Cory was quiet as they walked the length of the street and turned the corner, and Juniper tried very hard not to look at the man. He might not stop looking if he did.
But, when Cory shook his head and smiled at Juniper, Juniper looked. He almost stopped in his tracks again, but he managed to narrowly avoid it.
In the lamplight, Cory's smile was dizzying and dazzling, his mouth upturned on one side like he knew exactly what game Juniper was playing, and his eyes were heavy with possibility. Juniper drew in a deep breath, steadying himself.
Too quickly, they both looked away from each other--there was too much intensity for being in the public view, even if no one was around. Surely, at the trolley stop, there would be--lounge-goers drunkenly travelling home, lovers out to some late-night tryst. The city was still very much awake this time of night.
"Thank you for walking me," Cory said, and out of the corner of his eye, Juniper saw that Cory's smile was wide and brilliant.
Juniper let out a breath, only a little disappointed that Cory wasn't also playing the game Juniper had started. But, then again, it was risky. Everything was risky. And really, Juniper shouldn't be pushing it. This was only a first date, after all.
Juniper nodded and said in an even tone, "Of course. It was the least I could do." He meant it as a way to flatter Cory, to indicate that of course Cory deserved such treatment, but Juniper worried it had come across as egotistical. There's so much more I could show you.
But, then again, there was so much more Juniper could and likely would do for Cory, if given the chance, so perhaps it was, in fact, an apt thing to say. Still, a potent silence remained, and they made it a full block before either of them said anything. The anticipation of their goodbye hung heavy for Juniper. How on earth would they end such a glorious encounter?
Whatever Juniper wanted to say, he needed to say it now before they had company. He could already see several other people waiting at the stop.
Juniper ran through several options in his mind before he finally landed on something. "I feel incredibly grateful that I had the courage to give you my card the other night. I had no idea how lovely this night would be. Thank you."
He didn't look at Cory except for one glance before he thanked him, but it was enough. He would keep the image in his mind for many days to come.
Edward Hopper's Art Show (Cory & Juniper, Part 2)
Re: Edward Hopper's Art Show
"I feel incredibly grateful that I had the courage to give you my card the other night. I had no idea how lovely this night would be."
Juniper only looked at Cory briefly before adding, "Thank you," and then his eyes were away again. To be fair, Cory's own gaze could also scarcely hold steady on the man. They were within sight now of the train stop, the other people waiting, the unknown eyes who might already be scoping them out. Remain unremarkable was the imperative from deep within Cory's body, leaving him feeling a little bit hazy as he indulged in imaginations of what he could not do in person. Bringing Juniper's hand to caress against his cheek, gazing longingly into the man's beautiful eyes, bringing their lips together in a kiss, fingers twining in each other's hair. He had to look at the sidewalk as he thought about it, sure that if he didn't then somehow potential onlookers might read his mind, and have opinions about it.
"It's been an absolute delight, Juniper." He finally managed, his voice a bright airy whisper, his smile curled and effusively happy. Perhaps there was something comical, whispering airily like that down toward the sidewalk, but surely Juniper could feel himself on the other end of Cory's gaze, even averted as it was. Cory wished desperately strongly for it to be so.
He staved off the melancholy as he and Juniper parted ways by replaying the many beautiful moments they had shared that evening, from artwork to jackets hanging in trees to hands on each other's bodies. He scarcely saw what was in front of him the entire journey to his apartment, and only the need to get into more comfortable clothing put off the need to draw once he was home. He was up quite late into the night, his hands thoroughly suffused with charcoal by the time the hour finally began to catch up with him. When he had no more energy to draw, he gazed contentedly for a long while still at the images that had poured out of him, and then at last his eyes grew too heavy for even that. He didn't dare try to discern the actual time, only gave his hands a cursory wash and at long last curled into bed, thinking fondly of Juniper's embrace under the maple trees as he drifted off to sleep.
Of course, life didn't magically come to a stop just because of an amazing evening. Cory had to rush to plans thanks to sleeping in, and in the busy daylight it was almost hard to believe the evening had been real. He was grateful, when next he settled back in at home, for the drawings he'd done, bringing those precious moments back to life. Though, it occurred to him that he probably shouldn't just leave them out where a guest might stumble upon them before he remembered they were there. Not that they were terribly incriminating--not most of them, anyway--but he at least found a drawer to tuck them into once he'd contented himself with another long session of gandering at them, basking in the memories and the visual delights.
