“He told me the technical term is subject, not model,” Kat informed them with a haughty air of importance. Then she ruined the effect by snickering. “I wonder what it must feel like to stand stark naked and have your private bits scrutinized by a room full of people.”

“Cold, is my guess.” Andie slipped a bill into the server’s apron and winked. “We’re going to be seeing a lot of each other this evening.” She lowered her voice and added drily, “We’re going to be seeing a lot of Zach, as well.”

Kat giggled. “I just realized this is like taking dick pics to the next level.”

“I’d be fine painting a bowl of fruit or something,” Julia muttered.

“Don’t worry, I’m pretty sure you’ll get to see a banana.” Kat grinned.

“And some peaches,” Patrick added, matching Kat’s grin as he took the easel next to hers.

David waved a greeting and settled behind the last easel in their row. “Is it peach or peaches?”

“Oh, no.” Patrick winced with a long-suffering sigh. “Not the peaches debate.”

Andie raised a curious eyebrow. “What’s this about?”

“Whether one says peach or peaches when referring to one’s ass,” David explained, fiddling with pots of paint on his easel. “Or anyone’s ass, frankly.”

“I’m going to get some wine,” Patrick announced.

“Red for me, please,” David called after Patrick, as he moved to chase down the server.

Kat tapped David on the shoulder with her paintbrush. “Tell us more about this great butt debate.”

“Well, my grandmother would always say peaches, but I think that’s because she was talking about cute little baby butt cheeks,” David explained. “However, when using an emoji, it’s just a peach, right? One peach, singular.” He gestured with his hands. “For the whole ass.”

“Hm.” Julia shared a glance with Andie. “That’s a conundrum.”

“Quite the pickle, indeed,” Andie agreed, picking up her glass again. She glanced up and sputtered, spitting wine. “Speaking of pickles…”

Julia turned in the direction of her friend’s gaze. “Oh, my.” While they’d been getting schooled in the peach debate, Zach had made his grand entrance. He was now standing on a platform in the center of the room, disrobing.

“Looks like I’m just in time,” Patrick said, returning with the wine.

David accepted his glass and took a healthy swallow. “Now that is a well-groomed peach.”

“Mm-hm, very smooth,” Kat hummed in agreement.

Andie inspected Zach over the rim of her wineglass. “Do you think he waxes or shaves?” she wondered.

“Both,” Patrick guessed.

“Professionally,” David added.

Andie nodded sagely. “That explains his nicely peeled banana.”

Julia almost spit wine as she burst out laughing. “What does that even mean?”

Kat snickered. “It means you got your fruit bowl after all, Jules.”