“Hold on.”

Maya pauses, pencil between her teeth as she leans over. “What?”

“Let me see what you’ve got.” Riley’s got her brows furrowed, paint streaking across her fingers as she reaches out.

On instinct, Maya leans back. “Why? I’m not done yet.”

“Just let me see!”

Ordinarily, Maya would just give in and spin her easel around, but there’s something about Riley’s insistence that makes her want to resist. “No! I’m not done, you can see when I’m done. Look at your own painting.”

“It’s not good!”

“As long as it isn’t another purple cat, it’s good.”

Riley has the gall to look sheepish as she tries to surreptitiously push the jar of purple paint away from her, as if the stains on her apron aren’t enough to give her away.

Maya laughs, dancing out of reach. “Not until it’s done!” She says, pulling her easel away from Riley.

Her girlfriend pauses for a moment, and then stands up.

“No-!” Maya is on her feet immediately, dragging her easel with her as she darts across the room.

Riley chases her across the studio, finally cornering her next to the door and gently tugging her out of the way. “Let me see!”

“It’s not done!”

“I don’t care!”

Maya relents, allowing herself to be pushed aside so Riley can take her place behind the easel. “It’s not done,” she grumbles again, arms crossed as she hooks her chin over Riley’s shoulder and wrinkles her nose at the canvas.

Riley spins suddenly, catching Maya as she stumbles. “I can’t wait ‘til it’s finished,” she breathes, leaning in to kiss her quickly on the nose before spinning away again.

“It would be finished faster if you stood still for a minute!”

“Not a chance, peaches!”

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