The Artist and the Actor – 45

 

Shane pressed the doorbell Monday evening and waited. When Colin didn't answer, he pushed it again, and a third time a few moments later. "About time," he said when Colin finally opened the door. Realizing his tone was accusatory, he eased it back a notch. "Twenty-to-one you were painting and lost track of time, which is okay."

 

Colin smiled ruefully. "Got me. I had to deal with my brushes before coming down. Sorry."

 

"I survived the wait," Shane teased before planting a kiss on Colin's lips—which Colin returned with obvious relief. Once he was inside, Shane sniffed. "Dinner would probably smell delicious, if you'd gotten around to making it."

 

"Smartass. It's made, well almost. The parts are ready; they just need to be stir-fried." He headed to the kitchen with Shane right behind him.

 

Leaning against one of the counters, watching as Colin put everything together in the wok, Shane asked, "What did the detective tell you, other than that he caught the killer?"

 

"That it was a woman."

 

"Seriously? Whoa. The way it was done doesn't seem like a female thing."

 

Colin shrugged. "If she did as we thought and searched cold case sites, I don't see why not. That and the fact she was a female spurned. As they say—"

 

"Hell hath no fury. I suppose it's true. Any chance she was connected to Kenny?"

 

"She'd have been twelve when he was murdered so, no."

 

"A bad seed. That's a play, and a movie, in case you don't know."

 

Colin rolled his eyes as he dished the stir-fry into a large bowl. "I'm not a total plebeian. Somehow I doubt it. I don't see him taking a kid up to Lookout Mountain in the middle of the night."

 

"I was teasing. Yeah, the age thing takes her out of the picture for his murder."

 

"Yes. I'm resigned to the fact we'll probably never know who did kill him. So are my folks. I called them, finally, to tell them about Logan's murder, and they agree. As my dad said, 'Whatever the reason he died, he knew we loved him. That's what counts, when it comes down to it.'" He sighed. "He's right. I wish I'd told him more often, but I think he knew, anyway."

 

"Of course he did," Shane replied, hugging him.

 

"Thank you," Colin said quietly, returning the hug. Then he went back to what he'd been doing. He put the rice, which had been simmering in another pot, in a second bowl and then got a couple of beers from the fridge.

 

"Here, let me." Shane picked up the stir-fry bowl, carrying it to the dining room table, which was already set.

 

Colin followed with the beers and the rice, and they sat, dishing the food onto their plates.

 

The Artist and the Actor – 44

 

Shane returned Colin's call soon after five-thirty that evening. "Backing out of fixing me dinner tomorrow night?" he asked with a smile in his voice.

 

"Not at all. In fact, it's going to be a celebration of sorts."

 

"Do tell."

 

"I had a call from Detective Randall. He arrested Logan's killer. Of course there's still loose ends to tie up, he said, but he sounds certain he's got the right person."

  

When Colin didn't continue, Shane said, "Deets, man. I want all of them."

 

"Deets?" Colin laughed. "What teens have you been hanging with? I'll tell all tomorrow night, I promise."

 

"Colin… Damn it, you're a tease. You know that, right?"

 

Chuckling, Colin replied, "I want to make certain you show up."

 

"You know I will, even without this startling revelation. Which, by the way, is hardly a full revelation…yet."

 

"Yeah, I know. It will be. At least as much as I know about things."

 

"Better be," Shane grumbled. "Not to change the subject, but how's the new painting coming along?"

 

"It wasn't, until just before Randall called. It's going to be different from anything you saw at the gallery. Not like the Kenny one, though. I'll refrain from saying more until I see if it works or if I'm going off halfcocked."

 

"You never have before," Shane replied.

 

Colin snorted. "That anyone's seen. You have no idea how often I've stopped mid-stream, gessoed over something because it sucked, and started again."

 

"I'll take your word for it. Okay, right now I'd better get moving if I'm going to eat before tonight's performance. I'll see you tomorrow around…?"

 

"Whenever you get here, as long as it's after five."

 

"Five it is, then." Shane paused. "Love you," he said softly.

 

"I know. I think I still love you. At least I'm working on it."

