Page 41 of A Small Town Spring

He’d arrived full of smiles, wrapped in a baggy rust-colored cardigan and a tartan scarf, a black messenger bag over his shoulder, and it had taken everything in me to hold back from enveloping him in a hug, or kissing his cheek in greeting.If it had been anyone else, any of my other male friends—straight, gay, or other—I’d have given them the full Kingston treatment.But with Toby, I can’t let myself get that close.

He didn’t seem to notice, and we got seated right away while he told me all about the meeting with the gallery curator.We ordered, we talked, and it was all good.

But now he’s holding his fork out to me with a piece of his brown butter sage ravioli speared on it, expecting me to lean across the table to taste it, and I freeze.Taking it would be like touching my mouth to his mouth, through the law of transference.But not taking it would be weird and douchey.So I lean over, snatch the bite off the fork as quickly as I can, while he smiles at me encouragingly.

“Isn’t it marvelous?”he enthuses.“This is honestly the best ravioli I’ve ever had in my life.I’m so glad you suggested this place.Thank you, Kingston.”

I swallow with difficulty, barely tasting the ravioli.

“Of course,” I manage to say, instead of, “will you go out with me?”We’re already out, anyway.And we live together.What else do I fucking want?Besides, maybe, some actual fucking.

I’d settle for a kiss, actually.Toby’s pink lips look perfect for kissing.I wonder if he’s a good kisser.Sometimes really attractive people are subpar kissers because they’ve never had to perfect their technique.On the other hand, he and Ivy were together for so long, it’s hard to believe she’d let him get away with being a lousy kisser.She’s the kind of person who would give her partner gentle, encouraging, and relentless feedback until they turned into the kind of kisser that fulfilled their potential.

But thinking about kissing Toby is exactly what I told myself I wasn’t going to be doing tonight.It’s just difficult to keep my mind off it when he’s insisting on feeding me, giving me compliments, and fairly glowing with excitement after his big afternoon.

“So, tell me, was Fernanda there?”

“No, but Galia and Grayson were, her assistants.They’re very… efficient.And they really do have everything organized.They’re lining up interviews with some magazines and maybe theTimes.They want me to meet with a media trainer, which honestly would make me feel so much better.”

“I know a good one, though she works mainly with authors.Do the G-twins have someone to set you up with?”

“If they don’t, I’ll let you know.Oh, and I have to make a list of people I know to invite to the opening party.Influencers, celebrities, people like that.I’ll have to figure out if I know anyone who meets that description.And I need something to wear.I was hoping you could help me with that.”

“You mean since I moonlight as your stylist now?”I joke.

“Yes—please, please, tell me you’ll help me.”

Toby’s eyes look like liquid gold tonight, more tempting and teasing than any of the actual bling I have in my jewelry cases at home.How can I deny him anything, even though my heart feels so full of yearning for him that it’s starting to hurt.

I smooth down my beard and chuckle, trying to sound casual about it.“Of course.We’ll have you turned out for your big night.There’s plenty of time for that.Though you could stand to get some outfits now if you’re going to be meeting with journalists in person.They might want to take pictures—correction, theywillwant to take pictures.”They’ll want to show off the artist who’s just as beautiful as the works of art he creates.

Toby scrunches up his nose, but it doesn’t mar the overall effect.“Shopping is not my thing.”

I laugh.“Lucky for you, retail therapy is my favorite type of self-care.Leave it to me.”The idea of taking Toby shopping and dressing him like a Ken doll shouldn’t be as arousing as it is.

“Thanks.”

“There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about,” I say, shoving aside my perversions and focusing on what I can do for him.

His gaze flicks down to the table.“Oh?”He twirls the stem of his wineglass, then lifts his eyes to me.His lashes look soft.I want to feel them on my skin.

“Your work situation.I know you’ve started some new pieces, and I was wondering, well, if it wouldn’t be a good idea to get you set up in a studio closer to home.Why don’t we put up one of those pre-made sheds?I looked into it a little bit.”I don’t mention I have one ready to order and an installer already lined up.“It’s got built-in AC and heat.And it would fit perfectly on that slab.I don’t even need a permit—Rosedale passed a backyard zoning amendment a while back.”

Toby’s lips part and his mouth forms an incredulous “o.”“You want to build me a studio?”

“Technically, it comes already built.But essentially.Yeah.”For a long second I think he’s going to see through the gesture and call me out for being irreparably, inappropriately gone for him.

Or say no.

Or both.

His smile turns bright for a second, then disappears.“Well, I—I want to say yes.”

“So say yes,” I tell him, because closing deals is my forte.

“I feel like there’s something you should know first.Before, well.I mean, I’ve been trespassing on your generosity for a while at this point.I guess I didn’t want to—you’re okay with me staying with you for a little longer?”

I knew the offer would force the issue, and I take a deep breath.“I am,” I say calmly, though I feel like I’ve traded pulses with a galloping horse.“It’s been… I mean, you’re a decent roomie, roomie.”

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