All Things Beautiful, page 16
He might be wet. Potty training was going well, but kids were prone to accidents when their routines changed. She checked and found he wore a pull-up diaper. Leighton hadn’t donated more than the baby monitor it appeared. Casey smiled and pulled the comforter over them. After a kiss on Andy’s forehead, she tiptoed out.
It wasn’t her business, but she couldn’t help but study the screen showing Leighton’s security feeds. She determined she’d known of all the cameras in the studio and the galleries, and that Leighton’s living space appeared free of electronic eyes. The silence and stillness of the shadows throughout the building gave Casey the creeps, but it would be worse if something were moving.
Truth be told, her nighttime expedition had no reason to continue, but after giving the full bath to her left a cursory look, she stood in the doorway of Leighton’s bedroom, her curiosity getting the best of her.
As her eyes adjusted to the darkness of the large suite, she saw Leighton, who slept facing away from her. Casey looked at the unoccupied half of the bed. In another life, she’d love to slide in beside her. If she moved from the sofa to the bed for a more comfortable sleep, Leighton probably wouldn’t mind, but it didn’t feel right. If she slept in Leighton’s bed, she wanted to be asked.
Casey returned to the couch, downed half the glass of water Leighton had left her, and went back to sleep.
When she awoke hours later, she heard giggling and loud shushing coming from down the hall. She recognized Andy’s exuberant laughter and guessed the not-so-subtle quieting came from Kalyssa. She opened her eyes. Through the window, the rising sun turned the sky into glorious oranges and magentas.
She folded the quilt and went to find them. When she peeked into Kalyssa’s room, Casey found Andy, Kalyssa, and Leighton playing on the floor. Leighton wore a robe, her legs tucked to the side, and looked more elegant than any woman had a right to look at daybreak. They built something with large, colorful bricks. Kalyssa sat cross-legged beside Leighton, and Andy stood on her other side. He struggled to separate a yellow brick from a red one.
“Help.” He handed them to Leighton, then leaned against her shoulder as she used a fingernail to pop them apart.
“Here you go.”
He squatted to exchange the yellow for a green one.
Leighton noticed her. “Good morning. How did you sleep?” Her smile held surprise and something more.
Casey liked whatever it was as she joined them on the floor. “Wonderful. I’m sorry I passed out on you.”
Leighton gave her a soft smile. “I’m glad you did. You needed it.”
Casey touched Andy’s head. “Hi, baby.”
He glanced at her, but his attention remained on the toys.
Leighton stood with ease, and how her robe stayed closed astounded Casey.
“I’m going to make breakfast. Who’d like oatmeal?”
“Me!” Kalyssa’s answer beat Andy’s by a split second.
Leighton looked at Casey and raised an eyebrow.
Casey ran her fingers through her messy hair. “You don’t have to cook for us. We should go.”
This time, both of Leighton’s eyebrows arched, and she gave her a look. “It’s oatmeal, Casey, not a gourmet breakfast.”
She smiled at Leighton’s humor. “Okay, that sounds good. Then we’ll get out of your way.”
Leighton gave her shoulder a soft squeeze as she passed by. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Forty-five minutes later, after they’d eaten oatmeal with warm apples, blonde raisins, brown sugar, and cinnamon, Casey and Andy rode down the elevator. She hoped it wouldn’t take too long to get home, shower and change, drop him off, and be back for class. They stepped out of the elevator just as Maxine let herself in the front door.
“Oh!” Maxine looked from her to Andy. “You’re here already? I wasn’t expecting anyone this early.”
“Yeah, we’re here early today.” Casey didn’t give any further explanation. “Have a good morning.” She herded Andy out the door so fast, Maxine didn’t have an opportunity to ask more questions.
Andy, with his little legs, struggled to keep up, but Casey didn’t slow until they’d turned the corner. Leighton’s worry about what Maxine would do if a relationship between them came to light echoed in her head. Nothing happened, she told herself. Then she remembered the softness of Leighton’s neck under her fingers and the sweet press of Leighton’s lips to her palm.
