Page 34 of The Dating Contract

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On Saturday afternoon,Samuel found himself getting out of his car, on the passenger side, at the JCC. His plans, including driving Leah back to the city, had gone out the window when his brother’s car needed to go to the shop.

“Thanks for letting me borrow the car,” Aaron said with a laugh.

“Not a problem,” Samuel said. He was looking forward to what was going on inside, after all. “Keep me posted on where you are, and I’ll let you know when I’m done.”

“I will,” Aaron said. “No sure what our plan is, but I’ll keep you posted.”

Which was Aaron’s way of saying ‘don’t wait up.’

Which made sense; Aaron and Tommy had plans for the day, which was why Aaron had said comic con wasn’t an option. And transport wouldn’t be a problem; mass transit and rideshare existed.

And as he headed into the rink, he bumped into someone. “I’m sorry,” he said.

Until he realized he’d run into Bryce Emerson. Bryce Emerson was many things: a sculptor, a painter, a multimedia artist who became famous when his art had been featured in a music video. Now he made goalie masks and silly T-shirts and sculptures that fetched a great deal of money at auction.

And Bryce was standing in front of him at the JCC.

“You’re Samuel Levine?”

He picked up his jaw from the floor. “I am. I’ve been following your career,” he said, the words flying out of his mouth faster than he could catch them. “You might say I’m a bit of a fan. I like how you work in different mediums…”

“Like recognizes like,” Bryce replied, much to Samuel’s amazement. “The jewel of it all is how similar the things you style are.” He paused. “When my wife asked what mezuzah we wanted, I said I wanted the scroll to be one of yours.”

This was…beyond words. He’d eventually have to thank his brother for instituting a business model that separated him from the names of his clients. No wonder his brother had an inflated opinion of his business prowess.

Because now, he was standing in front of an artist he admired…who was telling him he was not just a fan but owned something he’d designed. “Wow,” Samuel managed. “You’re kidding me.”

“Not kidding. Not at all. In fact, do you think we can talk about possibly making something together?”

Without a pause he nodded. “Yes,” he said, trying to keep from losing his mind. “I’d love to see what it would look like to have my…style of calligraphy on a mask or…whatever.”

“When you go to watch a four-year-old girls’ hockey practice,” Bryce said with a laugh, “interesting things happen. Why are you here?”

“My girlfriend,” he said without thought. “Her niece is doing the practice, and I’m doing a logo for a ceremony…”

“Hold on,” Bryce said. “You’re dating my wife’s agent?”

“Your wife is represented by Leah Nachman?”

Bryce nodded again, and Samuel felt the bunch of strings that tied him to Leah tighten. “My wife, Carly,isrepped by Leah. So you’re dating Leah, hm?”

He nodded, letting the words sink in. “I…am,” he said. “We’re figuring things out.”

“Good to hear. She’s a good person. And she’s been good for my wife. And you’re doing the logo for the Tzedakah Exchange gala?”

“With my mentor, yes. I’m going to get some ideas about the energy for the logo, you know?”

“I do. I really respect that.” Which felt fantastic to hear from Bryce, someone whose careerherespected. “How about this? We have a design session out at my place in Rivertown on Monday? Bring your mentor and whoever else he has working on the logo.”

Which was a wonderful invitation, except he felt strange accepting on Liam and Oliver’s behalf. “I’ll talk to them. I’m actually seeing them at comic con.”

“Oh wow,” Bryce said, and the awe in his voice made Samuel feel strange in a way he couldn’t quantify. “Comic con. Anyway, let’s go watch the practice and we’ll touch base later.”

And as he and Bryce headed toward the rink, yet again, Samuel found himself thinking about the twists and turns his life had taken. And that he was enjoying every minute.

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