He considered writing Juniper then, but was feeling pulled toward other things, having spent the open space he'd had in that moment on the drawings. Besides, was it better to give it a little time? He wasn't sure. But he was quite sure that he did not really know what exactly to write. Was it safe to be plain in a letter? Would he need to speak obtusely? He had no confidence or finesse at this at all, and it wasn't a straightforward thing to ask anyone advice about. So, he angsted for some while on his own, until at last life afforded him the space he needed to just sit down and start writing--scratches on scrap paper at first, just to get his thoughts out, and then finally putting together the note he planned to send.
Dear Mister Lane,
Thank you for the invitation to the art museum. I had not yet been since arriving in New York, and it was a delight to see. I appreciated your insights about the art as well.
I've included the details on my gallery show coming up, which I would certainly love for you to attend.
I also wonder if you might join me at my studio soon to have a look at some of the other art I'm working on, and perhaps I could steal some of your thoughts?
In any case, I look forward to talking with you more, whatever the occasion.
Yours Truly,
Cory Carter
It was obtuse, certainly, but Cory just couldn't bring himself to take much of any risk at this point, sealed envelope or no. What he did do, in the hopes that it might give Juniper some of the warmth that Cory was perhaps too paranoid to display openly in text, was include a small drawing next to where he'd written his studio's address and a date when he'd be there and it'd work well to meet. It was a lovingly rendered maple leaf, drawn while thinking once more of his time with Juniper under those sweet trees in the park.
Juniper only looked at Cory briefly before adding, "Thank you," and then his eyes were away again. To be fair, Cory's own gaze could also scarcely hold steady on the man. They were within sight now of the train stop, the other people waiting, the unknown eyes who might already be scoping them out. Remain unremarkable was the imperative from deep within Cory's body, leaving him feeling a little bit hazy as he indulged in imaginations of what he could not do in person. Bringing Juniper's hand to caress against his cheek, gazing longingly into the man's beautiful eyes, bringing their lips together in a kiss, fingers twining in each other's hair. He had to look at the sidewalk as he thought about it, sure that if he didn't then somehow potential onlookers might read his mind, and have opinions about it.
"It's been an absolute delight, Juniper." He finally managed, his voice a bright airy whisper, his smile curled and effusively happy. Perhaps there was something comical, whispering airily like that down toward the sidewalk, but surely Juniper could feel himself on the other end of Cory's gaze, even averted as it was. Cory wished desperately strongly for it to be so.
He staved off the melancholy as he and Juniper parted ways by replaying the many beautiful moments they had shared that evening, from artwork to jackets hanging in trees to hands on each other's bodies. He scarcely saw what was in front of him the entire journey to his apartment, and only the need to get into more comfortable clothing put off the need to draw once he was home. He was up quite late into the night, his hands thoroughly suffused with charcoal by the time the hour finally began to catch up with him. When he had no more energy to draw, he gazed contentedly for a long while still at the images that had poured out of him, and then at last his eyes grew too heavy for even that. He didn't dare try to discern the actual time, only gave his hands a cursory wash and at long last curled into bed, thinking fondly of Juniper's embrace under the maple trees as he drifted off to sleep.
Of course, life didn't magically come to a stop just because of an amazing evening. Cory had to rush to plans thanks to sleeping in, and in the busy daylight it was almost hard to believe the evening had been real. He was grateful, when next he settled back in at home, for the drawings he'd done, bringing those precious moments back to life. Though, it occurred to him that he probably shouldn't just leave them out where a guest might stumble upon them before he remembered they were there. Not that they were terribly incriminating--not most of them, anyway--but he at least found a drawer to tuck them into once he'd contented himself with another long session of gandering at them, basking in the memories and the visual delights.
