Blue-Eyed Soul by Fae Sutherland, Chelsea James Page B

who he was. Why couldn't he be a nice, normal guy, new to town and interested in settling down? Instead, Remey was equal parts perfect guy and Regan all over again--a drifter, in and out with a smile and a kiss and no hard feelings.
    "I like you, Remey. I like you a lot more than I expected to or wanted to."
    "But?"
    Aleks looked up, conflicted. "But I don't know. I can't think only about what I want." And, oh, he wanted Remey. "I think maybe... we should take a few steps back. I mean, you just got to town. You're here to relax, get back your mojo, right?"
    Remey smiled. "Yeah. I hadn't thought of it that way, but yeah."
    Aleks returned the smile. "So it's a small town. You'll be around and so will I. Let's just..." He shrugged. "See what happens."
    Remey rubbed his thumb across his knuckles, glancing up to meet Aleks's eyes. "So, you're not angry with me."
    Aleks shook his head. "I wasn't ever angry with you. With the situation, yes, but not with you. That'd be stupid and pointless. You didn't ask for those paps to show up any more than I did."
    Remey let out a relieved breath. "Yeah. I ... I can see how you might have wanted to blame me, though. I'm glad you don't because I like you an awful lot, too." His eyes darted toward the couch, and Aleks laughed when he saw where Remey was looking.
    "How about we leave things as they are? I don't think right now is the time for us on the couch. Willow's at Stevan and Jess's house, but I promised to take her to the playground this afternoon. I don't want to be worrying about the clock when I get to have you. Tomorrow might be the right time, or maybe a week from tomorrow. You're not going anywhere, after all."
    Remey grinned. "I'm glad to hear you finally believe me."
    Aleks smiled. "Good. On that note, I think I should grab the paintings and head out, so you can't tempt me with your promising smile and your comfortable couch."
    Remey laughed and nodded, pushing up from the chair and gesturing for Aleks to follow him. "Sure. I brought them inside. I didn't think they should be left in the car, even if it is parked in the garage. They're back here in the den."
    Aleks felt better. This could be good. They were going to be thrown together a lot, it seemed, whether it be for the festival or because of his meddling family. Not to mention how they seemed to have a hard time keeping away from each other on their own, too. So they'd see what happened. With the media attention dying down, maybe there was a chance to get to know Remey. He'd judged him pretty harshly from the outset, which hadn't been fair.
    He crouched down to pick up the canvases, meeting Remey's eyes over the stack. "Thanks for keeping these safe for me."
    Remey smiled. "I didn't mind at all. I might've been tempted to keep one or two, but I certainly didn't mind."
    Aleks glanced down at them, then back up at Remey. "I don't think my creepy flowers and happy skeletons and zombies would fit in with your style."
    Remey smiled, tilting his head. "Oh, you never know. Maybe you've misjudged my style, Aleksander."
    Aleks smiled at the double meaning. "Maybe I have." He was looking forward to finding out.

Chapter 7
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    "Anything else, sweetie?" Mona asked as she paused by his table, picking up the empty plate from his sandwich, and Remey glanced up with a smile.
    "Maybe a mug of your awesome hot apple cider?" he asked, flashing her a grin, and Mona laughed.
    "You're addicted, aren't you?" she teased.
    "Absolutely." Remey answered, looking up as the bells over the door jangled. His smile widened as Aleks stepped into the café. Mona glanced over to the door and waved at Aleks, then headed behind the counter to get Remey's cider. Remey closed his laptop and set it aside as Aleks approached his booth, flashing him a quick grin.
    "Well, hello, what're you doing here? I wasn't expecting to see you today."
    Remey had been thinking about Aleks, though, pretty much all the time, ever since those electric kisses a few nights ago at