The Make-Up Artist

Chapter Twenty Six: The "Accident"

After a little while of silence and clinging onto Taron for dear life, you decide it's probably better if you leave before you get caught. Reluctantly, you pull back from him to look into his eyes.

"We should probably go, don't you think?" You ask him softly. He studies you for a moment, then smiles and agrees.

"Yeah, might have a hard time explaining this one," he says chuckling and effectively lightening the mood. You climb off his lap, and stand, stretching your legs as you do since they have become stiff from being curled up for so long.

"How long were we sitting there?" You ask, noticing how time seems to stand still when you're with Taron.

"I have no idea", he replies, getting to his feet himself. "But my back is telling me it was awhile", he says stretching the area in question. You hear his spine crack and look over at him wide-eyed. "Sheesh, I'm getting old!" He exclaims playfully.

"Yeah right, you're still just a baby", you say smiling at him.

"Um, not quite. I'll be thirty next year", he says shuddering.

"Oh you're right, you're a geezer! Gross!" You tease, and he grabs at your ribs to tickle you, but you're too fast for him and you bolt away.

After locking the door behind you, the two of you walk hand in hand again back to his trailer. You don't realize until you've returned that your phone is still laying on his bed and still turned off. Taron goes into the bathroom, while you retrieve your phone and turn it on, then wait watching it until the screen lights. You frown as you see several mixed texts from Anthony. So much for him not contacting you again. You scroll through them while Taron is still pre-occupied in the bathroom.

Anthony: No, I haven't talked to Lisa yet about our conversation. I wanted to talk to you first. Can we please talk?

Five minutes later:

Anthony: I can call you. Anytime that's convenient for you. Just let me know.

An hour later:

Anthony: What did you say to Lisa? She's really upset...

Ten minutes later:

Anthony: I really think we NEED to talk, please call or text as soon as you can.

Uggh. Why is this happening now? You really don't have the time or energy to deal with this right now. But you don't have to, because Taron comes out of the bathroom, so you quickly close your phone and shove it in your back pocket. You feel bad not telling him about all this, but really, what would be the point?

"You ready?" He asks with a smile.

"Yes," you say as cheerfully as you can. The two of you don't say much on the ride back to the B&B, but there is definitely a different air between you than there was this morning. It doesn't feel strained and you haven't felt a chest pain since you left the costume tent. Taron glances over at you every few minutes and smiles, and you smile back. It just feels...peaceful. Natural. Almost like it was in the beginning. Almost.

Upon arriving at the B&B, the sun has almost set and the sky has taken on a pinkish purplish hue, with a few clouds still dotting the horizon. It's actually quite beautiful. Taron walks you to the front porch slowly without saying a word until you reach the door. You turn to face him, and put your arms around his neck to pull him to you. He sighs into you and nuzzles your neck which makes you tremble, but in the best way.

"Can I come in?" He asks in a low grumble near your ear, which does nothing to help your palpitating heart. You pull back to look into his eyes, which are intently focused on you.