He considered writing Juniper then, but was feeling pulled toward other things, having spent the open space he'd had in that moment on the drawings. Besides, was it better to give it a little time? He wasn't sure. But he was quite sure that he did not really know what exactly to write. Was it safe to be plain in a letter? Would he need to speak obtusely? He had no confidence or finesse at this at all, and it wasn't a straightforward thing to ask anyone advice about. So, he angsted for some while on his own, until at last life afforded him the space he needed to just sit down and start writing--scratches on scrap paper at first, just to get his thoughts out, and then finally putting together the note he planned to send.
Dear Mister Lane,
Thank you for the invitation to the art museum. I had not yet been since arriving in New York, and it was a delight to see. I appreciated your insights about the art as well.
I've included the details on my gallery show coming up, which I would certainly love for you to attend.
I also wonder if you might join me at my studio soon to have a look at some of the other art I'm working on, and perhaps I could steal some of your thoughts?
In any case, I look forward to talking with you more, whatever the occasion.
Yours Truly,
Cory Carter
It was obtuse, certainly, but Cory just couldn't bring himself to take much of any risk at this point, sealed envelope or no. What he did do, in the hopes that it might give Juniper some of the warmth that Cory was perhaps too paranoid to display openly in text, was include a small drawing next to where he'd written his studio's address and a date when he'd be there and it'd work well to meet. It was a lovingly rendered maple leaf, drawn while thinking once more of his time with Juniper under those sweet trees in the park.
Re: Edward Hopper's Art Show
It was all happening too fast, their privacy vanishing as they approached other people out for a stroll late at night, wild and laughing with wanton regard for who might be watching. What luxury, Juniper thought.
But, at least he was not alone in the sensation. Juniper was certain that Cory felt it too, the palpable closing in of the public view.
"It's been an absolute delight, Juniper," Cory said with his head turned away, his whisper full of breathless emotion that the crowd could not possibly hear. It was the most intimate thing Cory could have done without notice, and Juniper savored it in his chest.
It didn't seem wise to linger in their goodbyes, so Juniper nodded at the man once they had arrived, and no words needed to be spoken that weren't already said. All Juniper could hope for now was that Cory did, in fact, decide to leave a letter.
Before he did something he would regret, Juniper turned around and walked back the way they had come.
Juniper's decision to cut through the park on his way home was partially motivated by the shorter distance and partially motivated by a desire to reassure himself that what happened had actually been reality. He didn't go so far as to walk along the same path that he and Cory had taken, but he did sit on a bench facing those maples for a few moments, trying to burn everything he remembered into his mind for later. Without Cory directly beside him, it seemed impossible that he would go so far as to brave a letter, but maybe that didn't matter. They had made beautiful memories here, and those, at least, were real.
When the chastisement began to settle in--about whether it was wise of him to pursue this sort of thing at all--he stood from the bench and kept walking. Surely, it was possible to keep it a secret but still experience what he wanted to explore with Cory. But, then again, what if it went terribly wrong and out of spite he...
No, just because past lovers had played that card, that didn't mean that Cory would also. And, besides, both of them had something to lose. Henry had already been out, then, and...
But Juniper didn't want to dwell on the past or, at least, not the far-back past. Better to think of the gallery, of the moment when Cory's hand first touched his, of the breathless way Cory found to slip Juniper's name onto the end of his sentences. Absentmindedly, Juniper pressed a hand up over the shoulder of his jacket. Underneath, on his pressed shirt, Cory had cried on his shoulder. The smell of the man likely still lingered there, mixed with the sweet smell of the maples and the lightness of the breeze. Briefly, Juniper imagined cooking and plating an extravagant meal for Cory inspired by that evening, thinking of where he would source each of the ingredients. He wanted to impress Cory, to delight him yet more.
Juniper smiled to himself, thinking of Cory's goodbye, It's been an absolute delight, Juniper.
When he made it home, he travelled through many rooms and up the staircase toward his bedroom, where he undressed in front of the mirror, shrugging his jacket off the same way he had down in front of Cory, wondering what that had looked like to the man. Dashing, entrancing, he hoped. His hair was still curled nicely off to one side, and he was grateful it had survived the evening.
There were, indeed, salt stains on the shoulder of his dress shirt, but it likely wasn't something dry cleaning couldn't handle. He touched the spots, wondering if Cory was thinking about him at exactly that same moment.
