8
TOGETHER
CLAUDIA
It was amazing to be out of the house. Michael would love this. John was all I needed. And these little surprises, like taking me to the art store was so important.
Even with the basket in his hand, he looked very handsome. God, he could fit in anywhere, no matter what. It was obvious, though, he didn’t think so.
John was always calm and cool about everything he did. He smiled at me as I gathered a few more paints. The smell of fresh paint and new paper and glue was sweet to my senses.
As John picked up a few tubes of paint from the basket to examine them, I found eyes staring at us again. Girls wondered if he was someone famous. He just had that face—like he should be on the cover of magazines.
His silent question: I do?
You do, John Slater.
John chuckled. “So,
