“Hand to God, that’s the truth,” Gage said, dramatically, causing Trent to laugh.
“Hey. I’m sorry I’m late. Traffic sucked.”
Arik hadn’t even noticed Kellus approach, and that spoke volumes to how closely he’d listened to Trent, because he always knew when Kellus entered a room. Kellus walked around to his side of the table and ran a palm over his shoulder. He quickly reached up, clasping his hand, drawing his palm to his mouth, kissing the skin tenderly.
Gage rose, extending his hand toward Kellus. All the stress of minutes ago faded as Gage shook his hand then gave him a big hug. “You’ve been quiet. I hoped it was because you were getting all those commissions done.”
“I’m working on them. I’ve shipped six now. I’ll have the rest done soon.”
“Good. That’s real good.” Gage gave Kellus room to take his seat next to Arik. He signaled the waitress as Kellus shook Trent’s hand in greeting.
“Did I tell you, Trent’s been adding a whole new lighting system to the studio?”
“No, I don’t think so,” Arik said, his whole focus on Kellus, maybe even seeing him as he used to before he’d gotten to know him. The elusive man he could never really pin down or fully understand. Arik lifted a hand to Kellus’s hair, tucking the few longer in front pieces behind one ear. “Did you get a haircut?”
Kellus looked back at him, those weary eyes brimming with love. He was so handsome. He loved that look. Pride filled his heart.
“I did. Linda, the hairstylist I like best, is in Cedar Hill at Salon 714. She fit me in this morning. It was a spur of the moment decision.”
“You trimmed your beard.” Arik ran his fingers along Kel’s dark beard.
Kellus’s blue eyes lit up. “Linda did. Straightened it up. I was thinking about shaving it. I haven’t had much time to keep up with it.”
“I’m glad you didn’t. I like it.”
Kellus inclined his head, smiling at him. “Okay. I won’t.”
“I found out right before I left the office that I’ve got to go out of town. Florida isn’t doing well. I shouldn’t be gone for more than a couple of days,” Arik said, scooting closer. He was so insanely in love with this man he couldn’t think straight for just wanting to be near him.
“I’ll work the whole time. It’ll help me get caught up. I’m almost there, anyway,” Kellus said, leaning his shoulder back against Arik’s chest. All the worry faded in these precious moments. Arik bent in to kiss his guy’s shoulder.
“Good. I knew it wouldn’t take you long. I’m proud of you.”
“Did you two forget we’re here?”
Arik looked over at Gage, prepared to lift his middle finger, but he saw the waitress standing there, too, looking as amused as Gage. So he had gotten lost in Kellus. Luckily, Kellus’s skin had colored, proving he’d been distracted too.
“Are you ready to order?”
“He needs a minute,” Arik said.
“No, I’m ready, are y’all?”
Tonight felt more normal than any other time since John’s accident. Maybe Trent was right. If he opened himself, perhaps he could see that he was making this more difficult than it had to be. Jealousy was no doubt the most probable cause of his hard feelings.
After ordering, Arik sat back in his seat, draping an arm on the back of Kellus’s chair and stared at his guy, glad he’d accepted this invitation. It had been weeks since he’d seen a genuine smile on Kellus’s handsome face. He actually felt like a heel for not trying harder to understand.
His palm went to Kellus’s back, rubbing gently as he and Gage talked shop. His gaze traveled to Trent. He still carried the air of concern as he asked about John. Kellus didn’t immediately answer, instead, he glanced back at him, which confirmed Trent’s theory—Kellus was struggling with Arik’s place in all this. Damn, he hated that.
“They say that everything’s the same, nothing’s changed, but I think he’s declining. He’s looking more hollow if that makes sense. The facility isn’t great. They’re way understaffed. I’m helping as I can, but it’s so far away. I can’t get out there like I probably should. They don’t say a lot, but I’ve been told to keep him moving. His mom tries, but can’t really lift him with the casts still there and his dad had back surgery.”
“I’m sorry about all this,” Gage said sympathetically.
“Me too. He was uninsured. Of course, he was uninsured,” Kellus said, leaning back in the chair. “When healthcare got so expensive, I couldn’t do it all.”
“That’s not your fault,” Gage said before Arik could.
“In theory, I know that,” Kellus said with a small smile. “Let’s talk about other things. How’s the gallery?”
“Well, that’s the real reason I invited you two out tonight.” Gage smiled and leaned back in his chair. Of course, Arik knew why Gage was grinning like a Cheshire cat, but he hadn’t told Kellus, not wanting to spoil the surprise.