Page 152 of Something Like Winter

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“All right, grand tour, but only if you promise to buy something.” Ben exhaled. “Do the postcards count?”

“Those are free, and yes.”

Tim led Ben from painting to painting, eager to show him the ones

he hadn’t seen, dragging him this way and that. Occasionally people

would overhear their conversation and ask Tim questions or make their

own comments. That was fun, but the night wasn’t really about his art or

this gallery. It was about Ben, so Tim spontaneously took his hand and

led him toward the back exit.

“There’s one more piece I’d like to show you,” Tim said.

“Something really special to me.”

He led them out to the parking lot, expecting Ben to stop him and

demand an explanation, but so far he was rolling with it. Hopefully

Allison had kept her part of the bargain. He walked Ben to the passenger

side of his car, letting go of his hand.

“Have any idea what sort of car this is?” Tim asked, opening the

door for him.

“Nope.”

“Care to know?”

“Not really.”

Tim chuckled. “It’s a Bentley. I figured it was the next best thing to

the real deal.”

Ben smiled, which alone was worth the expensive price tag. Once Tim was in the car and driving, he glanced over to see Ben

looking a lot less certain. He wanted to comfort him, to explain what was

happening, but he also didn’t want to ruin the surprise. Most of all he

wanted to tell Ben he was sorry about Jace, to find some words to make

the pain disappear from his heart, but Allison had said not to broach the

subject. Tonight was about the future, or so they hoped.

“Won’t you be missed at the gallery?” Ben asked.

“Me? No. We had one of those life-size cardboard cutouts printed of

me that will go in the corner. No one will know the difference.” “What about me?” Ben said. “It’s only a matter of time before

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