Another busy day in would be paradise, I managed to sell my first painting!

It was supposed to be a gift for cookie baby down at the Coffee Bean for her years of taking care of me in a second mother. They were two large 36 x 36 sized oil paintings, a tricky type of paint for me, but loving the playtime with it. One was a beautiful crafty purple mug displaying warm hues as it rested on a red plate. The other was a teal teapot on a much larger yellow tray, focusing on more of a cooler tone.

Cookie fell in love with them when I showed her the pictures that she offered a hundred bucks each. I didn't want to charge her that much, but she threatened but beat me with a wooden spoon if I didn't. Plus, they would be on display in the Coffee Bean itself. Imagine that, my work in the Coffee Bean for all to see.

For their protection and large size, I wrapped them in thick burlap and strapped a cord around them. I rushed down the street with them either over my head or on my back like a backpack. Our group would be meeting up for lunch as well, so I was asked to stop my Jasmine's place and escort her and the baby. This would be a good chance to ask her what size Elizabeth wears. The little one has her first birthday coming up and I've been spotting the cutest little outfits online.

Texting her as soon as I arrived inside her complex, I wasn't about to carry two large canvas's up a flight of stairs only to turn around and go back down. They weren't heavy, but after hoping trolley's and walked a few blocks it can get exhausting. What if I bumped into something sharp or took another wrong turn around a corner? Nah, I wasn't risking it when they were so close to their new home.

Staring at the vending machine I knew we would be having lunch soon and that I shouldn't ruin my appetite. On the other hand, the machine was carrying garden salsa sun chips that were just screaming for me. Propping up the paintings where I could safely watch them, I dug for my change purse in the satchel and began my pursuit.

The coil turned and the chips were released. It wasn't until I bent over to retrieve my snack that I saw a flash followed by a mechanical clicking noise.

"Hello there, salty goodness."

I knew that voice...I fucking knew that voice!

Turning around I saw Andrew Howell leaning on the stair railing with a smirk across his lips and a camera in his hand, feeling quite proud of himself.

"Did you just take a picture of me?"

"Since you said I would not see that ass of yours again, I figured I'd take extra measures to save a good view of it."

"Delete that picture now."

His smile grew wider, he loved seeing how flustered this made me. "Give me a kiss and I will."

"Ha!"

"What? I am a man of my word."

"First of all, that's sexual harassment and secondly I'd sell my soul to the devil for a bag of these chips before I'd kiss you."

I opened the bag of chips to indulge only to have his large fingers reach in before mine and take a few. His eyes never left mine as he seductively licked the chip before taking it into his mouth. Once devoured he took the second chip and placed it between his lips. Reaching behind me he placed his hand on the vending machine and leaned down until his face was just inches away from mine, wanting me to take the chip with my mouth.

Rolling my eyes I shook my head, "Not happening"

"Is that your final answer?" He mumbled with the chip still in his mouth.

"Not in a million years."

He surrendered and ate the chip, then as a revenge of being rejected he snatched the bag from me and backed away. I was not falling for his little game of chase, instead, I pulled out more change to get me a second bag of chips.

The money was in and just as I was about to hit the code, Andrew once again intervened but pressing a bunch of random keys. Giving me a honey bun instead.

"You asshole!" I cursed as I reached down for my would-be snack. Don't get me wrong I love honey buns but it was so rare that I could get my hands on my favorite sun chip.

"Wow, Did you do this?"

I spun around to see what he was getting into now, it just so happened to be my paintings.

"Ah no! Not those, get your crumby hands off!" I pulled the burlap back down and pulled them away from him.

"Those are extremely good."

"Thanks,"

"Do you sell them?" He asked.

"When I can."

He opened his mouth to speak but heard a door slam from upstairs followed by Jasmine's voice echoing. Instead, he just smiled and winked at me before walking away back towards his place. Such an odd one, and for a moment he actually sounded sincere.

"Better get a good look sweetheart," He mocked me. "This may be the last time you to see this ass of mine."

"Somehow I seriously doubt that."

"I'm glad you agree," Andrew turned around and playfully walked backward. "Enjoy that honey bun, be sure to think of me when you put your mouth on it."

"Ugh," And he just ruined it. "Really dude!"

I shook my head as he turned back around the left. Taking my own advice I pulled out my phone and got a picture of him walking back to his apartment. The guy was an absolute idiot.