Juniper stayed in front of the mirror as he continued undressing, imagining that Cory and he had been in a private enough space to do so. Once he had opened each of the buttons of his shirt, he looked at the line of exposed skin and ran his fingers slowly from top to bottom, imagining it was Cory's hand. Juniper's breathing hitched as he remembered his own hands against Cory's low back, teasing themselves around the waistbands of Cory's pants. And, dear goodness, what would it have felt like to have his hand around Cory's backside?
His breath shuddered as he slid his long-sleeve shirt off his arms and looked at himself. He perhaps wasn't as muscular as he would have liked, but the flat plane of his abdomen as it reached toward his belt pleased him. He turned his back on the mirror as he unbuckled his belt and slid his pants down, too embarrassed to keep watching himself. But, still, he undressed as though someone were watching, trying to be as graceful and enchanting as possible here in his closet. He smiled bashfully, though it was a full, wide smile, thinking about Cory looking on at him from the bed. Juniper hummed in his throat as he moved his hips softly from side to side and pulled his underwear down as well, fully nude.
At that point, he did turn back to the mirror, examining himself, on the whole rather pleased with how he looked. He hoped Cory might think the same. The artist offered to draw Juniper nude, after all. Bringing an ottoman and a towel from the bedroom in front of the full-length closet mirror, Juniper experimented with some of the poses he had seen in Hopper's nude drawings. Several of them felt terribly awkward or difficult to maintain. Finally, Juniper closed his eyes and tried to think of how his body wanted to pose. How did he want Cory to see him?
Did he want to pose nonchalantly? Maybe reading a book? No, perhaps not. That seemed pretentious somehow.
Did he want to sit on the ground in a twist so none of the explicit parts of him were on display? Something about that was unsatisfying, and he didn't want to come across as cowardly.
He suddenly had an image of himself standing at the kitchen corner, studiously chopping vegetables in the nude. A smile brightened his face. It was probably too elaborate for Cory to set up, but he appreciated having thought of something he liked the idea of. And, really, maybe he was putting far too much thought into it. Perhaps Cory would choose a pose for Juniper. Perhaps Cory wouldn't draw Juniper in the nude at all. Perhaps there wouldn't ever come a letter and life would go on utterly unremarkably.
That was enough to make Juniper dress again in his bedclothes and lie down, though his thoughts still strayed to Cory.
Lightly massaging his back, whispering his name, holding his body closer...
Before Juniper knew it, he was dreamlessly asleep.
Juniper only allowed himself to check his mail as often as he normally would in the following days. Fortunately, there were many details to sort through with Mr. Kade regarding the lounge to busy himself with. Mr. Kade had found a location and had found a bank to draft up agreements for the space. Together, they toured it once more to confirm that Juniper liked the layout. There was some construction that would need to be done to turn some of the larger back spaces into smaller rooms, but Juniper definitely saw the appeal. The front had previously been a high-class restaurant, which appealed to Juniper greatly. He delightedly imagined the potentiality for choosing the menu.
As they went to lunch to talk it over afterward, Juniper asked, "Does it seem overdone? A restaurant with more going on in the back?"
Serio looked thoughtfully at his drink for a moment, "Well, if not that, it would need to be a place people might theoretically go late at night, if we want to be discreet."
Juniper nodded, looking at his hands, "I like the idea of a clothing or fabric store, but that doesn't exactly fit the criteria."
Serio tilted his head slightly and asked, "What about a bookstore and tea house?"
Juniper considered this. He liked the idea, but he wasn't fully certain that he could source all the books quickly without depleting his personal library, and he was loathe to do that. Although, he did enjoy the idea of a book as some sort of secret password to entry.
Then, it came to him. "What about dessert?"
Serio's eyebrows lifted, which seemed a good sign. Juniper went on, encouraged. "Then there would be no need to take out the kitchen equipment, and we could serve desserts in the back as a sensory experience."
"I'm already thinking of delightful name possibilities for the crossover. I think it would be perfect," Serio said. Juniper thought of the moment that Cory put the strawberry to his lips at the party, and Juniper's stomach did dramatic flips. Yes, it did seem perfect.
"Shall we sign the agreements, then?" Juniper asked, fully prepared to get going.
"Sleep on it for me," Serio offered wisely, "And give me a call tomorrow if that's still in the cards for you. It is a substantial investment."
