by A. D. Ellis
He chuckled. “Remember when you guys rode me about admitting I liked Sage? Well, maybe you should take your own advice.” He elbowed me. “Rhys, duh. That day he snuck out, you made it sound like it was super casual and not going anywhere. Was that a lie for our benefit or something you were trying to convince yourself of?”
I took a deep breath. Not exactly the conversation I wanted to have with my brother in the bulk warehouse store, but Bode was like a dog with a bone and I knew he wouldn’t let it go. “The sex is absolutely amazing, like deeper than just physical. We were getting along great, had really interesting conversations, and I was really starting to like having him around. I enjoyed spending time with him. We hadn’t labeled it as anything serious, but we were definitely moving from the casual hookup stage to more of a dating stage.” A scowl pulled my brows together and intensified the dull ache in my head. “And then all of that was ripped away. We haven’t talked about whatever we were doing before the building screw-up, we’ve only been butting heads about the studio.”
Bode hummed. “What do you want?”
I laughed humorlessly. “I want to go back to the morning of Rhys sneaking out of my bed, the morning of the fateful phone call, and keep him in my bed, head off whatever paperwork fuck up took place, and have my own studio I can celebrate with a guy I was really starting to fall for.”
Bode squeezed my neck. “Okay, let’s focus on what we can control. If you and Rhys had gotten separate studio buildings you really would be kind of competitors. Sharing a building will take some adjusting, but you get to see him daily and spend time with him.”
I snorted. “Spending time with him now is awkward and tense. Not exactly quality time.”
Bode rolled his eyes. “Don’t be obtuse. You know what I mean. Separate businesses would have likely been more of an obstacle to overcome. Sharing a building brings opportunities. Yes, it messes with your plans, but it also gives you the chance to grow whatever was starting between you two. It’s awkward and tense now, but it doesn’t have to be. You could be the bigger person, take a step toward making peace, extend an olive branch. And discuss the personal side of the relationship as well as the business side.”
“Why do I have to be the one to bend and be the bigger person?” I huffed and ran a hand through my hair. “God, I hate the way I sound. I’m being a sniveling brat.”
Bode put his arm around me and laughed. “Well, Rhys is too. So, it’s not just you. But you can move from the negativity to something more positive. If you’re willing to. Sure, Rhys could do the same. But you can’t control him, may as well take the step to move things along.”
I thought about Bode’s words as we turned the corner to catch up with Kyson and Sage.
“So, the sex is good, huh?” Bode bumped his hip against mine.
I groaned. “So damn good. Like out of this world good. Maybe I’ve only been with shitty sex partners my whole life, I don’t know. But everything with Rhys is better, deeper, hotter than any sex I’ve ever had.”
Bode laughed. “I get it. Same with Sage. I’ve had some ho-hum sex, and I’ve had really good sex. But things with Sage are off the charts.”
I watched as Kyson and Sage discussed something intently in front of the cereals.
“Do you think Kyson and Bay will ever find their way to each other?” I’d seen the way my cousin and our friend, Bay, looked at each other. The four of us sometimes watched Bay’s little boy, Arlo, when Bay couldn’t get away from his motorcycle shop. Bay’s sister had died and left Arlo to Bay; he was an amazing dad, but I saw the longing gazes between Kyson and Bay and wanted them to find happiness and fulfilment in each other.
Bode scrunched up his face. “Who knows. I don’t think either of them would deny they are attracted to each other. But I think Bay is so focused on being a good dad and Kyson is deep in setting up his business. Neither of them seems to be the type for a quick one-and-done, and I’m not sure they are at a point where they can devote time to a relationship.” He shrugged. “But, then again, I’m encouraging you to do just that while you’re setting up your business. Maybe I should start in on Kyson too.” He smiled. “I just want you guys as happy as I am with Sage.”
