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“How are you feeling?”

Anton asked as we lay on his bed, me snuggled deeply in his arms.

“Like I’ve died and gone to heaven,”

I answered truthfully.

Anton snickered. “You’re an easy one to please.”

I leaned up. “There isn’t anything further from the truth. I never actually let a man fuck me, much less twice in one night. I didn’t even think that was possible without it hurting. No, you’re special. That’s what made this work.”

He smiled and kissed my head before pulling me close again.

We spent the weekend making love, and eating out, then coming back to his condo to make out and fuck again.

By the time Monday rolled around and Jim and Rodrick showed back up, we were both the very image of restored.

If Rodrick or Jim noticed we’d taken things to the next level, neither mentioned it. Besides the occasional look or brief brush of hands, we kept our newly-minted relationship between us.

Finally, at the end of week three, Jim declared we were as done as we could be until we had the performers on stage. “Live tweaks will be required, of course,”

he assured me, knowing I was the newbie, “but it’s good. Anton, I think you’ve got something to be proud of here. Your godfather should be pleased.”

‘Godfather?”

I asked. “As in, ‘I know it was you, Fredo, you broke my heart?’”

All three men chuckled. “Not exactly, although he’d have loved the reference. Enzo Rossi is my actual godfather and the man who raised me. He took me in when I was orphaned.”

I nodded. I’d read something about him losing his parents early in life, but Google didn’t provide the details.

“Enzo, your godfather, is the one funding the musical?”

Anton nodded. “Yes, or at least that’s what he requested we do for him. He knew I wanted to find a musical that supported gay men but told a real story, not a depressing one.”

“And you chose Alec in Wonderlust?”

He smiled. “We chose Alec in Wonderlust,”

he said, looking at Jim and Rodrick. “Enzo appointed all three of us to find and create the show. In fact, your professionalism was also something he wanted to see.”

“So, when do I get to meet Enzo?”

The men in front of me frowned and shook their heads. “Enzo is no longer with us. He passed away just over a year ago,”

Anton said. I could tell this was something Anton was still struggling with, by his creased forehead. “This is his legacy, though. His will stipulated that we were to find the perfect musical, write it, produce it, and take it to Broadway.”

“The old man even refused to have a funeral,”

Rodrick said, chuckling.

“My funeral can be opening night!”

Jim said, distorting his voice. I assumed to sound more like the man in question.

I nodded. “So, he’s the investor? I don’t get it. Why did you need to impress him then?”

Anton laughed out loud.

“Oh, Linc, you have no idea how anal-retentive he was.

There’s a whole committee we have to impress.

Jim, Rodrick, and I were appointed to find and develop a play that meets the committee’s approval. It’s not a given thing. We still have a lot of convincing to do.”

I nodded, finally understanding. “Well, if you need anything from me, just let me know.”

I snuggled with Anton that night and stuck around a few more days before returning to Nashville.

He didn’t discuss the play or the committee he had to meet with.

I didn’t want him to. This was our bonding time, and I just wanted to enjoy him.

“Hey, are you willing to come to Nashville, you know, when all this is over? I’d love to show you around.”

Anton smiled and nodded, but I could tell something was bothering him.

“Anton, are you about to dump me? ’Cause if so, I’d like to know before I get on that plane tomorrow.”

He chuckled.

“I like your southern directness, although it takes a bit of getting used to.

No, I don’t want this to end, but Linc, we’ve taken six shows to the committee, and they’ve rejected all of them out of hand.

It's doubtful they’ll take Alec in Wonderlust. I… well, I just wanted to be clear about that.”

I shook my head.

“Listen, Anton, I’m a songwriter.

Writing a musical was a long shot from the beginning, and honestly, I’m just beyond happy you were willing to give me a chance to work with you to create the best musical we could from the mess I initially sent you.”

He leaned over and kissed me.

“it’s truly been our pleasure, but it’s definitely been mine. I never wanted to get… quite so intimate with my other writers.”

I laughed out loud. “I should hope not, but, Anton, please, no matter what happens, come see me. My ass is going to miss you, and so… so will my heart.”

He smiled and leaned over to kiss me. “Oh, I’m sure all of me is going to miss all of you!”