Juniper appreciated Serio's thoughtfulness--it was a significant amount of capital that Juniper was putting up for this--but he had enough to spare without cutting too much into his bottom line, and he couldn't imagine a more enjoyable way to put it to use.
The pair spent the rest of their lunch excitedly talking about theme and décor possibilities, many with corresponding desserts, and Juniper noted them down studiously, enjoying that this dream of a space for people like him felt more fully within grasp.
But, in the evenings, when Juniper returned home from his outings, his thoughts frequently returned to Cory. He wondered how long he was prepared to wait until he gave up on the whole endeavor. A week? Two weeks? A month? He wasn't sure, but it wasn't as though he was holding out for other prospects. Juniper could be patient, even if his thoughts tried to convince him otherwise.
He called Serio to confirm the location for the lounge and spent the day re-organizing books in his library as he waited for a recent shipment to come in.
When he went out to check his mail, there was a plain enveloped letter from a Mr. Carter, and Juniper nearly dropped it, his fingers shaking.
He brought it inside, going through all his other mail first--business accounts and invoices mostly--before he sat at the table staring at it in front of him. He wasn't sure he could open it. It seemed equally likely that it could be a kind denial as it could be an invitation. Was it better not to know?
Of course not.
He picked up the letter and brought it to his bedroom where he would have more privacy.
With a shaky breath, he opened it.
Dear Mister Lane,
Thank you for the invitation to the art museum. I had not yet been since arriving in New York, and it was a delight to see. I appreciated your insights about the art as well.
I've included the details on my gallery show coming up, which I would certainly love for you to attend.
I also wonder if you might join me at my studio soon to have a look at some of the other art I'm working on, and perhaps I could steal some of your thoughts?
In any case, I look forward to talking with you more, whatever the occasion.
Yours Truly,
Cory Carter
Beneath the letter was a painstakingly drawn maple leaf in graphite and watercolor, easily reminiscent of the maple trees they had stood under together, wrapped in each other's arms. There were addresses and dates for the gallery showing as well as two options for the studio appointment: this Saturday or next at 2 p.m.
Three days from now, Juniper thought. Absurdly, he wished it were sooner. Although, should he wait and come during the second option to not look too eager? Juniper didn't think he really had the patience for that, and he hated the idea of Cory waiting for him to show up to no avail. No, if Juniper wasn't going to attend this Saturday, he should at least send notice.
Juniper touched the leaf with a finger, imagining how long Cory must have spent drawing it. Was it possible that Cory had thought of Juniper as often as Juniper had thought of Cory?
If Cory was genuinely offering a time three days from now, Juniper was inclined to trust it.
((OOC: I think this would be a good time for Cory to set up how he wants the next scene to start? Where does he meet Juniper when he arrives?))
Continued in Cory's Art Studio
But, at least he was not alone in the sensation. Juniper was certain that Cory felt it too, the palpable closing in of the public view.
"It's been an absolute delight, Juniper," Cory said with his head turned away, his whisper full of breathless emotion that the crowd could not possibly hear. It was the most intimate thing Cory could have done without notice, and Juniper savored it in his chest.
It didn't seem wise to linger in their goodbyes, so Juniper nodded at the man once they had arrived, and no words needed to be spoken that weren't already said. All Juniper could hope for now was that Cory did, in fact, decide to leave a letter.
Before he did something he would regret, Juniper turned around and walked back the way they had come.
Juniper's decision to cut through the park on his way home was partially motivated by the shorter distance and partially motivated by a desire to reassure himself that what happened had actually been reality. He didn't go so far as to walk along the same path that he and Cory had taken, but he did sit on a bench facing those maples for a few moments, trying to burn everything he remembered into his mind for later. Without Cory directly beside him, it seemed impossible that he would go so far as to brave a letter, but maybe that didn't matter. They had made beautiful memories here, and those, at least, were real.
When the chastisement began to settle in--about whether it was wise of him to pursue this sort of thing at all--he stood from the bench and kept walking. Surely, it was possible to keep it a secret but still experience what he wanted to explore with Cory. But, then again, what if it went terribly wrong and out of spite he...
No, just because past lovers had played that card, that didn't mean that Cory would also. And, besides, both of them had something to lose. Henry had already been out, then, and...
