The thought had me smiling as I greeted the familiar face waiting for me outside.

“What are you doing here?” I asked Michael as I approached where he leaned against his parked car. “Just because you helped me get this job doesn’t mean you need to follow me to work. I’m a fully capable adult,” I teased wryly. Anyone else probably would have slunk away from the man, let alone teased him, but I’d known Michael for years. The menacing glare and tattoos creeping up from beneath his collar didn’t scare me. Quite the opposite—the sight of his ripped jeans and scuffed boots made me feel at ease. When he was near, nothing and no one could hurt me.

He raised one of his brows, then snagged my wrist as soon as I was within reach. Wrapping his solid arm around my neck, he put me in a headlock and tousled my hair to total disarray. “Such a gracious and humble adult, aren’t you?”

I wailed playfully, pinching his flat stomach through his fitted T-shirt. “Okay, you’re right. I give!”

With my cry for mercy, Michael released me, and I lifted my head to find his face lit with an infectious grin. “That’s better. Now, tell me how it went.”

“It went really well! Miles seems like he’ll be wonderful to work with, and the part-time schedule gives me plenty of time to paint.” I was offered the administrative position a week before but had needed to fill out employment paperwork and discuss job duties more thoroughly. My short visit with the gallery owner had confirmed my initial impression that the locally owned operation was going to be a perfect fit.

“I’ve known Miles for a few years now. I knew you’d like him.”

“Yeah, and working in a gallery—seeing new exhibits, meeting the artists, and planning events— doesn’t even sound like work. The only thing better is painting itself!”

He gave me a smirk and a flick of his head. “Let’s grab some coffee, and you can tell me all about it,” he said, motioning down the sidewalk.

“Actually, I have to run over to campus to get my last couple of boxes.” I smiled up at him and gave a soft punch to his shoulder. “I really do appreciate your help with the job. The gallery is amazing. I can’t wait to start next week.”

“You know I’m always happy to help. Speaking of, you need a hand with boxes?”

“Nah, I only have two boxes left. They didn’t fit in the car on the last trip. Once I grab those, I’m all moved out of the dorm.”

“Your dad and his ridiculous rules,” he scoffed. “There was no reason you had to stay all four years in the damn dorm.”

“I know, but that’s in the past. Good things are on the horizon … I can feel it.”

Michael huffed out a laugh before wrapping me in his arms. “Alright, you little ray of sunshine. Your optimism is hurting my eyes. Go get your boxes and let me know if you need help.”