across her chest and clamped her mouth shut.
Hopefully, that would be enough.
Chase nodded. “That’s great.”
His face didn’t look like he thought that was great.
The bell rang, and Isabella silently thanked the heavens. She gathered up her things while Chase turned his desk back around.
He slung his backpack over one shoulder. “Want a ride?”
She shook her head. “No. I’m already in enough trouble at home.”
Chase worked his jaw, a hard look in his eyes. “You okay at home?”
It was sweet that he felt protective of her. “Yeah. Nothing like that. She’s just making me work extra hours to get ready for this weekend.”
He placed his hand on her arm, and the warmth from his skin spread. If he only knew what his touch did to her. “You call me if anything . . . happens.”
She nodded, unable to make words come out.
“Are you sure you won’t let me drive you?”
Isabella bit her lip. She did need to go home and get the painting for Mr. Kato. It would take her extra-long to walk home and then back to the gallery. She would get in trouble if she was late to work. “Maybe you could drop me off a block from home?”
He nodded. “Sure thing.”
She gave him a smile. “Thanks.”
Isabella lugged the painting as she walked to the Vibrant Hue. It was large and awkward, but she had no other way to get it there. And Mr. Kato wanted to purchase it that day. She’d snuck it out through her balcony, which was difficult, but luckily she’d made it without falling off the cliff.
When she entered the gallery, Leilani approached her. “Ooh, can I see?”Her eyebrows rose as she looked at Isabella’s painting. “Wow. You did this?”
“Yeah,” she said, heat creeping into her cheeks.
“It’s brilliant!” Leilani clicked her tongue. “You’ve improved. I have no idea why Elenore is hanging this junk up.” She pointed to Delilah’s butt print.
“Probably to punish me. She’s made that her life’s mission.”
“What are you going to do with your painting?”
Isabella grinned. “I sold this to Mr. Kato. He’s paying me a thousand dollars for it!”
Leilani clapped her hands. “That’s more than you would have gotten hanging it in here. Take it and run, girl.”
“That’s what I was thinking.” She took the painting into the office and set it against the wall. She proceeded to get out the mop and fill the bucket with water. Mr. Kato came in when she was halfway through with the floors. She heard his voice before she saw him.
“Where’s my little art mouse?”
She turned and smiled, a warmth flowing in her chest. She gave him a hug. “How have you been?”
Mr. Kato patted her on the cheek. “Just fine, love.” He searched her face. “And you?”
“I’m doing okay.”
“She’s treating you better?”
Isabella shook her head. “But I graduate this year. Then I’m on my own.”
Mr. Kato gave her a sad smile. “You’ll do well for yourself.”
“Thanks.” She wanted to change the subject, so she led him into the office. “Here’s the painting.”
He stood back and stared at it. “Amazing. It’s breathtaking. Even better in person. I can’t wait to hang this in a special place. Maybe above my fireplace.”
Isabella’s throat tightened. She was selling her first painting, and he was going to hang it prominently in his home. Mr. Kato was known for his gatherings. Important people would see it. Her heart beat faster as she thought about it.
“I’ll go wrap this up in the back.”
“I’ll make out a check.” He grinned at her, then held out his hand suddenly. “Wait.” He peered at the painting. “Oh, no. This won’t do.”
A sinking feeling started in her gut. “What?”
“You forgot to sign it.”
“Oh.” She’d been working on her artist signature but hadn’t perfected it yet. Most of her paintings were unsigned. “Sorry. I’ll sign it now.”
“Perfect.”Mr. Kato grinned with his whole face. He wrote her a check as she signed the painting.
She gave him the painting and another hug before he left. She couldn’t get over her emotions.
A thousand dollars!
It wouldn’t pay for school, but it would help get her started.
Maybe she could sell a few more paintings.
Her phone vibrated with a call, and her heart sped up. Chase was calling. She pulled her phone out and saw Savannah’s name on the screen. She took a deep breath and answered.
“Hey. What’s up?”
Savannah’s lively voice came through the line. “Are you going to come over for a dress fitting?”
“I don’t think I can tonight. I still have to wash the windows.”
“Well, we can’t put it off until the last minute. What if the dress doesn’t fit?”
Savannah was a little bit of a drama queen sometimes. Isabella held in an eye roll. They were practically twins when it came to size. “I’ll see if I can sneak away tomorrow.”
“All right.” Savannah squealed. “I’m so excited for you.”
“Don’t get your hopes up too much. Remember, Elenore is making me work the gala. I might not even get to sneak away.”
“Girl, you’d better. Because I’m living a fantasy through you, and I need this dance.”
Isabella laughed. “You’d better get yourself a man. If you think my love life is fantasy worthy, you’re pretty desperate.”
They said their goodbyes and hung up the phone. Isabella looked at the half-mopped floors and sighed.
Maybe the rest of the week would go better.