“Oh, how things change,” I teased and nudged Bode. He had fought tooth and nail before admitting he was attracted to the much younger Sage, but now they were in a solid, loving, sickeningly sweet relationship and I never passed up the opportunity to rib my twin about how much he’d kicked and screamed in protest of anything to do with Sage.
“Yeah, yeah.” Bode grabbed Sage around the neck and kissed the top of his head. “I was slow on the uptake, but I’m smarter now and all the better for it. Don’t be like me. Make that first step.”
Sage squawked but quickly relaxed into Bode’s arms. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but pick your cereal so we can be done.”
We finished our shopping and checked out, loaded the truck, lugged the groceries up the stairs, and made quick work of putting everything away.
And the whole time, I couldn’t stop thinking about Rhys.
That night, I stared at my phone for a full five minutes before finally gritting my teeth and tapping out a message to Rhys.
Me: Extending an olive branch. Would like to invite you to a working lunch. Topics will include color schemes, locations of sales floor items, and studio name. You in?
6
Rhys
I stared at the text for a full five minutes.
Various thoughts and answer options crashed like waves in my head.
I could ignore the invitation.
Or I could flat out turn it down.
Neither of those options were going to help me or the studio.
I missed Benji. Even if we could only be business partners now, I didn’t like the rift between us. I felt alone and miserable, I wanted him back in my life even if it wasn’t exactly the way I wished it could be. And my art had suffered tremendously since the whole lease snafu.
But I didn’t want to submit so easily.
Damn man, do you hear yourself? The guy seems to be trying and the invite seems genuine. Accepting it isn’t submitting, it’s making a move for the betterment of your studio. Get over your damn self.
I tapped out text reply.
Me: Sounds like a plan. I’m in.
I watched the little dots indicating Benji was typing.
Benji: Great. How about lunch tomorrow? Get started early? 10:30? Where?
Did I really want to have tense discussions with Benji at a public place? Although, on the flip side, maybe being in public would keep us on best behavior. No, we’d be more comfortable and productive in a personal environment. I glanced around my living room. I had plenty of space. We could spread out sketches of the studio, catalogs, our laptops, and get some real work done.
Me: Let’s do lunch at my place. We’ll order in. Start at 9? Order lunch around 11? Bring your laptop, catalogs, notes, all that.
Benji took forever to reply.
Shit. Maybe this was a bad idea. Did he not want to come to my place? I tossed my phone on the couch and grabbed a bottle of water. Should I text him and explain my reasoning for inviting him to my place? Did he think I was trying to get the upper hand? Start something back up?
I snatched up my phone, ready to tell him to forget it.
Benji: That works. I’ll be there at 9. I’m ready to bury this and get things up and running.
I took a deep breath and smiled.
Me: Same. See you tomorrow.
I sighed. A short time ago, I would have been excited about making plans with Benji because it would have meant great company and conversation and amazing sex. These plans were exciting for a different reason, but my chest felt empty as I let go of whatever small thing may have been growing between Benji and me.
Benji knocked at exactly nine o’clock the next morning. I swung open the door and offered a tentative smile. “Good morning.” I gestured toward the living room. “Figured we’d
be most comfortable spread out here in the living room.”
We set up our laptops, Benji plopped down a stack of catalogs, I tossed a notebook on the coffee table, and we both sat cross-legged on the floor.
“Okay, first decision,” Benji began.
I swallowed thickly.
“What are we ordering for lunch?” Benji winked.
“What are you in the mood for?”
Benji appeared to think about it for a moment and I tried to ignore the way my stomach fluttered as I watched his beautiful face. “Big ol’ burger?”
“Sounds good. Punch Burger?” I knew they had amazing burgers.
“Perfect.” Benji grabbed a pen. “Okay, now we can get down to the nitty-gritty. Where do you want to start?”
“The name. I think we can’t really feel like it’s our place until we name it something we can both agree on.” I tapped a pen against my knee before reaching for the notebook to make notes.
“What names did you have in mind when it was just you?”
