I watched him, and decided to have one little honest moment. “I get my inspiration from many things. Things I feel passionate about, things I have learned for the first time, something that just sort of tweaks, ya know?”
“I don't know at all. I can't even imagine how you do any of this, but I like it. It's all pretty incredible, just like you.”
“Awe,” squealed Brenda.
I casted Brenda a scathing look, hoping she would stop making the situation infinitely worse every time she opened her mouth.
At least he had stopped asking me out, or checking out my body. Asking about my artwork was a little more preferable.
“So if I wanted one of these, how much would it cost me?”
For the first time since Jet arrived, I actually smiled, and it felt really good. “$300,” I told him.
I heard Brenda gasp beside me, and it made the moment that much more enjoyable.
“Really, $300?” He looked back at the artwork, and I could see the wheels turning. I didn't want him to own one of my pieces, but if he was desperate enough to try to impress me, then he could pay for it.
He continued to study a particular drawing, and to my surprise, he took it off the wall and handed it to me.
“You can't be serious.”
“Oh, I am. I will have something of yours.” He chuckled as I rolled my eyes. I watched as he took out his wallet, and literally counted out $300 right in front of me. He handed the money to me, and I took it, thinking that he must have very rich parents. I handed the painting to Brenda and asked her to wrap it as I turned back to him.
“Well, thank you.”
“You're welcome. I can't wait to see what it looks like in my place.”
Brenda finished wrapping the piece and handed it to him.
“Anyway ... I happened to get here in time to overhear your little conversation.”
“What conversation would that have been?” I asked confused.
“Something about needing a changing subject.” I just stared at him, not understanding where he was going with the conversation. “You seem to be having trouble with your project, so I thought I would help you out.”
“How could you possibly help me out? You don't know a thing about art.”
“Well, that's true, but I thought maybe I could help you by being the changing object in your art project.”
“If this is some kind of an erection joke, I'm not finding it very funny.”
He laughed, and I couldn't help but awkwardly join him.
“I'm dead serious, though. I think it would be fun, and it would really help you to finish your project.”
“I don't know.”
“Natalie, there aren't too many people I'm willing to go out on a limb for. Let's just go out once and you can draw me for your project even if you never want to go out with me again. What do you have to lose?”
It was true, I didn't have a clue what I was going to do for the project, and nothing seemed to be coming to me. So maybe I should use Jet for the project, and see how it went. I could always stop it at any time if a better idea came along.
“Alright, Jet, you have a deal, but don't think for a minute you’re getting lucky with an artist. That drawing is as close to me as you're going to get.”
He grinned as he gave me his number, and told me to call him later to meet up. He then put my picture under his arm, and headed out of the tent before I could change my mind.
“Goodbye, beautiful!” he shouted over his shoulder, and just like that, he was gone.
I turned to look at Brenda. “I must be out of my mind.”