 

"That's all I can ask."

The Artist and the Actor – 43

 

"Oh, really?" Colin said. "How would she know that if she says she didn't know Logan?"

 

"Exactly what I wondered," Randall replied. "So I had another talk with the roommate. He admitted he hadn't mentioned her because she and Logan had broken up over a month before his death. He didn't think that was important enough to tell me," Randall added, scathingly. Colin could picture him rolling his eyes.

 

Randall paused, asking Colin to hold as he had another call. When he returned, he said, "I did some digging, found two witnesses who remembered Logan bitching about how Ms. Egan refused to accept that their relationship was over. Then, I had another long talk with her. She finally admitted to the break-up, but claimed she was at a party with a friend the night he was killed. That was true, up to a point, according to the friend. He says she disappeared for approximately half an hour. When she returned, she claimed she'd been in the bathroom being violently ill, then asked him to take her home, which he did."

 

"Of course the time she was gone matches the time Logan was murdered," Colin said dryly.

 

"You got it. I brought her in for more questioning and subsequently arrested her, at which point she asked for a lawyer. As I said, everything will be turned over to the prosecutor. I suggested, given the way Logan was killed, that he get a subpoena to obtain her browser history."

 

"To see if she went to any unsolved or cold-case crime sites, I presume," Colin said.

 

"Yes. Hopefully, she did, and found your brother's case."

 

"That would certainly tie things up in a neat bow."

 

"Well, it will help," Randall replied. "Anyway, that's where it stands at this point."

 

"One question. How old is she?"

 

"If you're thinking she could have known your brother, it's highly unlikely. She's only twenty-two."

 

"Figured as much. Thank you for letting me know."

 

"No problem." With that, Randall hung up.

 

Colin immediately started to dial Shane's number to let him know what had happened. Then he realized Shane had a matinee, followed by an evening performance. He completed the call, which as he'd expected went to voicemail, leaving a message for Shane to call him.

 

After hanging up, he went back to limning out the idea for his newest painting.

 

The Artist and the Actor – 42

 

 

As it turned out, Shane's words were prophetic, although a bit off on the timing.

 

It was Sunday morning, and for the first time in he couldn't remember how long, Colin was staring at a blank canvas with no idea what he wanted to do with it. Numerous sketches with ideas were tacked to cardboard on the other easel. None of them remotely sparked his interest, even though all of them had at the time he'd drawn them.

 

Am I losing my creative urge? That thought caused a wave of panic. Painting was all he knew—and he was good at it if his sales were any indication.

 

He worried that perhaps he was afraid to commit to a specific subject for fear that he'd be interrupted just when he was deeply into the mood he was trying to create.

 

If I use that as an excuse, then I'm blaming Shane for my inability to come up with a new painting, and it's not his fault. Is it because my reality's changed since he reappeared in my life? He gave that some serious consideration as he paced the studio. I don't feel the pain of our break-up, now, the way I have for the past three years. Or the anger that preceded it. And then there's Kenny's painting. It helped alleviate the loss I felt every time I thought of him. Yeah, things have definitely changed for me. So, what do I do about it?

 

He didn't have a clue at the moment, which was frustrating. Unless… He went back to the canvas, picked up a charcoal pencil and began sketching out the basics.

 

An hour later, he was somewhat satisfied with the result. Standing back, he studied the canvas, frowning when his phone vibrated in his pocket. Contrary to his normal custom, he had it with him as a confirmation, although Shane didn't know it, that he didn't intend to ignore him, no matter what.

 

Turning his back to the canvas, he checked the caller ID. Surprised at who it was, he answered with, "Colin Ainsley."

 

"Good morning, Mr. Ainsley," Detective Randall replied. "Or I guess afternoon at this point. I thought you might be interested in knowing we have someone is custody Mr. Logan's murder."

 

"The killer?" Colin felt inane as soon as he said that. Of course it had to be.

 

"I believe the evidence is sufficient to say she is, however that has to be proven to the satisfaction of the prosecutor. There will be a preliminary hearing in front of a judge, who will decide if there's enough evidence for a criminal indictment."