“I was going to play on Golden or Gold. Golden Art, Studio Gold, The Gold Exchange, something along those lines.” I shrugged. “Honestly, I wasn’t in love with any of my ideas.” I didn’t like admitting that because it felt like I was giving Benji an opening to push his studio name on me.
“Well, as attached as I am to The Silver Creative, I can totally understand why you’d not be happy with that name.” Benji pursed his lips. “But we can work with Silver and Gold. Or even Golden.”
I doodled on my paper for a bit. Silver and Gold went together very well. “I think I like Gold, I’ve had people call me Golden and Gold most of my life. But Silver and Gold go together the best. People are used to hearing it like that.”
“Silver and Gold Art. The Silver and Gold Exchange.” Benji played with some of my original ideas.
“The Silver and Gold Creative.” I said the words and immediately knew it was perfect. Damn it. I didn’t want it to be perfect, but it was.
“The Silver and Gold Creative.” Benji tested the name on his tongue before glancing my way. “Thoughts?”
“As much as I hate to admit it, I love it.” I shrugged. “Damn it, I really love it.”
Benji smiled wryly. “We can keep brainstorming, I’m not against coming up with something completely different.”
“What do you think about The Silver and Gold Creative?” Maybe he wouldn’t like the alteration of his original name.
“I kinda love it.” Benji’s cheeks flushed. “But I don’t want to make you feel like you’re just an extra addition to my original name.”
I thought about it. “No, I really do like the name. Silver and Gold go together easily and the words are almost always listed silver and gold rather than gold and silver. I like it and I’m on board if you are.” I raised a brow.
Benji smiled and nodded. “Yeah, I really like it. I’m in.”
I stuck out my hand. “Welcome to The Silver and Gold Creative.”
Benji took my hand and shook. “Thank you.”
I ignored the electric heat that jumped through my body when our skin touched. “Mark the calendar. Benji and Rhys just made a decision. Together. With no blood shed.”
“Tis a monumental occasion, but let’s not celebrate prematurely. We’ve got about a million other decisions to make.” Benji nudged me with his elbow.
But after that first agreement, everything else seemed to fall into place.
“Okay, so I was thinking of a silver rug. You wanted gold.” Benji raised his brows.
“So, we find a silver and gold rug.” My face relaxed into a genuinely relieved smile.
We flipped through catalogs and looked up item numbers online. Within twenty minutes we’d found the perfect silver and gold floor rug for the display floor.
“This will look amazing with the hardwood floors.” Benji rubbed his hands together. “Okay, what’s next?”
“Fixtures?”
He rolled his eyes. “This is getting too easy. Duh, we do a mixture of brushed silver and gold fixtures.”
I laughed. “Duh.”
By eleven, we’d ordered an eclectic mix of silver and gold fixtures that we agreed would mesh well to represent the melding of our names and our artwork.
“Lunch?” Benji stretched. “Then we tackle the most important item.”
“The coffee and tea station,” we both said at the same time and chuckled.
My heart clenched a bit. Being with Benji, laughing, enjoying his company, was so nice. But it also hurt because it was something that could go no further.
Do you know for sure that it can’t? Maybe you should talk to him about it.
I shook away the thought. Our studio was more important than a relationship. I pulled up the Punch Burger site and we placed our orders.
We each immersed ourselves in our phones while we waited for lunch to arrive. It was a comfortable silence. Once the food arrived, we ate and made small talk about Benji’s brother’s bar, The Salty Lizard, and Kyson’s massage therapy practice.
“I definitely plan to set up an appointment with him. Love a good massage.” I shoved a fry in my mouth. “Do you get freebies?”
Benji winked. “I may get a family discount. It’s nice.”
We cleaned up our lunch mess.
“Ready to hit it again?” I cracked my knuckles.
“Let’s do it.” Benji pulled up a search page on his laptop. “We’ll need a silver and gold theme for the coffee and tea station.”
