LEO’S HEART pounded a fast staccato as Felix found a parking place in front of Bright Thoughts Gallery. The traffic was heavy with other people rushing home from their jobs, but there was a steady line of pedestrians along Colorado Avenue, popping in and out of the various art galleries and gift shops.
Felix stared at him for a moment as he pulled the keys out of the ignition. “Smooth your hair down a bit.”
“What?” Leo yanked the sun visor down and looked at his reflection in the small mirror. He adjusted his glasses. Everything looked fine. “I look just like I normally do.”
“Exactly. Flatten your hair down.” Felix reached over to do it.
Leo batted his hands away. “Leave it alone.” He snapped the visor closed.
“Well, if you don’t want to look your best….” Felix turned and glanced in the rearview mirror before opening the door.
After a last quick look in the side mirror, Leo did the same. By the time he reached the sidewalk, Felix was standing next to the car. He took a long breath, trying to slow his pounding heart in hopes that he wasn’t about to make a fool out of himself.
“Don’t make me drag you in there.” Felix feigned grabbing Leo’s arm.
Leo walked past him. “You don’t have to.” He made it across the sidewalk and pushed the door open before his nerves got the better of him.
The smell of lavender hit Leo as he walked into the gallery. His shoes squeaked on the dark hardwood floor. He glanced about and couldn’t immediately spot Aud. A statuesque woman with long black hair was talking with a richly dressed couple near a large painting of a golden horse. Beside it was a huge painting of a red bull, whose balls were nearly as big as his buttocks.
“I think I tricked with the guy who modeled for that one.” Felix pointed at the bull. “All balls and no dick… a real shame when I saw what was actually in his big basket. At least he let me pull on them.”
He did not just say that. God, please don’t let Aud be here. Heat rose in Leo’s face as he hoped no one had just heard Felix’s comment. He had a sudden fear he’d never be able to come back into the gallery again. “Hush,” he hissed as softly as he could.
The place felt too expensive for his normal playing around with Felix. He wanted to be very polite and proper. He turned his attention away from his friend and looked at some of the stained-glass pieces that hung in the western window with the evening sun shining through them. They were very pretty; most of them were various geometric designs, but one was a nearly perfect representation of Pikes Peak. There was also a beautiful firebird.
“Can I help you?” The tall woman came over to him. According to her name badge, this was Heather. He glanced toward the door, and the couple was leaving the gallery.
“Ah.” Leo was suddenly at a loss for words. He swallowed. “I came by to see Aud. We met last night.”
Heather’s eyes grew wide. “You’re the guy from drawing class last night. Leo?”
Heat rose again in Leo’s face. “Yeah, that’s me.”
“Wow, Aud will be sorry he missed you. He’s been wanting you to stop by. He’s really hoping—” She paused. “—to sketch you. He said you have an amazing face, and he’s right. I can definitely see what caught his eye.”
“So, Aud does work here, then?” Felix appeared at Leo’s shoulder.
“He owns the place. He’s left for the day. He normally heads out about four and leaves me to close up. I can call him if you like.”
Leo shook his head emphatically. “There’s no need for that. You can tell him I stopped by and would be happy to pose for him. I can call him and set up a time.”
“Which business card did he give you?”
“Which one?” Leo hadn’t known anyone who had multiple business cards. He pulled out his wallet, where he’d put the card when he’d gotten home the previous night. He handed the card to Heather.
She glanced at it and grinned. “The number on here is his cell phone. You can get hold of him at any time.”
Leo took the card back and looked at it again. It didn’t say “cell phone number” on it. He took one of the cards sitting on the glass counter between him and Heather. The numbers were different. He put the regular card back in its holder and returned the personal one to his wallet. “Okay. Maybe if nothing comes up, I’ll try and call him tonight.”
“I know he’d really like that. I’ll let him know you stopped by.”
Leo swallowed again. “Thanks.” He turned and hurried out of the gallery, not even waiting to see if Felix was following him.
He couldn’t go far; they were in Felix’s car, so he had to wait for him to come out and join him. He’s been talking to his assistant about me? I don’t know if that’s cool or creepy. But he is really hot.
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