Page 97 of Thorn Evermore

“Were you…” He shakes his head. “Nothing.”

“What, Neal?”

“It’s weird. I had a dream last night. A nightmare actually. You were in it and…” He goes pale as his words tail off. “I’ve been watching too many movies. Ignore me.”

As he walks off, his words bounce around my head. Did hefeelmy dream? Is that possible? I’ll have to ask Thorn.

When the clock finally turns over to four-thirty, I clock out and rush up front, finding Thorn standing in front of a display of Greek carvings. He touches one, delicately dragging his finger down the front of it, and as he shivers, I do too.

His emotions are a mix of nostalgia and melancholy. I rub my chest. “Thorn?”

He turns to me, his eyes almost glassy. “Hello, lover. I missed you.”

I approach him slowly. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. Come closer.” I do, and he wraps his arm around me, pulling me into his side. “These were made in my village. I knew the artist.”

“What? No way?”

“I was still a boy, always doing things I wasn’t supposed to. I snuck into his workshop to watch him carve the naked male models. I think I was about fifteen or so.”

“Whoa.”

“His name was?—”

“Georgios,” we say at the same time.

Thorn smiles. “Yes. He was a gifted artist and an absolute scoundrel. He had a huge influence on me. When he discovered me hiding in the shadows, he made me sweep the shop. He would welcome his lovers, both male and female, and they would make love. I think he knew I was hiding and watching, but he never confronted me.”

“That’s… totally creepy.”

Thorn chuckles. “Well, yes, these days it would be. He never did anything to me, but he gave me an education just the same. What a memory.”

“That’s incredible.”

“Can I buy them?”

“Uh, yes. They’re for sale. All of them?”

“Yes, all of them.”

“Each one is about five thousand. The larger one is nine.”

“Fine. I must have them.”

“Uh, okay, I’ll carry them up front to wrap them.”

“I’ll do it.”

“I have to until you’ve paid. Store rules.”

Thorn smiles. “I love your dedication to your job.” Before I can grab the statues, he pulls me close. “And I have a surprise for you at home.”

“At home? Do I live with you now?”

“Do you think I would let you leave me?”

“No.” I can’t hold back my giggle of joy. “Never, right?”

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