Stroked

-Chapter 21-

-Chapter 21-

-Oliver-

"Dude, your girl fell asleep on the couch." Matt walks up with his beer in his hand.

I wipe the sweat away from my forehead and heave the canvas I painted of Amy before I knew here to a safe spot so she can't find it. I can't have her freaking out on me. I know I would be scared shitless.

"Good, I need to get some work done anyways." I start brushing away crumbs of pottery pieces and bring back the chair to my desk to start working on some papers for the office and orders from buyers for my art.

"You've really changed in a week's time." Matt announces, sitting down on my bed, making it creak a bit from his weight.

"I don't think so." I say, hardly even listening to him and stamping down on a file. I'm a bit behind, but I already knew I was going to be. It was worth it.

"You seem happier, in a way."

I toss some paper in the trash and look up.

"I am, okay? Now, please leave me alone, I have a lot of work I need to catch up on." I watch as he nonchalantly sips from his drink and gets up.

"What's for dinner tonight?" He asks, patting his stomach, looking at me because I usually cook, which isn't a good thing. We both suck at it, but I just suck a bit less.

"Sorry, you have to fend for yourself. I'm taking Amy out for dinner tonight." Matt shakes his head at the news but tilts his head back to finish his drink and tosses it away.

"I'll just order Chinese or something, but you owe me." He grins, putting his hand on my shoulder and giving it a little shake. I do love my brother, but he really needs to get it together sometimes.

"Thanks." I say, returning to my paperwork and I start to think about where I should take Amy. I vaguely remember her saying that she enjoys Italian food and I remember that time we ate together when we first met. It was such a funny day. We met at an exhibit and instantly we're the best of friends. I think it was just instant attraction.

No, it was the girl in the painting.

No.

Don't think like that.

I kick off my shoes and drag a hand through my hair, which is growing back a bit now. I breathe in the smell of paint chips and brushes and succumb to my work space. Remembering all the good and bad memories that comes with the job.

---

"What're you up to?" A voice asks from behind me. Amy leans up against the doorway, putting up a hand to cover her yawn. Her hair is a bit ragged and her clothes are wrinkled a bit but she still looks nice.

"I'm still finishing up some work. Do you know what you'd like for dinner?" I ask as she somewhat sleep-walks forward and stumbles down on the bed, laying flat on her back.

"Surprise me." She says, yawning again. Stretching out her legs and feet.

"Okay, do you wanna get ready? I'll finish the rest when we get back." I push back my chair and get up, brushing off some curls of eraser from my pants.

"Sure, I'll go take a shower." She slowly gets up off the bed and heads to her suitcase to get a change of clothes before heading to the bathroom. I paitently wait while the water starts up and I can hear the water running smoothly.