Lean On Me

Chapter Eight

 

Author's Note: Artist's Cafe is an actual place in Pittsburgh, PA. I do not know the actual names of the staff or the food/desserts they serve.

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Justin looked at the name of the restaurant as Brian pulled into the parking lot. He smiled at the name. Artist's Cafe. Looking at Brian, Justin said, "I've never been here before."

"That's good. I wasn't sure if you had or not. But you told me last night that you love to draw, so I thought you'd enjoy this place."

Justin smiled, thinking about how sweet Brian was. "C'mon, then," Brian said as he parked the car. Justin eagerly exited the jeep and waited for Brian to make it to his side. As they were walking toward the cafe, Justin decided to take a chance. He grabbed Brian's right hand with his left and interlocked their fingers. He felt Brian tense a little, then relax. Brian glanced at Justin with an unreadable expression.

Thoughts were rolling around in Brian's head. After just meeting the blond, he was breaking all of his rules for him. Taking him on a date, holding his hand. Brian didn't know what was happening, but he couldn't stop himself. And, on one hand he wasn't sure he wanted to. But, on the other hand, he was scared. Giving his head a small shake, when they reached the cafe's doors, he decided to try and just go with the flow. At least for this one night.

They entered the cafe and Justin looked around in awe. There were pieces of art hanging everywhere, with a sign declaring that they were all by local artists. There was music playing lightly in the background. The atmosphere was homey. Justin instantly fell in love with the place. Turning his head to look at Brian, he gave a sunshine smile. He couldn't help his actions. He leaned up and gave Brian a brief, but passionate, kiss on the lips. No one in the cafe even seemed to bat an eye.

There was a sign that said SEAT YOURSELF, so Brian and Justin did just that. They found a small table in a corner in the back of the cafe, and sat down across from each other. A waitress, who's nametag read Christy, greeted them with a friendly smile. "Hi, I'm Christy and I'll be your waitress tonight. Do you guys know what you'd like to drink?"

"Um, coke for me, please," replied Justin.

"I'll have coffee," added Brian.

"Alright, I'll be right back with those."

True to her word, the waitress returned a couple of minutes later. After setting the drinks down in front of the respective recipients, she pulled out a pen and notepad. "Are you gentlemen ready to order?"

They both closed their menus and nodded. Brian ordered first. "I'll take a small garden salad with Fat Free French on the side. And, a turkey on rye bread. No mayonnaise."

"And you?" Christy asked, looking at Justin.

"A chesseburger and fries, please."

Christy took their menus and said, "Your food will be out in a few minutes."

Brian watched Justin as the blond looked at the artwork on the wall beside their table. He couldn't help the soft smile that spread across his lips. "These pieces are wonderful," Justin said in awe.

"Why don't you draw something? That's what the stack of paper on the side of the table if for. Looking down at the table, Justin noticed for the first time a few sheets of paper and three pencils. Justin bit his lip, not able to resist. He picked up a pencil and a sheet of paper. Within a minute, he was focused on his sketching. So focused, in fact, that he didn't even notice when the waitress arrived with their food. Christy set the plates down and smiled at Justin's bent head. She'd seen numerous artists get so focused on what they were doing that they had no idea what was going on around them. Brian nodded his thanks to her.

"Justin." After a minute, he gently touched Justin's shoulder to get his attention. He didn't want the food to get cold.

Justin's head jerked up. Realizing that he had been out of it, Justin's face turned red in a blush. 'Damn, that's sexy!' Brian silently thought.

"You ready to eat?" Brian asked.

As if on cue, Justin's stomach rumbled causing his blush to deepen.

"I'll take that as a yes," Brian replied with a smirk.

Justin set his art aside, getting ready to dig into his cheeseburger. "Do you mind?" Brian asked with a nod at Justin's drawing.

Justin hesitated. He rarely ever let anyone see his drawings, even his siblings. "Go ahead."

Brian picked up the drawing and looked at it. He was staring into his own face. It was so life-like. "This is great, Sunshine," he said.

"Thanks," Justin replied shyly.

Brian gently set the drawing down and they continued eating as they talked.

Before they knew it, they were finished eating and Christy was at their table. "Will there be anything else?"

Even though Justin didn't say anything, Brian had caught the longing glances that the younger man had thrown at the picture of the Chocolate Fudge cake, topped with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. He'd have to stay at the gym longer, in the morning, to work off the calories. But... what the hell? "We'll take one of those," Brian said pointing at the picture. "With two forks."

Within an hour, they were done eating the cake and were waiting on the check. As soon as Christy laid the check on the table, Brian picked it up and handed her his credit card. A minute later she was back with the slip for him to sign. Before they left the table, she spoke to Justin. "Do you mind if I hang this on the wall?"

"You should let her, Justin."

Justin looked at Brian. "You just want to know that your face is hanging somewhere."

Brian just smirked.

Justin nodded. "Go ahead."

"Will you sign it?"

Justin grabbed a pencil and quickly signed his name. Justin Taylor.

Christy smiled. "Hope you guys enjoyed Artist's Cafe. Hope to see you, again."

"You will," replied Brian before he grabbed Justin's hand and led him outside.

When they were back in the jeep, Justin looked at Brian. "I had a great time. That place was great." Before Brian could reply, Justin leaned over and touched Brian's lips with his. Brian teased Justin's lips with his tongue until Justin opened his mouth and granted him access. Their tongues intertwined, tasting each other. When they had to pull apart to breathe, they looked at each other. In that moment, they reached a mutual decision. Brian started the jeep and headed toward his loft.
 

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