Painted On My Heart

“This may turn out to be an outstanding success for you,” Gage’s father pointed out, making Diana Layne smile brightly as she took a step back from him.

“It’s so much more than I ever expected. Gage outdid himself,” he said. They were a comfortable group, easy to talk to, making the tickle of unease skating up his spine a completely out of context experience for him.

“Arik’s my son, and he loves your work. I can see why. I had to buy a piece myself tonight,” Diana said with a confirming smile and nod of her head.

“Did I hear my name?”

Kellus looked up to see Arik walking toward him. The reason for that unexpected bout of anxiety became clear. How was Kellus so connected that he could sense Arik before he ever saw him? An even bigger question was how in the world could that man be any better-looking? Arik stunned his senses, those handsome features even more vibrant than ever before. Arik was just so very well put together that Kellus fought the urge to gasp aloud at the sight of him. He took in all the subtle changes on a face he’d studied extensively—the slightly darker complexion that made those flecks of gold in his eyes deepen, the new hints of blond woven into his slightly trimmed hair, the tuxedo that complemented the definition in the man’s chest. Kellus registered it all. The calm and ease of a few minutes ago zapped away, leaving him in a little bit of awe and praying he didn’t involuntarily drool. He couldn’t find his voice as Arik extended his hand.

“I was told you purchased that sculpture displayed up front,” his mother teased, tapping Arik on the arm with her rolled flyer.

“I didn’t give them a chance to even place it out before I took possession,” Arik said, looking very proud of himself as he held Kellus’s gaze. When Kellus realized he still had a hold of Arik’s hand, way past the time of appropriate decorum, he carefully, but quickly released him, curling his fingers into his palm when he wanted to reach back out to touch Arik again.

“Son, do you have a significant other?” Arik’s mother asked, drawing Gage’s mother’s attention. Now, they both stared at Kellus expectantly.

“Good question, Diana,” Connie said.

“Here we go.” Arik’s father groaned, rolling his eyes.

“Mother, that’s not any of your busi—” Arik started, but his aunt stopped him, lifting a hand to cover Arik’s mouth.

“Shh, A, let him answer.”

Both women watched him closely, eager for his answer. Their husbands grew visibly uncomfortable. It seemed he might be a pawn in some sort of family joke that he didn’t fully understand, but his own family had always been just like that. Their easy camaraderie eased some of the tension he’d experienced when Arik had first walked up.

“We’re waiting for your answer,” Connie prompted.

“I’m not sure what the question was exactly,” he replied, grinning as he brought the drink to his lips and casually took a sip.

“The question was, do you have someone special in your life, and if not, do you know our little A here?” Diana repeated. He laughed at the very serious look she held.

“Yes, I’ve met Mr. Layne, but I’m not sure about the ‘little’ or ‘A’ part. I haven’t heard anyone call him that before,” Kellus said, venturing a look Arik’s way. That same overwhelming stunned thing happened again, but this time Arik gave the same look as the other Layne men, making it clear none of them were pleased with the direction of the conversation.

“That’s because this family never leaves well enough alone,” Max Layne grumbled with Arik’s mother swatting him with the rolled flyer this time.

“It’s a lovely story. Gives Kellus here a better understanding of our Arik,” Diana added dryly, drawing Kellus’s attention again as he tried to follow along.

“I’m sorry in advance. They don’t always know how to act in public,” Arik said.

Kellus just laughed as Arik’s mother swatted her son with a little more force than she had his father. “Gage and Arik were little, maybe five and two,” Diana started.

“I think they were a little older,” Gage’s mom chimed in.

“It doesn’t really matter,” Max said, shaking his head at Kellus. It was interesting to see this side of Arik who seemed larger than life, yet his family humanized him on a very attractive level.

“What story are they telling?” Gage asked, coming up beside Kellus.

“The one where Arik got his nickname. Where’s Trent?” Gage’s father asked.

“He’s across the gallery. That’s why I’m here. I’ve come to retrieve Kellus for introductions. Colt Michaels is here, and apparently, he remembered Trent from his college football days. They did some camps together,” he explained to his father, but turned to his aunt, “finish the story before I take Kellus over there. I like making Arik uncomfortable.”