Cookie baby fell head over heels in love with her new art pieces, I got my money along with a free piece of pecan pie. She hung them on the old brick wall that covered the small dining area. I felt it was the perfect place for the canvas. With its large even shape and edgy style, the art blend in with the red brick and warm lighting. Creating the most perfect rustic setting. She then proceeded to stand on a chair and yell at the customers

"Ya'll look at what my baby girl made for me!" She gestured to the one with the teapot. "She's a painter, and she sittin over there with her pie."

"Thank you...cookie." I said as more eyes were directed at me.

That was considered her little bits of self advertising for her local artist. It seemed to work because people were looking, some even pulled out their phones for a picture. Even newer people just walking in seemed to noticed, that made me proud.

Lunch was a pleasant one as well. Keiko was late a but remained her bubbly self. We all shared our weekly events and for once mine was not depressing or whiny at all. There were no complaints and I seemed to have the support of my group. The only thing that would make this day better is if Evelyn was a part of our crew, I believe they would like her.

We were in the middle of discussing Halloween plan when little Elizabeth started crying.

"Uh-oh it's bottle time." Jasmine laughed as she reached out and extended the baby towards me.

"Whoa, what are you doing?" I said leaning back like the little crying creature was going to poison me. It wasn't that I didn't love Elizabeth, I'm just not good with babies...especially if they're already screaming their head off. What if I do something wrong?

"Hold her for a minute," Jasmine replied, "I have to get her bottle ready."

"I honestly don't think I can." I shook my head and pulled my hands back. "Let Keiko do it."

"She almost dropped her last time."

"I'm sorry," Keiko whimpered with her hands over her ears, "I say a bee okay!"

"I don't understand," Jasmine said becoming irritated, "Why won't you just take her...you never hold her."

"You know I have anxiety Jazz,"

Before I was pressured by a screaming kid and customers starting to look over their shoulder Beckett came to my rescue again. "Here I'll show Cora how to fix the bottle and you just calm her...she loves her mommy."

"Okay, just make sure you do it right," Jasmine said as she cradled Elizabeth, "Wrist test it."

"We will."

Not only did he save me once again I got to go into the back room with him where employees take their breaks and watch him fix a bottle. He gave me measurements and instruction so that I could do this next time and get out of holding a baby. He always knew I had issues with parental things like that, especially since parenting wasn't my thing.

It was nice to finaly carry a carefree conversation with him. We haven't talked since I spent the night at his house the day I was kicked out and whooped his ass at Halo.

"So you like your new job?"

"Loving it!"

"That's good, I always knew you would make it. All you need is a little push and support from the right people."

"Being out from under his roof does feel so relieving." I told him, "The first few days were hell and at one point I even missed the bastard, but now I just feel free."

"That's wonderful," Beckett smiled. Looking over his shoulder and seeing no one else there he moved closer to me and proceeded to speak. "We don't get to hang out like we used to when Isaiah was still around."

"Yeah," I smiled, thinking about Jasmines brother brought back some memories...some of them sad. "I miss him, I miss us."

"I was wondering if you wanted to go out with me tomorrow since I'm off and I think you said you were off as well."

"Yeah that's be great but I don't think Keiko gets off until four tomorrow."

Beckett laughed nervously as he twisted the nipple back on the bottle. "No, I was actually meaning...well I was hoping, it would just be the two of us. Together."

I blinked a few times as the light bulb above my head exploded. Was he asking what I think he was asking? "You mean...like a date?"

"Yeah. I've liked you for a while now but I didn't know what would happen if I asked," Beckett fumbled to test the bottle on his wrist. "I mean I'm still not sure, but I'd like to go with my gut and find out."

"I've never been on a date before."

"I know, I'm sorry if this is coming out weird. You don't have to say yes-"

"No! I want to go out with you... with us...together." My words with fumbling like a complete idiot. "I've liked you too... for a while now."

"Okay." Beckett smiled awkwardly, "So tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow."

"Great." Without warning Beckett leaned down and kissed my cheek. "I better give Elizabeth her bottle now."

Beckett rushed out of the break room like he was being chased by a werewolf, leaving me standing there completely electrocuted from the kiss.

Look at that, a whole chapter and nothing bad happened to Cora, lol. Bet your guys were thinking that poor girl, why does the writer hate her soul.

Cora has official had double the fun with the men in her life, oh where do we go from here.

Also, below are the painting she did. This is just for reference to get an idea of her painting style and not really done by me. The credit for these beautiful pieces goes to its right owner and kudos to them! - they are beautiful.