“I’m fine,” I tell Sofia, squeezing her hand back. “Just ready for this day to be over.” So I can finally hide from my family and…him.
“You did so well, Gabby,” Sofia whispers, nudging her shoulder against mine. “Your paintings were the best in this room. I can’t imagine having your talent. I would probably go around town painting murals and wreaking havoc on every wall I see!”
A chuckle slips out, and I clap a hand over my mouth when more than just one head turns our way. “Please don’t make me laugh while my professor is up there talking,” I tell her, as another laugh threatens to bubble up.
We trade a smile before turning back to the front, where Professor Arturo is droning on about the importance of art to society in the new age of inauthenticity—or something along those lines. But it’s hard to focus on what he’s saying as my mind wanders to the one person it’s not supposed to go. There’s a prickling sensation at the back of my neck like someone iswatching me, and I’m afraid to turn around and find out if it’s Nico.
Don’t look.
You can ignore him.
Okay, maybe just a quick peek. I will take one look—it’ll be like not looking at all. Maybe one sweeping glance over the people behind me. My finger starts tapping on my knee, and I’m back to feeling restless again.
Still, I should resist the urge to turn around and…dammit.
I curse under my breath when my eyes drift from the front where the professor is talking, like they have a mind of their own, and find Nico. He’s seated with my father a row behind mine, and his eyes are fixed on me. He’s watching me intensely, and I feel the prickling sensation turn into a burning one. The kind that leaves my skin flushed and sensitive. A slow heat builds in my belly the longer I look into his eyes before moving lower and making me throb as warmth pools between my legs. I squeeze my thighs together, mortified by my body’s reaction to a single look.
Christ, why does he have to look so damn hot. I can’t help but run my eyes over his sharp features, the slightly unruly hair, and those lips… I’ve had countless dreams about those lips.
I hate that he makes me feel this way. One look and I’m melting. Even after making it clear that I am nothing more than a little sister to him, I still can’t help it. I try to pull my gaze away, but they stay, lingering on his frame, tall and handsome. So damn hot. And when I realize that mine are not the only eyes watching him, I can’t help the vicious stab of jealousy that makes me want to confront every single one of these women until they all know he’s mine.
But he’s not.
“…And as we send these young, talented students out into the world, we hope they will preserve the integrity of art. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to announce the winner of the Heart to Canvas contest…”
Nico doesn’t belong to me, or anyone else, for that matter. Without a ring on his finger, of course other women will look at him with desire. Some will even have better luck with him than I ever could.
Look away, Gabby!
“…This individual has exhibited great talent, and I have to admit that I could even learn a thing or two from them. Every once in a while, you come across someone with talent so brilliant and unique that even as their professor, you’re afraid to touch it and somehow corrupt…”
Someone calls my name, but I’m too lost in my head for it to immediately register. Sofia nudges my arm, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Huh?” I ask, fighting the urge to run a restless hand through my hair.
“I think that professor just called your name,” Sofia says, just for my ears. “Unless you have another Gabriella Rossi in your class.”
“Me? Why?” I ask, panicked. “What? I don’t—”
“Smile,” she urges from the corner of her mouth, and I automatically do so, noticing with horror that everyone is looking at me. “Congratulations on winning the award for the Art to Canvas contest.”
“Heart to Canvas,” I correct, my eyes widening when I realize what it means. “Wait, I won?” But how? The contestwas for all students—seniors and juniors both. Nearly a hundred paintings had been submitted, and mine won?
Sofia nudges me to stand and walk forward. Somehow, I make it to the podium where my professor is holding a certificate.
“Congratulations, Miss Rossi.” There is a twinkle in his eyes as he hands me the certificate. When I feel his hand graze mine, I chalk it up to an accidental touch.
“Thank you, Dr. Arturo.”
“You must be excited for Vegas,” he says as we pose for a picture.
“Oh, yes. I just…I didn’t think I’d actually win.”
He turns to me, smiling. “Remember the winner of the contest gets to spend a weekend in Vegas, exhibiting their art. There are going to be some big names at the event. I don’t have to tell you what a big opportunity this is, do I? It’ll give you a leg up on everyone else in this room.”
I knew that. Of course I knew about the Vegas prize. It just slipped my mind seeing as I never quite expected to win in the first place. “Of course. Thank you, Professor.”
“Please, you are no longer my student. You can call me Mark.”