Overcoming Fear (Growing Pains #2)(51)

“I didn’t paint it,” Krista said, taken aback.

Cassie smiled at her, and headed down the stairs.

“Okay, seriously, what is up with Keith?” Krista asked as they neared Sean’s bedroom.

Mary pushed forward to hear what Sean said. Krista wasn’t the only one wondering, but was the only one rude enough to ask.

“He and Cassie split up a week ago because Cassie is moving here from Arizona. Well, and she is not all that into him. He doesn’t want her to go and insisted on coming this weekend.”

“So he could mope the whole time?” Krista asked.

Sean shrugged.

“And what is the deal with his disdainful interest in g*y men?” she persisted as they all filed through the bedroom door.

“He thinks this place is full of, and I quote, ‘queers.’ I think he thinks I am g*y, too, but he hasn’t said.”

“That you are g*y?” Krista asked, incredulous.

“I’m an actor, and also, he hasn’t seen me with a girl.”

“Until now,” Ray said.

Krista eyed Ray, who was looking at her with a knowing smile.

“I liked it better when you were quiet and in the corner, Ray,” Krista said in mock hostility. He just laughed.

“But,” Krista said, getting back to the point. “He hasn’t seen you with a dude, either, so why would that make you g*y?”

“I think the acting part was enough.”

“Yikes. Seems homophobe-ish, doesn’t it?”

Sean shrugged again. Keith wasn’t his problem.

Once they were all in to the large bedroom, Sean looked to the far wall, where, lo and behold, Ben’s painting hung.

The world fell away as Krista stared, incredulous, at Ben’s representation of Krista and Sean’s struggle to coexist hanging on the wall near Sean’s bed. She turned her widened eyes on Sean. “How long as it been there? And why there?”

No one else existed but her as he said, “Since the day I got it. And because I spend all my time in the office or my bedroom. I wanted to see it every day. This was the only place I could accomplish that.”

Ray and Mary walked forward, leaving Krista and Sean to themselves. As Krista looked up into those lush green eyes she fell in love. Deeper in love, maybe. She entwined her fingers through Sean’s and leaned into him, tilting her head up to be kissed. He complied eagerly, wanting nothing more than to wake up and see the real thing every day. Starting tomorrow.

“Ben did that?” Ray asked in a hushed voice, cutting through Krista and Sean’s moment.

“Yes,” Sean said, turning to the painting and putting an arm over Krista’s shoulders. “I’ve seen some other paintings and some graphic art he’s done. He’s gifted.”

“Yes, I see that. This is a neat picture.”

“Painting, honey,” Mary helped, patting Ray’s arm.

“Oh, right, painting.”

“Are you having him do design for the presentation?” Ray asked, turning back toward Sean.

“Yes, but technically it is Judy’s call. So far she wants to use mostly what she came up with.”

“Is it better?”

“Not even remotely. I showed Ben what Krista put together, what I wanted to spin, and the software and supplies he had to work with. The next day he showed up in my office with…” Sean shook his head and focused on Ray. “It’s genius Ray. Original, unique--it… I can’t even describe it. It’s better than anything we had. Much better. We have a dream team.” Sean gave Krista a one-armed squeeze.

Krista was only half listening. Her libido was firing up again. She was looking around the bedroom in interest. He had a queen-sized bed in the middle of the room with a wire headboard. He had a bookcase with a few books, most crooked or leaning, a dresser and two nightstands. He hadn’t put much effort into the décor of this room, except for the painting. It was the only thing on the wall. Krista had the feeling the rest of the house, or the living areas anyway, got remodeled, but this room wasn’t bothered with. It screamed bachelor.

“Was it a fluke?” Ray was saying, moving toward Sean and Krista.

“It was hastily done, as a matter of fact.” Sean snorted. “The next day he had better. More polished. He actually apologized for the earlier stuff.”

“What are you going to do about Judy?”

“Wait until she has all she’s going to give, and show her Ben’s stuff. I’m hoping she’ll do the right thing.”

“She won’t,” Krista said, crossing to the dresser to look at a few pictures of him and Cassie or older people—grandparents?

“Why do you say that?” Ray asked.

“She’s already jealous of Ben. Actually, not jealous. That’s the wrong word. She’s… wary.”

Krista turned around to lean against the dresser before realizing it wasn’t the most stable of furniture. She pitched forward and caught herself right before she fell on her face.

“Wow, clumsy,” she said, waving away a frantic Mary. “Anyway, she’s worried about her job. Ben is inexperienced but obviously way more knowledgeable. Judy won’t want his stuff getting seen.”

“How do you know this?” Sean asked skeptically.