 

"Wait a minute. She?"

 

"Yes. If you remember, according to Logan's roommate he was a player. Logan was supposed to be working the night of his murder, but didn't show up. Going with the presumption he might have skipped out to meet with one of his women friends, we interviewed all the ones the roommate was aware of. They all had alibis."

 

"But one of them was lying?" Colin asked.

 

"No. One of them lived in Logan's building. She remembered seeing him on the patio of a nearby coffee shop, talking with another woman who also lived in the building. As she put it, the woman was obviously upset and Logan was trying to calm her down. She didn't know her name, but was able to describe her well enough that the building manager recognized who she was when I asked. Anyway, long story short, I interviewed her, Ms Egan. She adamantly denied knowing him, and said my witness must have been lying. 'Because she's a jealous bitch' to quote Ms Egan."

The Artist and the Actor – 41

 

 

"Oh my God, you live," the waitress said to Shane when he and Colin were seated at a table in the restaurant early Thursday afternoon.

 

He looked up at her, trying to figure out why she'd said that, and then got it. "Jamie, right? You still remember me after all this time?"

 

"Shane, you have to be kidding. I never forget a handsome man." She managed to give him a quick hug, even though he was seated, and then handed him and Colin menus. "Coffee or what?" she asked them.

 

"Coffee for me," Shane replied. "I have to work tonight."

 

"You mean you're back permanently? Are you and Colin, umm…?" She paused, glancing between them.

 

"I'm with the show at the Buell," Shane told her. "As for the other thing you sort of asked, we're working on it."

 

Jamie frowned. "The Buell's for traveling shows."

 

"Yep. I'm here for a bit over three weeks, at this point, before we move on."

 

"Then how can you and Colin…?"

 

Colin chuckled. "You might try finishing a sentence. If things work out, he's coming back after the run of the show."

"They had better work out. You two are perfect for each other," she replied adamantly. "Okay, I've babbled enough. I'll be right back with your coffees. I mean, you want some, too, right Colin?"

 

He agreed that he did and she left.

 

"There you go," Shane said, smiling. "She thinks we belong together, so obviously we do."

 

"I'm not disputing it," Colin protested.

 

"Hadn't better."

 

They opened their menus, and for the moment were silent while they decided what to order. When Jamie returned and set down their coffees, Shane ordered the Italian Campanelle. Colin opted for the Tuscan Lasagna. When she asked, they told her they would pass on an appetizer.

 

"Don't want to ruin my appetite," Shane said, rating him a laugh from Jaime before she went to place their orders.

 

"Have you heard anything from Detective Randall?" Shane asked.

 

"Nothing. Of course catching whoever murdered Logan will undoubtedly be as hard as it was to find Kenny's killer, meaning it's not going to happen."

 

"I have a feeling you're right, but you never know. He could be closing in on the killer as we speak."

The Artist and the Actor – 40

 

 

If a smile could light a room, Shane's would have. "You're serious?"

 

Hedging his bets, Colin replied, "I think so. As much as we can between now and when you leave. I guess, after that, we'll have to put things on hold until you're free to come back?" He voiced it as a question even though he knew the answer.

 

"It won't be for a while." Shane embraced him, gazing directly into Colin's eyes. "I will return, though, now that I know for certain you want me to."

 

"I do," Colin murmured. He touched Shane's face, tracing the line of his mouth. He replaced his fingers with his lips, kissing him gently; unbelievably relieved when Shane returned it—not that he doubted that he would, but…

 

Easing back, Shane said, "We're going to take it slow, as if we've just met."

 

"We should," Colin agreed. "I'm going to make you a promise, too. I won't spend every waking moment in the studio when I'm in the throes of painting. I'll set specific times for it but—" he tapped Shane's nose, "—you have to make certain I hold to them."

 

Shane smirked. "And drag you out, kicking and screaming if you don't want to quit?"

 

"Don't get carried away," Colin retorted. "Come in, let me know it's time to stop, and give me a few minutes to finish what I'm doing and wind down."

