he’d never use. Then I thought maybe something comic book related, because he talks about all of them. I can’t even guess at what he’d like.”
Lines of concentration dug furrows across Lucien’s forehead. “Yeah, I noticed that. He said that I had the bearing of a young Nick Fury. Considering my only reference is the Avengers movies, I took it as a compliment.” Lucien shook his head like he was shaking off the thought. “Look, I’m sure he would love anything you’d get him.”
“Yeah, but I want it to be simple but special. Thoughtful. If it’s expensive, then it’s too overwhelming and heavy. If it’s just a random comic book, then it has no meaning. I want…” Baer drifted off, lifting his open hands in front of him as if he could pull the idea out of the air.
Wrapping his arm around Baer’s shoulders, