Page 31 of Outside the Lines
“Great minds.”
When we returned to the grove, we found Jesse planted in front of it with his hands up. He was surprisingly intimidating in a purple and pink striped shirt and his skinny jeans. “I can’t let you any closer.”
He was blocking a scowling woman in one of the newer Wolf’s Landing T-shirts and a pair of jeans. She had a curl of distaste in her expression. “You shouldn’t have that. You’re not allowed to have Wolf’s Landing merchandise! I’ll be taking it.”
Whoa. What? “Excuse me?” I put myself between the woman and my set. “You’re not taking shit.”
“It’s not merchandise, Marlina.” Simon joined us. “It’s a miniature set.”
Simon knew this woman?
“Simon Derry, you know you’re not supposed to have any Wolf’s Landing-licensed items.” A little crowd was forming behind her, with people peeking over shoulders to get a better view. Great. Just what we needed, a spectacle. Who was this woman? A moment later, two and two mashed together in my brain. She must be from Howling Moon, the shop next door. “It’s not licensed. It’s official.”
“Ian—”
I ignored Simon. “It’s officialWolf’s Landingproperty.” I stepped forward. “And if you so much as touch it, I’ll call the police.”
“Ian—”
Marlina crossed her arms. “Who the hell are you?”
“I’m Ian Meyers, and I’m the miniature set designer forWolf’s Landing.”
That stopped her in her tracks. She gaped at me for a moment. “You work forWolf’s Landing?”
I took another step forward, forcing her to retreat. “Yup.” I dug out the badge I used to get on the lot from my wallet.
She retreated farther and flicked her eyes to the miniature set, then focused on me. “But—”
Simon slid up next to me. “Look, I’m helping Ian out. Long story, but I’ve got the space and supplies he needs in a pinch—”
“He does,” I said.
“—And we need to get back to work.” He peered past her shoulder. “If you want your very own Sacred Grove figurine set, I’m sure Marlina will be happy to sell one to you”—he focused on her—“over at Howling Moon.” Simon spoke the last bit hard and clear, with anger underneath.
Marlina turned and walked away. Some of the crowd dissipated. Others lingered—probably to catch a glimpse of us working. As long as they kept out of our hair, I didn’t care. I clapped Simon on the shoulder. “Come on. Let’s get back to it.”
He glanced at the stragglers. “We’re going to get a crowd now.”
Jesse sighed. “I’ll do what I can to keep the hordes down.” He shooed a few people away as he worked his way back to the counter.
“Better some people watching us do boring shit with paint than it vanishing next door and being completely ruined.”
Simon scrubbed his neck. “I’m sorry, Ian.”
God, he looked adorable when contrite. But this wasn’t on him. “Don’t be.” I nodded to the set. “Let me show you what’s next.”
For the next few hours, we studied the photos, put bits of the grove into place, painted, and I carved a rune onto the altar. We ignored the people watching us. Occasionally, Jesse or Lydia would come and gently redirect people to buy something or take their leave of the shop. “They’re on a deadline, you know,” Lydia murmured to someone.
We were. Or rather, I was. But with Simon helping, the set was becoming more and more like an actualsetand not a pile of broken shit. I’d been right about his painting too. Absolutely professional quality. He made the parts of the grove he was painting match the photographs, and our styles blended well. You couldn’t tell what he’d done and what I had.
It was damn nice to have someone to work with too. I ended up on my own when doing the miniatures, sinceWolf’s Landingcould be so prop-heavy at times. When I wasn’t in the prop shop alone, I was lending a hand on a full-scale set, or crafting a one-off. I should talk to Anna about getting additional help for the miniatures. She owed me one now.
Of course, I owed Lydia too.
I stole a long gaze at Simon. He was so intensely focused on the model, he didn’t register me ogling him. God, he was hot down to his shoes, hotter in the throes of creativity. I couldn’t wait to get him naked again. My mind drifted back to the previous night and the comment he’d made while he was blowing me.
Maybe therewasa way to give Lydia her due.
