Painted On My Heart

Finding a seat in the middle of the lobby, Arik palmed his phone and pulled up his email to type a message to Gregory; he included every senior and mid-level manager on staff. His leg bounced as he issued notice of a mandatory meeting in approximately two hours. On second thought, he looked down at his watch and decided three hours might be better. That would be closer to shift change, and anyone who thought they were leaving on time the day before grand opening was sorely mistaken.

In twenty-four hours, this place would be open for business. They should be a well-oiled machine by now—not a bunch of people standing around, unsure what to do and taking no initiative.

As he went to push send, his phone screen changed to indicate an incoming call. The interruption thoroughly pissed him off, especially since the caller ID showed BT. His leg stilled, a sign of exactly how angry he’d become, but primarily with himself. Why would he have ever given this number out? Then further delaying his email, Gage’s shadow darkened his phone and hovered there. Arik didn’t lift his head. He rejected BT’s call and kept his full concentration on the email when it returned to the screen. He read the message one last time before hitting send.

“What?” he asked as he continued to stare at his cell phone.

“He’s single. Maybe gay, most likely bi. He’s had a long-term boyfriend in the past.” Gage’s voice remained low and hushed. Arik’s heart picked up a beat as he watched for the message to send before glancing up at Gage. His cousin’s value increased tenfold—until he remembered the possible brotherly bullshit factor. Gage would totally play him just to watch him crash and burn.

“How do you know that?” Arik asked skeptically.

“I interviewed a woman at Trammell Crow this morning. They display his art in the lobby. We got to talking,” Gage answered succinctly. Arik finally lifted his head, looking up at Gage. He studied his face until deciding he was more than likely telling the truth.

“Good job, Synclair. I never doubted you’d come through for me.” Arik sat up taller in the chair. He might have a chance with the artist after all.

“Now, here’s my condition in this, A…”

That mandate had Arik’s brows snapping together and he stopped his cousin before he could continue. “You don’t have a condition.” Arik left no room for negotiations, glancing back down at his phone. Good, the staff had started responding—confirmations filtering into his inbox.

“Oh, but I do.” Gage’s tone had Arik casting a look up at his cousin, who smirked like the fucking Cheshire Cat.

“No. You don’t,” Arik argued, pretending he wasn’t interested in why Gage had a condition, but it honestly piqued his curiosity more than anything else going on today.

“Don’t play him. Don’t lead him on then drop him like you do all your other conquests when you grow bored. I like him. I like the relationship we have. I consider him a friend. Before you ever get started, make sure he knows where he stands.” Gage’s voice was firm and clear, causing Arik to really look at Gage this time. His cousin’s face was stone serious. That look spoke volumes about the artist’s character.

“Your mother’s starting to come out in you,” Arik teased. He’d always admired Gage’s honesty.

“I’ll take that as you agree and a thank-you.” Gage’s toned turned hard.

“You do that, cousin. When’s he coming back here?”

“Today. I’m out of the setup schedule. He’s working with Sara. I’ll have her call you.” Gage palmed his phone, typing quickly as he spoke.

Arik nodded, his gaze moving in the direction of the studio. He’d keep an eye out, watch every so often. The studio was dark, still empty. They were cutting it close if they planned to be ready by the time the resort doors opened in the morning.

“Cool. We got the house, by the way,” Gage said. His phone beeped and he began typing again.

“That’s hilarious. The burbs. You’ve officially been domesticated, cuz.”

“Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it,” Gage said, shoving his phone inside his back pocket, giving Arik a clearly mocking look like he held all the secrets.

“You know, pretty soon you’ll be sitting in the old diner every morning for breakfast, listening to all the men gossiping about their wives.”

“At least I’ll have friends.”

Well, that hit its mark. Arik was on the verge of answering as he watched Gage pivot on his heel and leave without another word.

Arik kept his gaze trained on Gage as he walked away. He’d have to apologize later. Gage had always been a real good guy. His phone buzzed in his hands, drawing his attention to the screen. Great, the day was just full of surprises—a text from his mother. All this family interaction might actually be sucking his will to live.