 

"I can handle that." Cupping Colin's face with his hands, Shane said, "I'll make a promise, too. You are and will be the only man in my life from this moment on. No matter how upset I get, and we both know that being human we will have arguments, I won't betray your trust. Never again."

 

"I believe you," Colin replied softly, leaning in, intending to kiss him.

 

Shane held up his hand to stop him. "One question. Why the change of heart?"

 

"I grew up?" Colin said with a wry grin. "That's part of it, I suppose. Mainly, though, I didn't realize I missed you until I saw you again at the gallery."

 

"Could have fooled me."

 

"I know. I didn't want to believe it myself." Colin rested one hand on Shane's thigh. "I doubt I'd have done anything about it if you hadn't called me about the new murder…and come over."

 

"At which point you pushed me away, again."

 

Colin nodded. "It didn't stop you from pushing back, which opened my eyes to the fact I still cared for you. So, I had to make a decision. Is my compulsive focus on my art worth losing you?" He kissed Shane, murmuring against his lips, "It's not."

 

"Thank God," Shane replied before he deepened the kiss. He pulled away, breathless, moments later. "If we keep this up I'll forget about not trying to seduce you."

 

Colin grinned. "I think you already have, so I'll be the strong one and say that I'd better get out of here before you succeed."

 

"Would that be so bad?"

 

"Yeah, it would. One step at a time until we know we can make things work this time around." Colin stood, took Shane's hands, and pulled him to his feet. "Do we want to do lunch again tomorrow?"

 

"I can't. It's Wednesday and we've got a matinee. I'm free Thursday and Friday, during the day, and then we've got matinees Saturday and Sunday."

 

"Let's plan on Thursday, then? Do you ever get a full day off?"

 

"Mondays," Shane replied.

 

"Great. I'll fix dinner for us next Monday, rather than eating out."

 

"Sounds good."

 

By then, they were at the door. "What restaurant, Thursday?" Colin asked.

 

"The Italian one near the house. If I recall, it had great food."

 

"It still does. Around one?"

 

Shane agreed, they shared one more kiss, and Colin left. As he waited for the elevator, he was smiling. This time we're going to make it work if it kills me.

 

The Artist and the Actor – 39

 

"Not bad," Colin commented, looking around Shane's the room.

 

"My home away from home and affordable since it's a residence hotel. The fact I can cook in here saves on eating out, which helps." As he talked, Shane went to the mini-bar. "Beer, liquor, a soft drink?"

 

"Beer's fine, and before you ask, I'm sticking to just one. I have to drive home."

 

"You won't let me ply you with alcohol so I can—"

 

"No seducing, remember?" Colin tempered his words with a smile.

 

"Yeah, yeah." Shane took out two beers, popped the lids, and handed one to Colin. "Have a seat." He gestured to the sofa opposite the large-screen TV. "I get every channel under the sun, I think, if you want to watch something."

 

Colin took off his suit jacket, toed off his shoes, and sat. Swiveling, he pulled his feet up, then wrapped one arm around his knees while taking a long pull on his beer. "We've done the movie thing for this week; I'm not into talk shows or sports reruns. I just want to relax."

 

"Works for me," Shane replied, settling with a sigh at the other end of the sofa.

 

"Tired?"

 

"Not really. More like coming down from the show. It always takes something out of me, even though I'm only a lowly chorus member this time around."

 

"Are you ever one of the leads?" Colin asked, remembering that he had been once or twice when he'd worked at a local theater while they were together.

 

"No. I've had supporting roles, with other companies. This time, I was hired because the guy I'm replacing broke his foot." Shane chuckled. "It's hard to dance when that happens."

 

"No kidding. Turn, spin, clunk when the cast hits the floor."

 

Laughing, Shane replied, "That's about it." He set his beer down on the side table. "Are you sitting that way to make sure I keep my distance?"

 

"Not really," Colin told him, wondering if subconsciously he was. Hesitantly, he lowered his feet to the floor, patting the space beside him.

 

Shane slid over, leaning against Colin's shoulder. "Better."

 

"Debatable," Colin replied as a wave of desire washed over him.

 

"Like old times."