But Juniper didn't want to dwell on the past or, at least, not the far-back past. Better to think of the gallery, of the moment when Cory's hand first touched his, of the breathless way Cory found to slip Juniper's name onto the end of his sentences. Absentmindedly, Juniper pressed a hand up over the shoulder of his jacket. Underneath, on his pressed shirt, Cory had cried on his shoulder. The smell of the man likely still lingered there, mixed with the sweet smell of the maples and the lightness of the breeze. Briefly, Juniper imagined cooking and plating an extravagant meal for Cory inspired by that evening, thinking of where he would source each of the ingredients. He wanted to impress Cory, to delight him yet more.
Juniper smiled to himself, thinking of Cory's goodbye, It's been an absolute delight, Juniper.
When he made it home, he travelled through many rooms and up the staircase toward his bedroom, where he undressed in front of the mirror, shrugging his jacket off the same way he had down in front of Cory, wondering what that had looked like to the man. Dashing, entrancing, he hoped. His hair was still curled nicely off to one side, and he was grateful it had survived the evening.
There were, indeed, salt stains on the shoulder of his dress shirt, but it likely wasn't something dry cleaning couldn't handle. He touched the spots, wondering if Cory was thinking about him at exactly that same moment.
Juniper stayed in front of the mirror as he continued undressing, imagining that Cory and he had been in a private enough space to do so. Once he had opened each of the buttons of his shirt, he looked at the line of exposed skin and ran his fingers slowly from top to bottom, imagining it was Cory's hand. Juniper's breathing hitched as he remembered his own hands against Cory's low back, teasing themselves around the waistbands of Cory's pants. And, dear goodness, what would it have felt like to have his hand around Cory's backside?
His breath shuddered as he slid his long-sleeve shirt off his arms and looked at himself. He perhaps wasn't as muscular as he would have liked, but the flat plane of his abdomen as it reached toward his belt pleased him. He turned his back on the mirror as he unbuckled his belt and slid his pants down, too embarrassed to keep watching himself. But, still, he undressed as though someone were watching, trying to be as graceful and enchanting as possible here in his closet. He smiled bashfully, though it was a full, wide smile, thinking about Cory looking on at him from the bed. Juniper hummed in his throat as he moved his hips softly from side to side and pulled his underwear down as well, fully nude.
At that point, he did turn back to the mirror, examining himself, on the whole rather pleased with how he looked. He hoped Cory might think the same. The artist offered to draw Juniper nude, after all. Bringing an ottoman and a towel from the bedroom in front of the full-length closet mirror, Juniper experimented with some of the poses he had seen in Hopper's nude drawings. Several of them felt terribly awkward or difficult to maintain. Finally, Juniper closed his eyes and tried to think of how his body wanted to pose. How did he want Cory to see him?
Did he want to pose nonchalantly? Maybe reading a book? No, perhaps not. That seemed pretentious somehow.
Did he want to sit on the ground in a twist so none of the explicit parts of him were on display? Something about that was unsatisfying, and he didn't want to come across as cowardly.
He suddenly had an image of himself standing at the kitchen corner, studiously chopping vegetables in the nude. A smile brightened his face. It was probably too elaborate for Cory to set up, but he appreciated having thought of something he liked the idea of. And, really, maybe he was putting far too much thought into it. Perhaps Cory would choose a pose for Juniper. Perhaps Cory wouldn't draw Juniper in the nude at all. Perhaps there wouldn't ever come a letter and life would go on utterly unremarkably.
That was enough to make Juniper dress again in his bedclothes and lie down, though his thoughts still strayed to Cory.
Lightly massaging his back, whispering his name, holding his body closer...
Before Juniper knew it, he was dreamlessly asleep.
Juniper only allowed himself to check his mail as often as he normally would in the following days. Fortunately, there were many details to sort through with Mr. Kade regarding the lounge to busy himself with. Mr. Kade had found a location and had found a bank to draft up agreements for the space. Together, they toured it once more to confirm that Juniper liked the layout. There was some construction that would need to be done to turn some of the larger back spaces into smaller rooms, but Juniper definitely saw the appeal. The front had previously been a high-class restaurant, which appealed to Juniper greatly. He delightedly imagined the potentiality for choosing the menu.
