Page 21 of Chasing Smoke

It’s strange to realize that I’ve never been up here before, even though I was born and raised in Echo Lake.

Easels are set up around the room with small tables beside them that hold various paints and brushes. They’re all angled to face the front where a single easel is placed in the center of the room. That must be where the art teacher will sit and demonstrate how to do whatever we’re painting.

As expected, I’m the only man here. Five other women and a teenage girl stare at me with looks of surprise. But that’s okay. I can handle a room full of women. I’m here to keep Collins company.

“Ansel Mercer, didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”

My head whips around to the other side of the room where a woman stands and straightens from being hunched over a cardboard box in the corner. Mrs. Galloway. My high school art teacher.

I raise my left hand. “Hi, Mrs. Galloway. I’m just keeping Collins company tonight.”

She crosses the room, her waist-length gray braid trailing behind her. I don’t think she’s cut her hair since I left high school.

“Hi, Collins, nice to meet you. I’m Rebecca Galloway, I own the studio.” She holds her hand out, and Collins accepts it.

“Thanks for having us tonight.”

Mrs. Galloway—sorry, she’s never going to be Rebecca to me—tilts her head at Collins. “Have you ever painted before?”

Collins shakes her head. “No, never. But I thought it might be fun to try.”

Mrs. Galloway glances at me and smiles. “Well, I’d like to say you’re in good hands with this one, but that’s not the case.” She gives me an affectionate smile and motions to the two empty workspaces at the back of the room. “Feel free to grab those two spots. We’re going to get started soon.”

“Thanks.” Collins’s eyebrows scrunch together, then she walks to one of the stations, and I head to the other. I’m in the middle of shrugging off my coat when Collins leans in and asks in a low voice, “What did she mean by that comment about you?”

I give her a wry smile. “She was my high school art teacher, and let’s just say I’m not Picasso.”

Her eyes narrow, and she leans in again, closer this time. The scent of her perfume washes over me, and I lean in a little closer, inhaling deeper.

I pull back. What the fuck was that?

I rapidly blink and realize I was too lost in my head and missed what she said. “Sorry?”

“It has to be more than you not being a good art student.”

A low chuckle leaves my lips. “She may have caught me making out with a girl in the supply closet once.”

Collins’s hand flies up to cover her mouth and stifle her laugh.

“It was Lacey Klein. She had double Ds—in high school. I couldn’t be expected to turn that down.”

She can’t hold her laugh in any longer, and everyone in the room turns to look at us.

Collins’s face reddens. She’s obviously embarrassed being the center of attention, but it’s worth it to see a genuine smile on her face again.

I’ll make myself the clown a thousand times over if it means getting the old Collins back.

NINE

Collins

Rebecca demonstrates the first step in the process of painting a sunset over a lake with trees on either side, then leaves us for a few minutes to complete it ourselves.

I opt to drink my peppermint white hot chocolate rather than the wine. It’s my favorite, and I don’t want it to go to waste. I also don’t want Ansel to think I’m unappreciative of him taking the time to stop at the café and buy me one. It was a really thoughtful gesture.

I also really appreciate that Ansel isn’t making a big deal out of being here tonight. The evening didn’t start with a big conversation about why we’re here or what we hope to accomplish. All I want is to enjoy an evening and not be so in my head. Not think of Caleb and what I’ve lost. Not feel guilty about trying to move on with my life. Just exist in the world the way I used to.

Other than a few stray thoughts about Caleb, I’m able to do just that. I mostly stay in the moment. It helps that Ansel is a terrible painter and is okay laughing at himself. Like, really awful. Rebecca’s comment when we came in makes sense. Good thing what he lacks in artistic ability, he makes up in humor.