Page 34 of Barrett

“It’s nice to meet you as well. Are these yours?” He nodded toward the paintings.

“They are. I have more at home. We were only allowed two pieces per artist.”

Stepping closer, Reghan’s eyes went over both paintings, though he paid special attention to the one of my brother and me. “That’s you, isn’t it?” he asked me.

“It is. That scene really happened. Mars remembered it and painted it recently.”

“Is this the price?” he asked my brother. Marshall priced them higher than he originally thought he should. I told him the wealthy of East Dremest could afford five times his prices, so he raised them a little.

“It is, but if you want to negotiate, I can do that too.”

“Now, hold on,” I cut in.

“I’ll take it,” Reghan said.

“What?” I faced him. “I told you no pity.”

“And I told you I don’t pity you, Bear.” He leaned close and dropped his voice so only I could hear him, although Marshall was close enough, he would too. “I don’t want a painting of you and your brother in anyone else’s home but mine.”

“Oh my god, you’re perfect,” Marshall whispered. “And you called him Bear. How sweet is that?” When I glanced at my brother, he had his hands clasped and held against his chest.

I pointed at my brother. “You’re not calling me that.”

“That’s Reghan’s name for you, not mine.” Marshall bent to pull a slip of paper out of his bag. He placed it over the top corner of the painting. SOLD was in bold gold letters. Then he handed a piece of paper to Reghan and instructed him on how to pay for it.

“Thank you. I’m going to look at the other pieces of art before I pay,” Reghan said and left my brother and me alone.

Marshall gripped my arm once Reghan was gone. “Barrett, he’s the best. I don’t understand all the brooding though.”

“You don’t know him.”

“I don’t need to. The way he looks at you speaks for itself. There was adoration in his eyes when they were on you.”

“It can’t work, and before you ask why, don’t. Just take my word for it.”

“That’s bullshit. There’s always a way to be with the person you’re meant for. This is no different.”

I shook my head. I couldn’t tell Marshall why it was a horrible idea to be with Reghan. That would mean revealing what I did on the side.

A potential buyer stopped to look at the countryside painting, so I drifted again, silently trailing Reghan around the room. I watched as he made another purchase. This time for a beautiful piece of blown glass in a rainbow of colors.

He moved on to the next person, then the next, before stopping and turning so fast I almost ran into him. “If you’re this obvious at work, it’s amazing you’ve made it this far.”

“You know I’m not.”

“We have to talk after I pay.” He didn’t say it in a threatening way. If anyone overheard, they’d think he just wanted a word with me. I, however, knew better.

“I’ve already told you it can’t work.” Of course, my mind went there. Reghan was standing in front of me, looking like a fucking god, after buying art from my brother because he didn’t want anyone else to have a painting of me. It affected me more than I cared to admit.

“And I’m going to tell you it can. I talked to… him. We’re good.”

“What does that mean?”

“I got the green light.”

“Oh no, there’s no green light here. There are red flags, orange cones, hazard tape, and a person in a fluorescent vest waving his arms and screaming at us to turn around. Are you out of your damn mind?”

“Nope. I see things pretty fucking clearly. I’m going to pay for my new pieces of art, and we’re going to talk.”

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