Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 5

commander, but still giving him enough control over the project that he'd be able to showcase his art for a change.
    "Oh, and Mr. Aaronson," the woman—what was her name, Marjorie?—added after pausing only long enough to take a breath, "I've spoken to the director, and he's agreed that the body armor needs to showcase Len's attributes , if you know what I mean."
    "Of course." Ted knew exactly what she meant. Far be it from him to hide the muscular body which Lenny Golden had become known for. He could appreciate a thing of beauty as much as the next man—or woman, for that matter.
    CHAPTER 2
    Present…
    "…and if they know what's good for them," Marjorie droned on as the limo pulled up in front of the makeup area of the studio lot, "they'll have the food ready to go before you have to sit in that damn chair again. I can't believe they didn't have it ready before you started yesterday. I'll just have to—"
    "It's okay, Margie," Len interrupted with a yawn. "I'm not that hungry anyhow. I can wait until later." The limo driver opened the door for them. They had only gotten a few feet from the limo when Len stopped dead in his tracks. "Fuck."
    "What's the matter, Lenny?" Her look of concern was almost comical.
    "Forgot my iPod at the beach house. I was going to listen to some music while the makeup guy cast my face today."
    "The beach house?" She looked horrified. "I could pick you up a new one, if you'd like."
    He sighed. "I'd made up a playlist and everything. It was so goddamn boring the other day…." His voice trailed off and he wore a pained expression.
    "It's not a problem," she told him. "I'll have the driver take me back there."
    "Are you sure? That's going to be three hours roundtrip this time of day, with traffic."
    "Of course I'm sure. That's my job, right? Making sure you have what you need."
    "You're a sweetheart," he said, planting a kiss on her cheek. "I think I left it on the dining room table. The ear buds should be attached."
    "I'll be back as soon as I can," she said as she trotted off in the direction of the limo. "Make sure you get yourself something to eat, though. Can't have you starving all day, can we?"
    "I'll eat. Don't worry, Margie. I promise."
    He stood for a moment, watching until she climbed back into the limousine and it pulled away. He put his duffle bag down on a nearby bench, unzipped it and reached inside to recover the paper bag he'd hidden beneath his change of clothes. He zipped the bag again and headed toward the door to the makeup area.
    "Mr. Golden," the blond assistant said as she saw him enter, "Teddy's just finishing up. The food table's set up over there," she gestured to the far corner of the large room, "in case you're hungry."
    "Thanks. It's Tina, right?" She nodded, looking quite pleased that he'd remembered her name. "If you don't mind, maybe you can grab me an orange juice?"
    "Sure." She smiled at him as he walked over to the makeup chair.
    "Hello," Len said, catching Ted Aaronson's eye. Ted smiled up at him and gestured to the seat.
    "How does your body feel today?" Ted asked.
    Len couldn't help but notice the slight blush on the other man's cheeks. "My body feels pretty good, thanks."
    "Oh." Their eyes met and Ted blushed harder. "I meant, you know, skin rashes or that sort of thing."
    Len chuckled. "No rashes or anything," he said with a grin.
    "Ah… oh… that's good." Ted busied himself with some of the bottles as if trying to avoid Len's gaze.
    "Listen," Len said in a conspiratorial whisper, "I know there's a huge spread the studio ordered, but I was hoping maybe you'd have a little breakfast with me."
    Ted turned around and stared at Len. "You… what?"
    Len smiled and took the paper bag off the table. "I can't stand the crap they order for me." When Ted looked confused, Len pulled two bundles out of the bag, each wrapped in white food service paper. "I brought something better."
    "You… you brought breakfast? For me, too?" Ted's long, dark bangs fell into his eyes and Len fought the urge to brush back the silky hair.
    "Yeah." Len handed him one of the bundles.
    Ted hesitated for a split second, then took the offering, his fingers brushing against Len's. He gasped audibly. "I… thanks… that's…."
    "I hope you like bagels. I found this little place down the street from my beach house that makes them fresh every day. What do they say, 'You can take me out of New York, but you can't take the New York out of me'?"
    Ted unwrapped the sandwich and his