Unleashed

Chapter Twenty-One: Canvas

"So..what is 'The Palette' exactly?" She asked, inquisitive. I realized I had been so nervous, I didn't actually tell her what we're doing here.

"'The Palette' is an art center that gives classes for beginners and advanced painters every week. Every class, they teach you how to draw a different piece. A lot of people come here for date nights or whatever. They even serve you wine so you can drink while you paint, but I opted for something a bit more our style." I rushed my words out as fast as I could, hoping she caught all that so I didn't have to repeat it. I had no idea if this was lame or not but at least it was different..right?

I got the courage to tear my eyes away from the building to study her expression. She was staring at me, smiling from ear to ear. She actually looked, dare I say..excited?

"It's scotch..please say you mean scotch!"  She beamed and clapped her hands together. I actually found myself laughing. Two seconds ago I was on the verge of crying, and now I was laughing? She's incredible.

"Yes, I mean scotch. Obviously." I fidgeted with the sleeve of my shirt, still feeling nervous. "So, you don't think this is lame? You can be honest."

She looked at me like I had just said something ridiculous. "Are you kidding? Getting drunk and painting shit? Sounds like a good time to me." She smiled, and I found myself relaxing.

"Well, that's a relief. I was afraid you'd think it was cheesy." I wiped sweat from my forehead, and began to realize how much I really needed that scotch.

"I think it's a great idea, Ryker! We could be making pottery to the song Unchained Melody and I wouldn't think it was cheesy. As long as I was with you." She grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze, and I wondered how I got so lucky.

Emma Riley

The Palette

The outside looked cozy and quaint for something in the city. When we walked in, the place was empty except for a woman with long curly brown hair, brown eyes and glasses that identified herself as the owner, Shelby. She was probably in her thirties and greeted us with a genuine-looking smile.

The room was filled with several long tables covered in white tablecloths, accompanied with ten black stools and ten blank canvas on each table.

The back wall was made of brick and had the words 'Uncork Your Inner Artist' on it with light green letters. The brick wall appeared to have hangers on it for people's coats and purses. Ryker eventually went over and hung up his black overcoat.

I found myself shamlessly oogling his body. In his buttoned white shirt you could see his muscular frame and broad shoulders. He looked up at me and caught me checking him out, and he gave me a knowing smirk.

Shelby  told us to go ahead and have a seat anywhere, and brought out a bottle of scotch from under the white counter by the front door. She said they normally wouldn't serve anything but beer or wine, but who's going to say no to Ryker Fox?

We sat down on two of the stools at the very back table that was by the brick wall while Shelby  went to collect our brushes and paint. I couldn't stop smiling despite all the drama that surely lies ahead for us.

Coming here was a super cute idea. I hadn't pegged Ryker  for the artist type, but he actually looked at home. I have to admit, I know very little about art..but I've always wished I had talent for it.