* * *
“Good morning, dear.” Aileen kissed Casey on the cheek and took Andy from her. “And how’s my favorite little boy?”
He threw his arms around her neck and buried his face in her bright red hair. Aileen had never kept the fact she colored her locks a secret. Casey had bought her a box of Clairol’s Flaming Desire more than once. She loved to bake, and her sweet nature and plumpness made her hugs twice as comforting.
Casey set Andy’s Minion backpack against the wall.
“We have big plans today.” Aileen addressed Andy. “We’re going to the park to play on the swings.”
Andy lifted his head and grinned a baby-toothed smile.
“I thought you might like that.” She kissed him on his temple. “Has he eaten?”
“He had oatmeal, but you know him.” Casey chuckled. “He’ll eat again if you offer.”
“Do you want to help me make pancakes? You can stir everything in the bowl.”
At her suggestion, Andy squirmed, and she set him down. He pulled at the sleeves of his jacket.
Aileen touched a finger to her lip and smiled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Give me a kiss good-bye first.” Casey caught him and helped remove his coat.
“Bye-bye.” He met her lips with a wet kiss.
Casey planted another one on his forehead before letting him go. “Be good. I love you, little man.” She tousled his hair as he took off toward the kitchen. “Thanks, Aileen.”
“Have fun today, dear.” Aileen hugged her, then held her at arm’s length. “Are you getting enough sleep?” She thumbed Casey’s cheek below her eye.
Casey nodded. “I’ve been putting in some extra hours painting, but yes.” She didn’t mention where she’d slept, and Andy was young enough to have moved on to more exciting things like pancakes. If he mentioned oatmeal, she hoped he wouldn’t mention who’d made it for him. Casey didn’t need troublesome questions with complicated answers from anyone else. She had plenty of her own.
Chapter Twenty-one
Even with the sun shining brightly, the crisp morning air made Leighton shiver, despite her cashmere cardigan. It wasn’t her favorite sweater. Casey had worn that one home, and it’d looked so good on her, Leighton didn’t care if she ever got it back.
Stefan side-eyed her as he grabbed two folded landscape easels from the stack leaning against the wall outside the front door of the atelier. He loaded them into the back of his beloved red and white Volkswagen van parked at the curb.
Excited about their combined class outing, Leighton followed with the last two as she scanned the street. She didn’t recognize any of the vehicles or pedestrians. The day was definitely off to a good start.
Stefan took the easels from her with a grunt. “You seem to be in a better mood.”
“Maybe let’s not have that conversation here.” Leighton glanced at the gallery, where inside, Maxine watched Kalyssa. Hopefully, she hadn’t run into Casey earlier.
She didn’t know why guilt filled her. Casey and Andy had stayed the night because Andy’s bedtime had passed hours before, and Casey couldn’t keep her eyes open. It’s not like Leighton had found time to extend an offer. She’d found Casey asleep before she could. Casey caressing her neck didn’t need to enter the conversation, should one be necessary, nor did her thoughtless kiss on Casey’s palm.
“I’m talking about your mood, Vaughn, nothing more.” Stefan took the easels from her. “You went from cranky as hell to this.” He motioned at her. “Your cheerful humming is driving me nuts.”
“I’m not humming.” Leighton scoffed. “I don’t hum.” Was she? She seemed to have an upbeat song stuck in her head.
“Sure, you don’t.” He scrunched his forehead. “So, you resolved your camera issue?” He all but put air quotes around it.
“Stefan.” Her tone held a warning edge, and she glanced at the front door. It was closed, of course. She’d never prop it open, and neither would he. Still, Maxine could walk out at any time.
He glanced at her from where he rearranged things in the van. “I said I wouldn’t bring anything up, and I won’t. No rule says we can’t talk around the issue.”
“There’s nothing to bring up, and there’s no issue.” Her curtness belied her response.
