Beyond the Canvas: Wine and Dine

It was 7:40 when Collin knocked again, but as the door swung open it was definitely worth the wait.

“Sorry. Totally lost track of time.” Amber said. “The restaurant won't be too mad, I hope?”

“I.. set for 8pm anyways because of the… drive..” Collin replied. Clearly still at a loss for words. “I though said you might need—”

“A dress, yeah. I thought I might.” Amber said. “But this came just in time. Arrived just this morning, in fact.”

If there was a curve of Amber's, her dress didn’t hug. Collin wasn’t seeing it. Which made all the more interested in her. Why hadn’t Brandon asked her out yet? What did he not want a treasure like this?
“Earth to Collin.” Amber said. “You can still drive us, yes?”

“Yeah. Yeah I can, sorry. It just looks stunning on you.” Collin said.”Really suits you too.”

“I’ll let Sally know her custom order knocked it out of the park then.” Amber said. “She is an old friend. Got a few paintings of me, and she insisted she pay me back. She got done a few weeks ago, but I know where send last week. With the contest stuff and all.”

“Isn’t she also still in your town?” Collin asked. “Why would she need to ask where to send it.”

“She left a while ago. She has always been more drawn to the city, and I got admitted. I’m starting to see why she felt so trapped.”

“We best get going.” Collin said. “Before my eyes leave my head.”

The drive there was quite as Collin focused, and Amber clearly had some thoughts going on of her own. She kind slink behind him as they walked in. feeling very out of place in such a Fancy restaurant. But they sat down and talked, and Collin had Amber laughing before they even had their wine served.  It was… nice. For the first time in her life Amber didn’t feel judged, or obligated. Maybe it was his status or something, but no one even asked why Collin was with her at not until they did.
 “That bumpkin! You’re with her over me!” some random girl shouted.

Collin signed. “Hi Maple.”

“Don’t you ‘hi Maple’ mister. You turned our business. Denied our child option to pureblooded, and you're here with this?! Look she is near stuffing her face!”

“Some of us like good food.” Amber replied. “And it's bad manners to not enjoy it, but I somehow doubt you know much about manners.”

“Excuse me?!” Maple asked. “What a bumpkin like you know—”

“Darling?” Amber said. “I was here enjoying a lovely talk with a sweet charming gentleman. So I’m not going to say I don’t understand why you’re jealous but um… How do I put this? No matter how beautiful the flower, a fly knows better than to head to a poisonous one. If I pardon the ‘bumpkin’?”

It took just every bit of will power Collin had to hold in a laugh, and it was clearly a shared sentiment by the crowd. Staff included. Maple should boil like a tea kettle before she stormed out.

“About time someone told you off!” A random man yelled, and called the staff over. “You get that girl one of whatever she wants.”

“He's good for it.” Collin replied. Still smirking. “Sorry about her. When did you learn how to do that?”

“Country girl, Collin.” Amber said, ordering another shot of wine. “You want a good man, you better be prepared for a cat fight.”