It’d been ridiculously hard to hand over Adam, and Suzanne had been acutely aware, as she’d put the painting in his office, that there was only one left. The fact that Grady hadn’t seemed to know or care had only compounded her feelings of loss. Even now, talking to his aunt and uncle, she could feel the tight knot of emotions in her chest.

“It didn’t seem right to compete with my mom judging,” Suzanne said, keeping her voice light.

They nodded like they thoroughly approved of her decision. “Your mom makes it seem effortless,” Burl said. “She’s amazing.”

Glancing over at her mom’s table, Suzanne could already see wings emerging from the block of ice. “She is,” Suzanne agreed.

Her mother was a true artistic genius, and Suzanne was proud of her, but she couldn’t deny the spike of professional jealousy. One day she hoped to be as proficient, as effortless, and as sure of herself as her mother. If her muse ever decided to come out and play again.

They watched in silence for a few more moments, but Suzanne was too acutely aware of Grady’s aunt and uncle to take in much of her mom’s evolving piece.

“I’m sorry,” she said eventually, barely hearing the softness of her voice over the thump of her heart as she turned her face toward Cora. “About deceiving you. It’s—”

“Now, now,” Cora cut in, placing her arm around Suzanne’s shoulders and giving her a tight squeeze. “You got yourself into a fix; we understand that. Burl and I don’t condone dishonesty, but your intentions were pure and…well…whether Joshua knows it or not, you’re good for him. And I do think there’s a little zing between the two of you—”

“Oh no,” Suzanne interrupted, panic descending. She could just imagine how annoyed Grady would be if she didn’t at least attempt to put his aunt straight. “There’s no zing,” she lied. “It’s just an act.”

“Hmm. Is it?”

Those old, searching eyes seemed to bore right into Suzanne’s soul, and she swallowed at the shrewdness she found there. “Yes.”

Another “Hmm” as Cora patted Suzanne’s arm in a way that felt very much like she was being humored. “We’ll see. But the point is, there’s no need to worry. We’ll play along with the fake relationship thing.”

“Thank you.” Suzanne smiled.

“Of course,” Cora said, waving her hand dismissively, but her eyes gleaming with speculation.