He held his hand out for another easel. “You were busy in your office after we talked the other day. Busy, busy, busy.”
“My office has glass walls. It’s not like it was a secret meeting.” She turned so she could watch the entrance.
“Casey didn’t look happy.” He laughed.
Leighton recalled the conversation. “She’s a spitfire, and unhappy doesn’t begin to cover it.”
“Oh, really?” His eyes gleamed.
Leighton handed him the bag of paper towels and the sunscreen and switched to a whisper. “She was livid and accused me of being a voyeur who watches the cameras for fun or out of boredom. I wasn’t about to let her think that, so I explained why I have them. That’s why I took her upstairs.”
“I can’t believe you told her.” He stared at her, hands on his hips.
“Not all the details, but yes.” Leighton lifted the box of snacks from the sidewalk and handed it to him. “I told her.”
“That’s a big step.” He found room for them on top of the easels. “Still, I wouldn’t have guessed she’d get the grand tour. I know how much you cherish your privacy.”
She leaned against the open door of the van. “I had to because I wanted her to know.” The admittance surprised her. “There was no tour, though. We only went a few feet inside.”
He glanced at the third floor of the building. “Did she calm down after she found out you live here?”
“Yes.” Leighton recalled how Casey had been calm enough to attempt to kiss her, but she wasn’t about to mention that part. When she remembered how Casey had held her hand and caressed her cheek, she felt anything but peaceful.
Was Casey right? Could they have something and keep it quiet? They wouldn’t need to shout it from the rooftop. She’d never been a fan of public displays of emotion, certainly not while at work, so she didn’t fear slipping up while teaching. When she’d seen Kalyssa with Casey, she couldn’t help but imagine what a life with the four of them might be like. Andy had warmed to her, and her protective nature came out when around him. Poor little guy, sleeping on a couch in the studio.
No, it wasn’t right. This wasn’t how her parents raised her to act. Even if they were gone, she refused to be a disappointment to those who mattered to her, and she wouldn’t take advantage of Casey like that, no matter how Casey saw the situation.
She shut the van’s door harder than necessary.
“I left a box of maple bars in the kitchen.” Stefan gave her an evil grin.
“I don’t understand how you do it.” She’d need to run sets of stairs if she ate like him. “Let’s go inside.”
Half an hour later, Stefan had eaten two of the doughnuts by the time Leighton gathered everyone in the studio. Most of them wore jackets since it’d be cool by the water. Casey had arrived last, but she’d run home, taken Andy to daycare, and returned faster than Leighton had expected. She’d planned on texting her directions to meet them there. Now, not having a reason felt like a missed opportunity, despite being pleased to see her.
“Stefan will drive the van with the easels and supplies. He only has room for one of you. The rest of us will meet them down there.” Leighton pointed south. “It’s a short walk, only half a mile.”
Mikala tapped Stefan on the shoulder. “I can help you unload everything.” She flexed her biceps.
“That’d be great.” He pulled on a black beanie.
“Double-check and make sure you have everything you need.” Leighton picked up her pochade box. “We’ll be painting en plein air in Gantry Plaza State Park. It offers many choices of subjects. You can paint Manhattan’s skyline, the water, architectural elements, bridges, or foliage. Just don’t set up too far from the group so Stefan and I can make it around to all of you.”
Leighton zipped her jacket. “The assignments you’ve done so far have been indirect, or painting in layers. Today we’ll be painting wet-in-wet, or direct painting. Our goal is to finish it in one session. This is called alla prima, which means at first attempt. You’ll have to be more purposeful with your brushstrokes. This style isn’t as tight, so don’t waste time finessing edges and worrying about details in the beginning. Block in your large masses and work from there. And don’t be afraid to paint loosely. Realism doesn’t mean painting tightly. Remember, the Impressionists were realists.”
“This is what you meant by a field trip?” Jenna’s scowl announced her opinion on the matter. “I thought we’d be visiting a museum or something.”
