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Nefeli frowned. “I can’t get the color right.”
Rose stepped behind her. “Don’t be afraid to mix or layer the colors. Here.” She brought Nefeli over to her easel and put a fresh sheet of paper on it. In two spots on the page, Rose showed her what she meant by each technique. “Try it out on mine first, then apply the ideas to your painting.”
“Can we play catch?” Adonis handed Rose a ball.
“Sure.”
They moved away from the art area to protect the space from any rogue balls.
Rose kept Adonis entertained by seeing how many steps apart they could toss the ball before one of them missed or how many times they could catch the ball in a row.
“Rose, come see,” Nefeli called.
Rose and Adonis strolled over.
“It’s pretty,” said Adonis.
“I like it too,” Rose agreed.
On the page was a simple beach scene of sand, ocean, and sky, with a red beach umbrella off to one side.
“Is this any place in particular?” Rose asked.
“Home,” Nefeli said. “I miss home. When are we going there?”
“I’m not sure. Your papa is checking on several of his olive groves as we travel.”
Adonis dropped the ball in the sand and tugged on Rose’s hand. “Can we play in the water?”
“Yes,” she said to Adonis and then asked Nefeli, “Are you ready for a break?”
She nodded, and set her brush in the water cup.
The rest of the afternoon, they alternated between painting and play.
All the while, Rose wrestled with when to tell Stavros about her issues with the wealthy, and how he might react to her revelations.
♥ ♥ ♥
Leo drummed his fingers on his leg under the table. He had high hopes for his evening with Rose. And she looked good. Her scarlet wrap dress clung to her curves and flared out from her slim waist to stop short above the knee. She wore strappy black sandals. Her lipstick was the same shade as the dress. How did women find matching lipstick?
Rose broke the ice by saying, “Dinner on our first date. Very original.” She winked at him and placed her napkin in her lap.
Leo nodded. “I figured if the date doesn’t go well, we could at least get a good meal out of it.”
Rose chuckled. “I’m guessing you don’t date much.”
“No.”
“I would think being Mr. P’s right hand man and head of security would prevent you from having much of a personal life. You seem to be on the job 24/7.”
“My job is a demanding one,” he agreed and adjusted his tie.
“That’s the third time you’ve pulled at your tie. Take it off. I don’t mind.”
“Unfortunately the dress code for this restaurant requires a tie. I have to leave it on, or they’ll ask us to leave.”
Rose frowned. “You’ve got to be kidding.”