The Artist and the Actor – 48

 

 

The following morning, as they were eating breakfast, Colin said, "I have a proposition for you."

 

Shane waggled his eyebrows. "The answer's 'yes'. I don't have to be at the theater until five."

 

"That's great, but I wasn't going to suggest we go back to bed. At least not this very moment." Colin paused to take a bite of his pancakes.

 

"You're going to leave me hanging until you finish eating?"

 

"Now that you mention it." Colin grinned before turning serious again. "You're going to need somewhere to stay other than the hotel, since you're sticking around."

 

Shane had the distinct feeling he knew where Colin was going with that, but decided to play it safe, just in case. "I know. Hopefully I can find a decent apartment that isn't halfway across town, and a cheap car. Taxi fares will break me."

 

"I'm sure the car won't be a problem. Check Craigslist for starters. As for an apartment…" Colin tapped his lip pensively. "I happen to know of someone who might be looking for a roommate, or more specifically, a housemate."

 

"Might be?" Shane asked, playing along now.

 

"Yes, if it's the right person. He's looking for a soon to be out-of-work actor, although he's certain the man won't have any problem finding a job with one of the local theaters, as good as he is."

 

"Well, damn. I know just the guy. He has a thing about artists, specifically one artist, and wouldn't mind at all sharing a house with him."

 

Colin grinned broadly. "So if I asked the actor to move in, he'd accept?"

 

"In a heartbeat," Shane replied adamantly. "Name the day."

 

"The sooner the better. How about this afternoon?"

 

"I think that can be arranged."

 

It was, with no problem, as all Shane had with him was, as he put it, "The clothes on my back and a few personal items." He did admit to having an apartment in a city several hundred miles from Denver. "But I sublet it, since I knew I'd be on the road for an extended period of time. There's not much there I want, other than my books and the rest of my clothes. I'm sure the woman will be happy to pack them up and send them out in exchange for my signing the lease over to her."

 

She was, and a week later several boxes were delivered to the house—after Shane had called his landlord about what he wanted, and then signed a contract the man emailed him.

 

As he unpacked his books and set them on one of the bookshelves in the living room, Colin came down from the studio. He smiled when he heard Shane humming. Something from a musical, he suspected, as he didn't recognize the song.

 

"You sound happy," Colin said.

 

"I am," Shane replied, stopping what he was doing to come over to him. "I have everything I dreamed about from the day we met." Putting his arms around Colin, he said, "This time it's going to work."

 

Colin nodded, replying softly. "It will. Nothing in life is more important than being there for the person you love. The one who loves you in return. We know that, now."

 

"And we'll never forget it." They kissed, tenderly, and then Shane returned to what he was doing—with Colin's willing assistance.

The End

The Artist and the Actor – 47

 

 

Shane nodded. "Sometimes they were. I could see it in some of the painting. The colors were as deep and rich, but the subject? Yeah, it expressed a love of life."

 

"Not as often as it should have," Colin replied with a grimace. "That being said, now, I'm…I'm happy, I guess you could say. Or at least hopeful. And it's your damned fault."

 

"Mine?"

 

"Yeah, yours. You came back. When you did, it made me look at what happened and realize, in spite of everything, that I still love you." Colin gripped Shane's arm. "Although I didn't want to accept it, even when I hated you, I never stopped loving you."

 

"It's a thin line, or so they say," Shane replied softly. "Perhaps, in some ways, I was in the same place, up here." He tapped his forehead. "Although it wasn't you I hated. It was my competition. There were times when I would willingly have destroyed your studio if it meant I'd have your complete and undivided attention. Insane, I know, but that was how it was." He sighed. "Instead, I destroyed what we had out of misplaced jealousy." Lifting Colin's hand from his arm, he held it tightly. "I promise with all that's in me I won't let that happen again."

 

Gazing into Shane's eyes, Colin said, "I swear, I won't give you a reason to." Ruefully, he added, "Of course you might have to drag me away, kicking and screaming, at times."

 

"No, I don't think that will happen. We want this to work. This will be a second chance at proving we love each other, and this time, damn it, we're going to do it right."

 

"We are," Colin replied emphatically before kissing him deeply.

 

Shane returned it as given, with love—and need. "When we finish—" He waved a hand at their partially eaten dinner once the kiss ended.

 

Colin nodded as he pushed back from the table and stood. "You know, suddenly I'm not in the least bit hungry. So, why wait?"

 

They didn't.

 

A long time later, having relearned all they needed to know about how well they meshed as physical as well as emotional lovers, Colin and Shane fell asleep in each others arms.

The Artist and the Actor – 46

     

Lifting his beer, Shane said, "To us."

 

"To us," Colin replied, tapping his bottle with Shane's. He smiled. "There is an 'us', now, I think."

 

"I damned well hope so," Shane retorted. He took a deep breath, and a deep drink. "If there isn't, I'm going to feel like an idiot."

 

Cocking his head, Colin asked, "Why?"

 

"The guy who's place I took in the show is back in dancing shape, or will be before we're supposed to move on to Duluth. The director asked if I'd be willing to let them break my contract for a large payoff." Gazing directly at Colin, Shane said, "I told him that would be fine, as long as I got a glowing recommendation to put on my résumé, too. After all, I have a good reason to stick around here." He took Colin's hands. "At least I'm pretty sure I do."

 

"If you mean me, you do." Leaning in, Colin kissed him gently before pulling back. "I want you in my life again. You know that."

 

"I've always wanted you in mine," Shane said softly. "I know you had your doubts at the end, but I did."

 

"I believe you. If you'd said that the night you showed up at the gallery, I'd have called you a liar. Now…yes, I do believe you."

 

"Finally." Shane cupped one hand behind Colin's head, drawing him close enough to kiss. Much to his relief, Colin returned it heartily and for a moment it deepened. Easing out of it, Shane gestured toward their meal. "We should probably eat before it gets cold."

 

"Good point. We can continue this later."

 

Shane's libido went into overdrive as he hoped Colin meant that the way it sounded. He quickly tamped it down, just in case he didn't. To that end, he asked as he began eating, "Will you let me see the new painting, or is it too soon?"

 

Colin waggled his hand. "It's only the basics. There's a lot more I have to do to it. And…" He hesitated. "It's different from anything you've seen, including Kenny's."

 

That piqued Shane's interest. "Why?"

 

"I think because things have changed in the last couple of weeks. For the last few years, even before…" He waved his hand as if to dismiss what he was about to say. "How I used to paint, the way I depicted the depth of a dreamer's emotions, was too often based on my own emotions, and they weren't always that cheerful, to put it mildly."

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.