Be Mine by Max Hudson

Author:Max Hudson [Hudson, Max]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-02-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Mark stood in the center of Tristan's incredibly posh apartment, turning around a few times to absorb the photographs that decorated the walls. There were large pieces of canvas sporting the magnificent wonders of the world with small photographs perfectly placed around them of other incredible sights: expansive oceans, tall towers, great castles, and a medley of diverse people.

“Wow,” he whispered. “You really have been everywhere.”

“I can't help it.”

“That's admirable.”

Tristan chuckled. “It's just in my nature. I want to keep traveling until my body can't do it anymore.”

“I bet you'll be traveling even on your death bed.”

“That's a rather dark place to go.”

Mark gestured to himself. “Who am I?”

The comment caused Tristan to laugh as he poured wine into two crystal glasses. He walked over to Mark and handed him a glass, raising his for a salute. “To our budding friendship.”

“May it be more than that.”

Grinning, Tristan clinked his glass against Mark's and sipped his wine while curiously allowing his eyes to wander down Mark's frame. Although Mark invited such a glance, it made him feel tense. That desirous gaze was overwhelming. Tristan—a mere stranger just a few days ago—had been more romantic and kinder in their brief time together than anyone had in his life. He felt compelled to lean in and kiss Tristan.

It was a quick kiss, an improvised gesture of affection that made him want to retreat. He felt conflicted. The other night had been so grand that he felt like more intimacy would be fine, but he didn't want to assume.

Nervously, he retreated to the wall where he could inspect the details of the photographs. “So, where are you going from here?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said you had only been working for the paper for six months, yet you seem to have a ton of connections around here.”

“Right, I suppose that would be slightly suspicious.”

“Only mildly.” Mark winked. “I'm just curious.”

“That's perfectly natural. Honestly, I've been in El Paso before. I didn't necessarily work here at that time, but I was living here.”

“What were you doing then?”

“Well, I...” Tristan trailed off as he went to the balcony door, peering out into the night through the glass. He looked distant; lost. But just as quickly as he had mentally left, he bounced back and turned to Mark with a smile. “It's really nothing.”

Mark stepped forward sympathetically. “I don't mind listening.”

“It's old news.”

“I understand.”

As Mark found a comfortable spot on the couch, Tristan crossed the room and leaned against the table positioned at the opposite wall, the one that boasted a medley of objects from other countries.

“It's just--” Tristan sighed before taking a deep breath. “I was here for someone—a guy I loved—and it just didn't work out.”

“I'm sorry to hear that.”

“He was really sweet, you know? I dropped everything in Georgia to come out here and join him. We were supposed to start a business together, a sort of blog, you could say, about photography and art in general.”

Mark frowned, feeling empathetic. “That sounds like a lot.

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