As they went to lunch to talk it over afterward, Juniper asked, "Does it seem overdone? A restaurant with more going on in the back?"
Serio looked thoughtfully at his drink for a moment, "Well, if not that, it would need to be a place people might theoretically go late at night, if we want to be discreet."
Juniper nodded, looking at his hands, "I like the idea of a clothing or fabric store, but that doesn't exactly fit the criteria."
Serio tilted his head slightly and asked, "What about a bookstore and tea house?"
Juniper considered this. He liked the idea, but he wasn't fully certain that he could source all the books quickly without depleting his personal library, and he was loathe to do that. Although, he did enjoy the idea of a book as some sort of secret password to entry.
Then, it came to him. "What about dessert?"
Serio's eyebrows lifted, which seemed a good sign. Juniper went on, encouraged. "Then there would be no need to take out the kitchen equipment, and we could serve desserts in the back as a sensory experience."
"I'm already thinking of delightful name possibilities for the crossover. I think it would be perfect," Serio said. Juniper thought of the moment that Cory put the strawberry to his lips at the party, and Juniper's stomach did dramatic flips. Yes, it did seem perfect.
"Shall we sign the agreements, then?" Juniper asked, fully prepared to get going.
"Sleep on it for me," Serio offered wisely, "And give me a call tomorrow if that's still in the cards for you. It is a substantial investment."
Juniper appreciated Serio's thoughtfulness--it was a significant amount of capital that Juniper was putting up for this--but he had enough to spare without cutting too much into his bottom line, and he couldn't imagine a more enjoyable way to put it to use.
The pair spent the rest of their lunch excitedly talking about theme and décor possibilities, many with corresponding desserts, and Juniper noted them down studiously, enjoying that this dream of a space for people like him felt more fully within grasp.
But, in the evenings, when Juniper returned home from his outings, his thoughts frequently returned to Cory. He wondered how long he was prepared to wait until he gave up on the whole endeavor. A week? Two weeks? A month? He wasn't sure, but it wasn't as though he was holding out for other prospects. Juniper could be patient, even if his thoughts tried to convince him otherwise.
He called Serio to confirm the location for the lounge and spent the day re-organizing books in his library as he waited for a recent shipment to come in.
When he went out to check his mail, there was a plain enveloped letter from a Mr. Carter, and Juniper nearly dropped it, his fingers shaking.
He brought it inside, going through all his other mail first--business accounts and invoices mostly--before he sat at the table staring at it in front of him. He wasn't sure he could open it. It seemed equally likely that it could be a kind denial as it could be an invitation. Was it better not to know?
Of course not.
He picked up the letter and brought it to his bedroom where he would have more privacy.
With a shaky breath, he opened it.
Dear Mister Lane,
Thank you for the invitation to the art museum. I had not yet been since arriving in New York, and it was a delight to see. I appreciated your insights about the art as well.
I've included the details on my gallery show coming up, which I would certainly love for you to attend.
I also wonder if you might join me at my studio soon to have a look at some of the other art I'm working on, and perhaps I could steal some of your thoughts?
In any case, I look forward to talking with you more, whatever the occasion.
Yours Truly,
Cory Carter
Beneath the letter was a painstakingly drawn maple leaf in graphite and watercolor, easily reminiscent of the maple trees they had stood under together, wrapped in each other's arms. There were addresses and dates for the gallery showing as well as two options for the studio appointment: this Saturday or next at 2 p.m.
Three days from now, Juniper thought. Absurdly, he wished it were sooner. Although, should he wait and come during the second option to not look too eager? Juniper didn't think he really had the patience for that, and he hated the idea of Cory waiting for him to show up to no avail. No, if Juniper wasn't going to attend this Saturday, he should at least send notice.
Juniper touched the leaf with a finger, imagining how long Cory must have spent drawing it. Was it possible that Cory had thought of Juniper as often as Juniper had thought of Cory?
If Cory was genuinely offering a time three days from now, Juniper was inclined to trust it.
((OOC: I think this would be a good time for Cory to set up how he wants the next scene to start? Where does he meet Juniper when he arrives?))
Continued in Cory's Art Studio