off. The bar is doing great. We can afford for you to take a few nights off with the extra bar staff we have.”
Matthew relaxed. The idea of a fun night off sounded great, but he hadn’t heard from Aubree since he had sent the second hanky-panky challenge to her and he was worried.
“So, when are you going to see her again?”
“Not sure. I gave her my number and I’m waiting to see if she’ll call.”
The second he said that his cell phone pinged.
“I bet it’s her!” Will chuckled.
“It’s not.” Still, he checked the phone and when he saw an unfamiliar number with the message: “This is Aubree Cole.” He couldn’t stop grinning.
“See? It’s her. The universe is listening, my friend.” Will slid onto the bar stool facing Matthew. “So, what did she say?”
“Don’t know yet.” Matthew watched the three dots appearing on the chat screen to indicate she was typing. A second later her message popped up.
“She’s inviting me to a paint and drink night.”
“A what?” Will asked, his look of bafflement comical.
“One of those places where you drink wine and paint a picture or something. Usually there are other people there.” He had to admit he was a little disappointed.
Will used his hand to imitate a crashing plane including dramatic sound effects of an explosion. “Sorry bud but sounds like a strikeout. She’s basically taking you to a chick thing. She’s knocked you off the bed list and into the friend zone.”
Matthew typed in a quick reply asking for details and ignored his friend. Aubree messaged back the address and a time for that night at eight PM.
“You okay with me leaving tonight at 7:30?” he asked.
“Sure, sure. Paint something nice,” Will snickered. “Maybe we can hang it up in the bar.”
“Shut up, asshole!” He laughed as he threw a towel at his friend. Will caught the towel and flung it back before heading toward the kitchen on the restaurant end of the bar.
Matthew worked until 7:30, then called a taxi to take him to the painting place. When the car stopped in front of the shop, he got out and cringed as he saw a dozen women seated around easels, wineglasses in one hand, and paintbrushes in the other. He had nothing against wine, women, or painting, but a man belonged nowhere near them when all three were combined.
“Matthew!” Aubree called out his name from the doorway. He rushed up the steps and inside the shop while she held the door for him. When she closed the door, he got a good look at her. She wore jeans and a soft white cashmere sweater that hugged her curves just right. Her hair was in lush auburn waves around her face and she wore just a hint of makeup. God, she was so fucking gorgeous.
“Hey…” she greeted softly as her lashes swept down across her cheekbones shyly.
“Hey…” He replied, unable to resist reaching up to bury his fingers in her hair. It glowed in the soft lights, rich and dark with hints of red and gold, like autumn leaves.
“Sorry, I didn’t text you sooner this week. Work’s been hectic.”
“Never apologize,” he replied. “I was worried I scared you off.”
She bit her bottom lip and he fought off the urge to grab her hair and kiss her hard, maybe even bite that lip himself.
“You didn’t scare me. You kiss like a dream.” Her breathless response made him grin and lean down, feathering his lips over hers. Given enough time, he could show her all the different ways he knew how to kiss.
“Come on,” she said, taking his hand. “We’re in the back.” She led him by the open room of women painting. They all paused to stare.
“Whew, girl. You’re one lucky woman!” Someone called out. Heat rose underneath Matthew’s shirt collar and he plucked at it as he passed the women.
“We aren’t painting with them?” Matthew asked Aubree.
“Oh God, no. I’m not that mean.” She laughed and pulled the handle of a roughhewn wooden door that opened into a private studio. But there were no easels, no paint, no one else. Instead, there were piles of wooden boards, stencils and paint.
“I thought this might be more fun.” She nodded at the room. “We’re going to make handmade signs. Does that sound fun?”
Actually, it did. Matthew loved working with his hands.
“Yeah, this is great.” He let her lead him to a rack where he removed his coat and rolled up sleeves. Aubree pushed up her sweater sleeves and motioned for