 

"Perhaps…"

 

"We used to sit together like this while we watched TV, or read. Remember?" Shane said.

 

"No. I mean, yeah, we did and I do, but perhaps it's time to forget the past and…" Colin took a deep breath. "I can't believe I'm going to say this. Start over?"

The Artist and the Actor – 38

 

Shane smiled when he came into the theater lobby, half an hour after the show's final curtain call. Colin was seated on one of the benches, his nose buried in a book.

 

"You took my advice," he said, dropping down on the bench beside Colin.

 

"Yep, and a good thing, too. It gave me something to do." Closing the paperback, he stuck it in his pocket.

 

"So, what did you think?"

 

"It's a pretty good book," Colin replied without blinking an eye. He grinned. "I loved the show. I probably missed a few salient points, though, as my concentration was on a certain chorus member whenever he was on stage."

 

"You'd better mean me," Shane said, feigning a worried frown.

 

"Well, now that you mention it, the blond guy was…" Colin laughed. "Of course I meant you." He gave Shane a swift hug. "Do you want to stop for coffee or a drink before you go back to your hotel?"

 

"We could, or I have a mini-bar in my room." Shane waited on tenterhooks to see what Colin's response would be.

 

"I…" Colin worried his lip between his teeth as he studied Shane. Then, with a nod, he replied, "What the hell, why not?"

 

Resisting his immediate response—"Such enthusiasm, not."—Shane smiled as he stood, waited for Colin to join him, and they left the theater.

 

"Nice night for a walk," Colin said.

 

Shane chuckled. "You make it sound as if we were going miles, not two blocks. We could take the long way, to the end of the Mall and back."

 

"If you want." Colin didn't sound averse to the idea.

 

Taking Colin's hand, Shane replied, "Relax. We're not going to do anything more than have a drink together without a lot of boisterous people around. I'm not planning on seducing you, I promise."

 

"Well, damn." Colin grinned as he said it, but the flash of relief belied his words.

 

It made Shane resolve to act like the perfect gentleman once they were in his room, as much as he might have wished otherwise. If I push, he'll run. He hasn't decided if he wants us to start over. He's getting close, I think, but…yeah. Take it slow and easy.

The Artist and the Actor – 37

 

 

"I got you a ticket for the show tonight." Shane took out his wallet, handing the ticket to Colin. "It's about time you saw, again, what I do for a living. It's been a long time since your have."

 

"I, well…all right, I guess." Colin looked down at what he was wearing. "I'll have to stop at home after I drop you off and change."

 

Shane smiled in relief, wisecracking, "You don't need to change. I like you just the way you are."

 

"Smartass," Colin muttered. He checked the ticket. "Okay, I should be able to make it back in time. Getting you there, though... It is rush hour."

 

"Then let's get a move on."

 

They race-walked from the mall exit to where Colin had parked the car two blocks away. From there, it was a case of making it down First Avenue, with more than a few swearwords at other drivers. When they reached the Performing Arts Complex, Shane had Colin pull up on Champa Street so that he could go in through the stage door of the theater. Before he closed the car door, he leaned in to say, "You'd better not stand me up."

 

Colin pressed one hand to his chest. "I won't, but where will me meet afterward?"

 

"In the lobby. It'll take me a while to get out of costume, so bring a book." Shane grinned, closed the door, and disappeared inside the building.

 

As he made his way to the dressing rooms, Olivia joined him.

 

"You look like the cat that swallowed the canary," she said, linking her arm with his. "Things are working out with you and, umm, Colin?"

 

"Yes, Colin, and I think so. At least we're talking without arguing. We've eaten out, twice, and went to a movie this afternoon, and tonight he's coming to see the show." Shane crossed his fingers, hoping Colin wouldn't get home, take one look at whatever painting he was working on, and forget everything except getting back to it.

 

"Great! When do I get to meet him?"

 

"Well…"

 

She grinned. "It's okay. When you're ready, and he is, will be just fine. Remember, we leave in less than four weeks so…"

 

"Got it." They split up when they reached the chorus dressing rooms. Convincing him to meet some of my friends in the company may be a no-go, knowing him. But who knows? For sure, he didn't.

