Chapter 42

“What I want is the two of you to come to some sort of agreement so that you stop yelling at each other.” Dennis pulled away from Luca and sat down on their bed.

“We’re upsetting Dennis. I’ll agree to Dennis’s compromise if you agree to put a guard on that painting. I’ll even pay for it and it leaves when we do.”

“I don’t like it, but I’ll agree,” Alex said conceding.

“I don’t like it either but as long as Dennis’s good with it, then I am too.”

* * * *

They hung the painting they decided to call The Drowningjust before the opening of the show. Luca said, “The name is something special, for me it stands for when I found you and how I felt almost immediately afterwards. I was drowning too, drowning in your emerald eyes and in my love for you.” Luca’s eyes filled up remembering how he’d almost lost Dennis that night.

“I’m so glad it was you that night. I’m so happy that you found me,” Dennis said just before they left.

“I have joy because you exist.”