Opening his eyes, Jesse shrugged and said, “Uhm. Sometimes.”
Arthur nodded, pursing his lips.
“I’m not saying Ineverplayed outside, but it wasn’t as often as I would have liked. I was kept fairly busy, you see. Between school and practicing the cello and social events and family things, I... well, I found it hard to find time to play freely, especially once my parents made the choice to keep me home from boarding school.” Arthur chuckled softly to himself. “I say ‘choice,’ but, really, I forced their hand. I struggled with following the rules.” He looked over at Jesse with a smirk. “I really wasn’t too keen on them.”
Jesse’s stomach flip-flopped.
“Are you surprised?” Arthur said.
Jesse wasn’t surprised in the least. He silently shook his head.
Laughing, Arthur shoved his hands in his pockets. “I couldn’t help it. Still can’t, sometimes. Actually, I think being told that I should behave one way makes me want to behave in the exact opposite manner, though I typically manage to overcome those urges nowadays. I have to.”
Fondness unfurled in Jesse’s chest. Its warmth was so consuming that it helped Jesse realize he might not mind waiting outside in the cold for a while.
Jesse took hold of the sleeve of Arthur’s coat and tugged once.
“Come on,” he said, starting toward the door. “I know you’ll be happier out there.”
“Ah, butyou’llbe more miserable,” Arthur said, though he still followed.
“I won’t be,” Jesse promised, concentrating on the warmth in his chest.
Jesse stepped out first. He immediately had to fight back a shudder. But then, he turned to see Arthur’s ridiculous child-like grin, and the sensation faded a little.
Arthur opened his mouth wide and tilted his head back. And then, like the ridiculous person he was, he stuck out his tongue. Jesse rolled his eyes, though he wouldn’t try to pretend that he wasn’t enjoying Arthur’s continued... whatever this was. Watching Arthur Hughes catch snowflakes on his tongue, Jesse’s entire body began to hum and tingle from the overwhelming feelings oflike.
Finally, Arthur closed his mouth and spun in a little circle. Once he stopped, he caught Jesse’s eye and smiled.
“Thank you for suggesting that we come out here,” he said, his voice soft and filled with the utmost sweetness.
Jesse merely nodded, his body still vibrating and warm.
A carriage pulled to a stop a few feet away.
“Well, it looks like our fun has come to an end,” Arthur said, a tinge of sadness in his voice. He held out his hand for Jesse to take. “Thank you for the lesson, Jesse. Sincerely.”
Jesse’s mouth curled into a reluctant smile. “Anytime.”
Jesse clasped Arthur’s hand. Even through the thick fabric, the touch from their handshake sent a shiver up his spine. OnceArthur released Jesse’s hand, the man started toward the carriage but stopped to look over his shoulder before stepping inside.
“It was a pleasure to spend time with you, Mr. O’Connor. I hope to see you in the shop sometime soon. I’ll be sure to keep you abreast of the news regarding the fair, especially if it looks as though I’ll need your help with a presentation or two.”
Jesse nodded curtly. “Sounds good.”
Arthur stepped into the carriage, and Jesse started for home, now left to contend with the lingering unwanted feelings oflikeby himself.
After a few minutes of walking, Jesse reached the stop for the streetcar. Leaning against the post, he began to replay the meeting with Arthur in his head. Jesse could scarcely even believe how the lesson had unfolded, let alone make sense of it. In a matter of hours, Mr. Arthur Hughes, snobbish son of Warren Hughes, had become Arthur, a charming and playful man who was the textbook opposite of the word “reserved.” And Jesse O’Connor’s whole carefully constructed persona had proven to be as flimsy as a house of cards, a couple of Arthur’s sweet smiles and funny remarks toppling it completely.
Despite his efforts, it seemed that Jesse O’Connor was still Jesse Wolff, the boy who had fallen too fast and too hard for a member of Chicago’s elite, only to then have his heart shattered to pieces and be made to feel small.
History, it seemed, was repeating itself.
Closing his eyes, Jesse took a long breath and focused on the feel of wet snow peppering his face. No matter Arthur’s charms, Jesse couldn’t let himself surrender to this burgeoning crush.
But,oh God, how he wanted to.
Letting his mind linger on the beautiful, ridiculous man, Jesse imagined what it would be like to kiss him. Before he even realized what was happening, he opened his mouth.
