Chapter 20

“Need a ride?” Conley asked. He was standing in the entryway when Brian got downstairs, with a knowing smile on his face.

“If you wouldn’t mind. I should have paid more attention to the time.”

“Like all great artists, you tend to get too involved in your work.”

Brian snorted as they left the house. “I’m far from great. This will be the first time I’ve painted since, hell, high school.”

“It’s going to be fantastic when it’s done.”

Brian hoped that was the truth, or close to it, since he was doing it for Conley.

* * * *

“Are you planning on working on the painting today?” Conley asked Monday morning when he joined Brian in the solarium.

Brian was torn on how to reply. He wanted to say he was, but since their hike, they’d been spending his days off doing things together. “I intended to, but it can wait,” he replied. “Did you have something in mind?”

“Yep. There’s a new show at the art museum that sounds interesting and right up your alley, I think.”