There it was—the real question. Kat stared into her cup and told herself it didn’t matter. She’d had a nice weekend with a great guy, and it didn’t need to be more than that. She had plenty to keep her busy—friends, a good job, and her painting. With the upcoming show, her life was moving along just fine. No relationship needed.
“Hello?” Mia waved a hand. “You expecting that mug to turn into a crystal ball and answer my question?”
Kat let out a long groan. “No, we don’t have a definite plan. But if he gets this HomeBuilders gig, he might have to come back here for something.”
“And you could come up with all kinds of reasons to go visit your grandmother.”
“I am definitely not running back to Colorado every weekend. That would be ridiculous. Besides my show, we’re getting ready to start a new project at the museum, plus we still have the volunteer stuff with the kids.”
“Have you heard from him since he left?”
“Yeah, he texted me when he got home last night.” Of course, that had been midnight Eastern time, and she’d missed the text. Wasn’t a bad thing to wake up to, though.He missed me already.
“Ah, out of sight, but not out of mind. That’s a good sign.”
Sign of what, Kat wondered. “But how long before out of sight turns to out of mind with work and everyday life? We’re both busy.”
“Why do you have to worry about that now?” Mia demanded.
“Maybe I don’t.” She’d never had a long-distance relationship. Never left anyone special behind when she went to college. Unfortunately, Nick didn’t like the city, and that’s where her life was. She began gathering her things. “Come on. Let’s head over to the studio. I need to get some work done today. I’ve got a meeting with Pete tomorrow.” She’d spent two days goofing off with Nick, and even more time thinking about the man. Time to put the fantasy aside and get back to real life.
“With Pete, wow, and you’re just now mentioning this? That Nick guy really was a distraction then.”
Kat sputtered a laugh. He was indeed.
“Meeting about the show, I presume?”
“Yeah. Hopefully I’ll get all the dates and details and a list of which paintings he wants.”
“Cool.”
Inside the studio, Kat quickly became absorbed in her work. With bold, fluid motions, she completed the first layer of a whimsical landscape with bright wildflowers dancing in the foreground and mountain peaks behind.
She looked up when she felt Mia’s presence beside her.
Mia set a fresh cup of tea on Kat’s side table. “Hmm,” she said. “One might think you’ve got the mountains on your mind. Maybe the Rockies? Yep. Definitely has that Colorado vibe.”
Kat shot her a sideways glance then looked back at her painting. It definitely did.
She’d been painting Colorado scenes for years, right? But they’re more interesting now, a voice whispered inside.
* * *
Hands on his hips, Nick studied the interior space of the shop, visualizing Kat’s paintings on display and wondering how many it would take to make an impact and get people looking. If she could send him some before tourist season kicked in, he’d bet he could sell more than a few, especially if she included some mountain landscapes. Better yet, maybe she’d be willing to deliver them. She could fly into Colorado Springs and not even have to–
“Has that wall done something to offend you, hon?”
Nick startled at the sound of Trena’s voice. Though she had the Sunday afternoon shift, he hadn’t heard her come in. “What’s that?”
“You’re glaring at that wall as if it reached out and tripped you or something.”
“Oh.” Nick laughed off the comment, embarrassed at having been caught daydreaming. “Just thinking.”
Trena’s brows arched. “Good thoughts, I hope. How’d it go in New York?”
“Great. Really good. Spent some time with an artist whose work I might want to consign. Lives in New York, but she’s from Denver, so still counts as local.” He gestured toward the wall. “They’d give us a nice block of color for spring.”
Trena stared at him, her expression turning into a puzzled frown. “What about the interview?”