Within an hour we’d gathered together the perfect mix of silver and gold coffee and tea supplies and accessories. We’d grabbed onto the theme of meshing the color theme and our different artistic styles together in a way that worked and it felt good to plan and order and prepare for the studio’s opening.
“Let’s contact local businesses to see if we can get daily treats from them. A different offering each day. Should be good advertising for them and maybe they can do a little Featured At The Silver and Gold Creative promo for us in their shops.” I wrote some notes as Benji started a list of places we could contact.
An hour later, we’d emailed our top ten choices. Once we’d heard back from them, we’d set up a schedule for which days each would be the featured treat at the studio.
We shut our laptops, organized our supplies, and leaned back against the couch with huge sighs.
“Wow, that was exhausting, but it feels really good to have it done.” Benji turned his head toward me.
When I turned my head toward him, we were only inches apart. Those striking hazel eyes, gorgeous face, and kissable lips set me on fire. I wanted to lean in, capture his mouth, pull him close, and never let go.
My heart nearly leapt from my chest when Benji’s hand on the floor grazed against me, his pinky against mine. Was the touch on purpose? Did Benji still want me the same way I still wanted him?
A bing sounded from one of our phones and broke the moment.
Benji coughed and picked up his phone. “We’ve got some emails back.”
We spent a few minutes discussing particulars regarding the studio before Benji sighed. “Guess I better head out. Let’s set a tentative opening date. Do a whole grand opening weekend. I’ll have Kyson and Bode advertise at their places. I bet Bay would spread the word at his shop. Let’s make a list of businesses on and around Mass. Ave. We’ll split it up and stop in to see if they’ll put up flyers for us. I’ll get one made up and printed.”
I frowned.
“No worries, I’ll clear it with you first. Promise.” Benji winked. “Okay, so we’ve got our homework and a plan. You feel good about this?”
We stood up. “Yeah, a lot better now than before.” I followed Benji to the door.
He turned suddenly and faced me. “Can I ask you something?”
I nodded, my throat suddenly dry.
“If this screw-up hadn’t happened, would we have kept up whatever we were doing?” His forehead wrinkled.
I thought about his question.
“Honestly? Probably not. Maybe we would have tried, but we would have ended up as competing studios, super busy, probably would have drifted apart.” I was pretty confident in that answer.
“And now?” Benji’s words were soft.
Tell him you want something to continue. Tell him you miss him, want him.
I took a deep breath. “Not exactly competitors now, but still swamped and need to focus on the studio. Right?”
You fucking coward.
My heart hurt. Why couldn’t I just be honest with him?
Benji’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Yeah, the studio is important. Glad we got a lot of work done today and didn’t kill each other.” He smiled slightly, but it seemed fake.
Benji turned and walked out the door.
I wanted to call him back and tell him I was lying. Pull him into my arms, kiss him, take him to bed. But we had a business to run. What happened if an intimate relationship crashed and burned? Where would The Silver and Gold Creative be after that? As much as I missed what Benji and I had, it felt important to focus on the future of our business. The studio was to be our livelihood, it would take hard work to keep it up and running. A relationship would bring great sex and companionship, but that wouldn’t pay the bills.
Besides, Benji could have protested, told me that he wanted to keep up whatever we’d had going. But he didn’t.
So, it seemed we were on the same page.
7
Benji
“So, wait. You asked him if he wanted to keep things going and he straight up said no?” Bode frowned a few days later as I filled them in on my working lunch with Rhys. “Are you sure?” He and Sage cuddled on the couch.
I shrugged. “I mean, I didn’t spill my guts or flay open my heart to tell him how badly I wanted that, but I gave him a chance to say he was interested and he didn’t. I guess maybe what we had meant a little more to me than to him.”
“You kinda let on that you wanted it to continue and asked him what he thought? What did he say?” Kyson asked from his place on the recliner as he took a big bite of cereal.