 

* * * *

 

Although he didn't know it, Shane had been partly right in his assessment of what would happen when Colin arrived at the house. The first thing he did was go up to the studio. He stared at the painting he'd had to abandon earlier in the day, picked up a brush, and uncovered the palette. Then, with a muttered, "Nope, not doing it," he set the brush down, turned, and went to his bedroom to change for the second time in less than half a day.

 

When he finished, he was wearing slacks and a shirt that he usually reserved for an opening at the gallery. "Suit jacket or vest?" He debated for less than a minute before selecting the navy jacket that went with the slacks. "The things I do for him," he grumbled. "Now I have to wear a tie. Shane, you owe me big." He realized he was reversing what he'd promised his ex, as an apology for being late to pick him up for lunch. "I guess we're even?" That amused him.

 

Once he'd checked himself in the mirror and ran a comb through his hair, he put his wallet and phone in his pockets, grabbed his keys from the dresser, and, when he got downstairs, picked up the paperback he'd been reading, stuffing it in a pocket, too. A few minutes later he was on his way downtown to the theater.

 

The Artist and the Actor – 36

 

 

"Damn!" Colin spat out when he looked at the clock on the wall above his workbench around noon on Tuesday. He was supposed to be on his way to Shane's hotel to pick him up for lunch. Dashing downstairs, he snagged his phone from the kitchen counter, turned it on, and called Shane.

 

"I'm running late," he said as soon as Shane answered. "I'll be there as soon as possible."

 

"Lost track of time because you were painting, I bet." Shane laughed, but there was an undertone of hurt along with it.

 

"I did. I'm sorry. Don't shoot me."

 

"Maim, maybe." Shane chuckled. "Killing isn't in my game plan."

 

"I promise I'll make it up to you."

 

"I'll hold you to that."

 

Colin had the feeling he would. "I'll be there in fifteen. Twenty if there's bad lunch hour traffic."

 

Hanging up, Colin raced upstairs to change out of his grubbies, checked to be certain he had everything and started down again. Seconds later he was back in his studio because he had to clean his brushes and cover the palette. He made it a point not to look at the work in progress, knowing is he did he'd want to make some minor, or major, alteration.

 

Finally, he was out the front door after setting the security. Luck was with him, the traffic was thin, so he pulled up in front of the hotel only a few minutes later than promised. Shane was pacing outside. He hopped into the car with an "About time, I'm starving." Thankfully, his expression said he didn't mean it the way it sounded.

 

Then they were off for lunch and the movie.

 

* * * *

 

"That was a good as I hoped," Shane said as he and Colin left the movie theater, heading to the escalator that would take them to the lower level of the mall. "My only gripe is, it was too long."

 

"I don't see where they could have cut anything out," Colin responded.

 

"Neither do I."

 

"Then it wasn't too long."

 

"Yes, it was," Shane retorted. Taking a chance, he slung one arm over Colin's shoulders as they stepped off the escalator. "Twenty minutes shorter and we could have stopped for coffee before you have to drop me off at the theater."

 

Colin stiffened momentarily before relaxing, much to Shane's relief. He'd expected him to pull away.

 

"We can grab some at the Starbucks kiosk and drink while we drive," Colin suggested.

 

"Naw, that's okay. We'll get some after the show."

 

Colin stopped stock still, looking at him. "We'll what?"

 

The Artist and the Actor – 35

 

Dinner on Saturday went about as both men expected. Shane told stories about the shows he'd been a part of and his travels around the country. Colin, having a less exciting life, related a few incidents that happened during exhibitions at the Michaelson Galley.

 

"Thomas chooses good artists," he said. "The problem is, some of them think they're better than they are and let everyone know it, including the critics. When that happens, and they get taken down a peg or two, they're not happy."

 

"Of course you never do that," Shane retorted with a wide grin.

 

"Moi? Never. Well, not since I first started exhibiting at smaller galleries. Back then, I had a tendency to think a bit too much of myself, but I told you that, when we were still together."

 

"Yep. More than once. It was cute."

 

"Cute?"

