So how did he stroke your hair off your face, was it a gentle touch or more like this?"
Luke quickly pushed Alicia's hair out of the way.
"Jesus Luke! Good job I'm already blind. You nearly took my eye out then! No it was a more gentle movement."
"Then he likes you! That is a sexy move."
Alicia leaned back in her chair and shook her head.
"For the hundredth time. What would he want with me?"
"Stop putting yourself down you're beau...."
"Luke! Please. Just stop."
She banged the table with her fist.
Luke breathed in sharply and quietly answered.
"Sorry."
Alicia shook her head.
"No, I'm sorry. I've just got a lot on with the exhibition."
"Have the costumes been put in place yet?"
"Lin is doing that today, I'm going over as soon as I've finished here. You want to come with me and get a preview? I know you're helping out tomorrow anyway but..."
"Absolutely! You excited?"
"Yeah I am, and a bit nervous."
"You've been over everything with a fine tooth comb, it will be fine."
She nodded and quietly started to fiddle with her sleeves.
"Luke?"
"Yep?"
"If I tell you something do you swear to keep it to yourself?"
"Scouts honour."
"I like him."
"Shut the front door! Why would you possibly fancy a highly talented, attractive, kind, successful and considerate genius like Lin?"
Alicia laughed.
"You know sarcasm is the lowest form of wit right."
Luke chuckled. Then sighed.
"You going to tell him?"
"Hell no!"
"Lis, I've seen how he looks at you. I'm pretty sure he likes you too."
"And if he doesn't? If I make a move and I'm wrong what then? I like being round Lin, he's like feeling the warmth of the sunshine on a rainy day. If I say something and I've got completely the wrong end of the stick, then he'd be too embarrassed to be round me and when he is it would just be weird.
Our friendship would be ruined."
"Ok so I'll ask him how he feels and won't tell him anything about what you've said."
"No, because then he will feel awkward and wonder why you were asking. Just forget I mentioned it."
"But what if...."
"...PLEASE Luke. Just forget it. I shouldn't have said anything. I'm being delusional anyway."
"Lis.... "
"How's Danny getting on with the new syllabus?"
Luke shook his head.
"Ok. Hint taken. C'mon I'll walk with you to class and fill you in."
"This is fantastic bud. Well done!"
Chris looked in disbelief as he walked round the theatre.
"You've got it all done in such a short space of time it's amazing."
Lin smiled.
"it's a team effort. Couldn't have done it on my own."
They walked past the costumes and Chris ran his fingers over his old Washington outfit.
"Hey old friend."
"Wanna put it on for old times sake?"
Chris laughed and patted his stomach.
"Don't think it will fit now!"
Lin smiled at him.
"Stop. You're just as beautiful as the day I met you."
"...and you're just as full of bullshit as the day I met you."
Lin chuckled and kissed his friend on the cheek.
"You know I adore you."
"I also know you adore someone else."
"Huh?"
"C'mon. Look at this."
He gestured around.
"It's amazing, but don't tell me you would've gone to all this trouble if a certain lady hadn't arrived on the scene."
Lin frowned and looked round.
"I might not have done, but only because I didn't realise there was a gap. Theatre consumes all the senses. I just want to make it as inclusive as possible. Lis has been invaluable to help me do that."
Chris nodded.
"Ok, but can you just admit to me that you like her. Just a little bit."
Lin's cheeks coloured and he looked at the floor.
"I... I mean..."
Chris patted him on the back.
"It's ok, I'll stop. Has she been yet?"
"Not since all the costumes have landed. She's checked all the braille notices for errors.
She's coming over after work actually to check the audio runs properly time wise now everything else is in place. I'm not sure if it needs to run slower to give more time to touch and place where items are."
He checked his watch.
"She should be here real soon, you time to stay and meet her?"
Chris nodded. "Yeah. Love too."