“You’ll be in the field painting. That’s why I asked you to wear dark shirts or jackets. If you forgot, like Phoenix here, please borrow a smock, or the glare off your shirt is going to give you fits today.” She tossed him one. “Okay, grab your stuff, and let’s head out.”
Stefan and Mikala left first to find a parking space and begin unloading. The rest headed down, most using the stairs and a few taking the elevator.
Leighton touched Casey’s arm as they descended the last flight. “I need to say good-bye to Kalyssa. I’ll be right out.”
Casey lingered as they entered the gallery. “Mind if I say hi?”
“Not at all. She’d like that.”
Behind Kalyssa, Maxine covered her free ear as she tried to hear whoever was on the phone.
“Bye, Mom.” Kalyssa ran up and wrapped her arms around Leighton’s legs.
Leighton kissed the top of her head. “You can come when you’re a little older. Okay, love?”
Kalyssa nodded and flashed Casey a shy smile, punctuating it with a little wave. “Bye, Casey.”
“Bye, Kalyssa. Good luck selling paintings to—” She dropped to a knee, lifted Kalyssa’s wrist, and smiled. Kalyssa wore the black string, now braided and secured to the nut on her wrist. “I like your bracelet.” Casey rose.
“Mom made it for me. I decided I don’t care if things are straight or not.” Kalyssa’s firm tone equaled her expression.
Leighton held back a smile.
“Me either.” Casey winked at her. “The smartest people never do.”
Casey’s whispered words caused Kalyssa to beam. Observing their interaction made Leighton’s chest feel strange.
Maxine set down the phone. “Leighton, just so you know, we’ve been getting multiple hang-up calls the past few days from a blocked number.” She flicked a red fingernail at the receiver. “Not that one, though. George couldn’t find his wallet. How the man ran corporations is beyond me. Remind me to send his old assistants expensive Christmas gifts.”
Leighton couldn’t focus on Maxine’s ramblings. Was Jeffrey ramping up his stalking? Her knees weakened. There was a reason she never answered the gallery’s phone. “Thanks. Keep me updated.”
As she and Casey exited the building, she looked around but saw no sign of Jeffrey’s SUV parked anywhere, though he could drive something else. She checked the door had latched behind her and touched Casey’s elbow. “Would you mind walking with me?”
They headed toward Gantry Plaza. Autumn was in the air, in the way it blew leaves from the few trees along the street and in the cooler temperature. Even as she walked, she remained aware of those around her. The one-hundred feet the restraining order mandated didn’t apply to the atelier, but to her and Kalyssa. She didn’t think Jeffrey was stupid enough to approach her while sober, but his alcohol abuse made him unpredictable. She didn’t know how much he drank or whether he attended Alcoholics Anonymous as the judge had advised.
Casey touched the small of her back. “Is everything okay?”
Leighton nodded. She didn’t need to worry Casey, who had enough concerns. “It’s fine. Tell me where you are with your entry for the exhibition.” She’d asked Casey to walk with her because she wanted to make sure Casey stayed on track to make the deadline.
Casey zipped her jacket to her chin. “It’s coming along, and I expect to finish on time.”
Leighton glanced at her. “There’s only one live model session left. Will that be enough, or should I schedule another?”
“Three hours will be plenty.” Casey rubbed her hands together. “But thank you for the offer.”
That’s what she’d hoped to hear. Casey might not win the opportunity to go to Florence, but she’d be a shoo-in for the exhibition. Leighton had always entered a work in the past, but now it didn’t feel right to compete with her students.
“Please allow time for Maxine to photograph it with her professional camera. She’d never say no, but that doesn’t mean I want students asking things of her at the last minute.”
Casey brushed her hair from her face. “I’d never do that to her.”
No, that wasn’t her style, and Leighton didn’t know why she’d said anything. Besides Casey being talented, hard-working, generous, and caring, thoughtfulness was one of her finest attributes. Leighton admired these qualities in a partner. Everything she wanted seemed to be wrapped in one perfect package, right under her nose and right beyond reach.