 

"Uh-huh. Hearing you admit you weren't always perfect." Shane bit back a laugh.

 

"I never said I was," Colin protested.

 

"No," Shane admitted. "I'm teasing. You should know when I am by now."

 

"It's been a while since I've had to figure it out. Too long, when it comes down to it."

 

"And at the end…" Shane stopped, shaking his head. "We're not rehashing that. Okay? That's in the past. We're making a fresh start."

 

Colin smiled, lifting his drink. "To new beginnings."

 

They clicked glasses, looking at each other for a long moment before Colin lowered his gaze, glad when Shane changed the subject.

 

Why am I still backing away? Colin wondered. He's not the same man who hurt me. Okay, he's is the same man, but he's changed. He wants us be together. So do I. Can we make it work? It won't be easy if we decide to try again. Not with him gone more than he's here. What if he's tempted to have a fling in Duluth or wherever the troupe goes after that? Damn it, stop thinking that way! If I can't trust him it's over before we give it chance. I believe him when he says it won't happen. That it hasn't happened since soon after we split up. I do. But what if…?

 

"Hey, did I lose you?" Shane asked.

 

"No. Well, for a second. I had an inspiration for a new painting."

 

A frown marred Shane's handsome face momentarily. Then he smiled. "I should have figured that. I promise I'm not going to get my tail in a twist when you're in 'artist' mode, as long as you make some time for me."

 

"Planning on it," Colin replied. "Like… You're free during the days, right?" When Shane nodded, Colin continued. "How about, say on Tuesday, we catch lunch and a movie?"

 

Shane beamed. "You're on. Which one?"

 

They spent a few minutes hovered over Colin's phone, checking out what was playing, choosing one neither of them had seen but wanted to. Then they finished eating so that Shane could get to the theater.

 

As he walked to where he'd parked, Colin was smiling. Step one, I think. I will make time for him. I'll prove to him I'm willing to make the sacrifice. No, not that. That sounds bad, really bad. I'll show him that he's equally as important to me as my painting. Because he was, and Colin knew it. Took me long enough to figure it out, damn it. Maybe I'm growing up? God, one would hope so, at my age.

The Artist and the Actor – 34

 

 

Shane hoped he meant that the way it sounded. Colin had said he wanted him back in his life. Well, maybe he does. He did admit he hasn't quite decided. I hope to hell, when he does, it's going to be yes. He'd have crossed his fingers, but Colin might have asked why and he wasn't willing to tell him how important his decision, one way or the other, was to him. He knows I still love him, but is that enough after all this time?

  

The arrival of the waiter with their dinners put paid to any more talk about the murders or their personal relationship—if there was going to be one, which was still debatable as far as Shane was concerned.

 

As they ate, they discussed general things like the weather, which promised to warm up now that April was around the corner, and books each of them had read and liked, or disliked, since they'd last been together. Once they finished, and had paid, Colin offered to walk back to the hotel with Shane.

 

When they got there, Shane said with a wry grin, "I'd ask you up for the proverbial nightcap, but I don't think we're at that point yet. We may never be."

 

Resting his hands on Shane's shoulders, Colin replied, "Not yet. In truth, I can't say we ever will be because I don't know." Looking directly into Shane's eyes, he said, "I have to learn to trust that we won't repeat the pattern we fell into at the end."

 

"Meaning that I won't go looking for a quickie, or a brief fling, because I'm feeling ignored. I understand. I'm not going to, but you don't know that. Take all the time you need." Shane chuckled. "As long as it's less than four weeks."

 

"It will be, one way or the other, I promise."

 

"That's all I can ask." Shane's gaze lowered to Colin's lips, the temptation to kiss them almost overwhelming. Quickly, he stepped back. "I see you Saturday."

 

Colin nodded. "I'll call if I hear anything more from the detective." Then he turned and walked away.

 

I'm going to prove you can trust me, Colin. I have to. With that thought, Share entered the hotel.

 

The Artist and the Actor – 33

 

 

Shane was glad for the interruption. It gave him a chance to put a rein on his swirling emotions. Things were changing between them—for the better he hoped. He wouldn't know until they spent more time together before he had to leave. For the moment, he needed to change the subject.

 

"Have you heard anything more from Detective Randall?"

 

"Yes. That’s why I wanted us to have dinner, and then I sort of got sidetracked." Colin took a drink. "He called me down to the precinct. It seems he thought I could be the person who killed Gene Logan."

 

"Are you shitting me?"

 

"Nope. Something about my going off the deep end because it was the tenth anniversary of Kenny's murder. Then he backed off, saying he didn't really believe it. Still, he wanted an alibi. Thank God my security system time-stamps when it's turned on and off or I might still be in his sights, at least as a person of interest, if not worse. He did send one of their experts out to check the system. I passed."

 

"Fuck. That's unbelievable. Was that all?"

 

"No. He talked with the man who investigated Kenny's murder." Colin went on to tell Shane what the detective had told him.

 

"So he thinks it could, probably is a copycat murder," Shane said when Colin was finished.

 

"What else could it be? The question is, why, and by who…whom."

 

Shane chuckled. "Either-or. You're right, though. Why copy his murder when there have to be dozens, hundreds of unsolved cases listed on various websites where the method would be easier?"

 

"That's what I said to Randall. About the websites, that is. I met an author once who used them for ideas for the mysteries he wrote. Randall says it's been known to happen with crazies—okay, he didn't use that word but that's what he meant. If I wanted to murder someone and didn't know how to approach it, I suppose checking stories on unsolved murders might inspire me. Sort of 'they got away with it, so I can, too'."

 

"Remind me to check your browser history to see if you've been doing that," Shane teased.

 

Straight-faced, Colin replied, "Not since we broke up. Before then…" he winked.

 

"Given how you felt about me at that point, it wouldn't surprise me if you had."

 

"Shane…" Colin shook his head. "I was pissed as hell, and for a long time I hated you, but never once did I plot your death." He smiled. "Which is just as well. If I had, and succeeded, we wouldn't be here, now. An idea I don't like in the least."

The Artist and the Actor – 32

 

Tenting his fingers, Colin looked hard at Shane. "So when you said you loved me, after I caught you out with those other men, you were concerned about my feelings and doing your best not to hurt me, even though you knew you had—and badly."

 

"No," Shane replied softly. "It was the truth. I loved you then. I still love you, whether you believe it or not. That never changed, Colin. I screwed up and I'll regret it 'til my dying day. My excuses were bullshit and I know it—now. I didn't trust you loved me. Not the way I wanted you to." He sighed. "I'm an egoist at heart. I wouldn't be an actor if I wasn't. I want to be the center of attention and I wasn't, with you. To stick with the theatrical metaphor, I shared the stage with your art when I wanted to be the star."

 

"Why didn't I see that? No, you don't have to answer. I know why. I was totally self-centered. My work came first before we met and that never changed. I wouldn't let it."

 

"Aren't we the pair," Shane said with rueful grin. "Two temperamental artists, because acting is an art, too. So involved with what we wanted that we…that we couldn't see there was another person in our life who should have come first."

 

"Or at least been as important," Colin replied.

 

"If we could go back and change things…"

 

"But we can't. It's too late. And now you're leaving. Not this instant, but soon."

 

"I know." Shane sighed. "I wish I wasn't, but contractually I have to." He took Colin's hand again. "I'll be back, though. I promise. That is if you want me to come back."

 

"I think I do. I have what? Four weeks to decide?"

 

Shane nodded. He laced his fingers with Colin's. "I do everything in my power to make certain you do."

 

Colin looked down at their hands, knowing in that instant what his answer would be. I'm not telling him, though. Not yet. I have to be sure he has changed. Hell, I need to be sure I have. Old habits die hard.

 

"Gentlemen?" Colin looked up to see their waiter, who was waiting to put down their drinks and a bread basket. "Are you ready to order?"

 

Grimacing, Colin quickly scanned the menu while Shane said he wanted the sirloin steak, a baked potato, and the chef's salad.

 

"I'll have the baked chicken with au gratin potatoes and a plain salad with blue cheese dressing," Colin said when it was his turn.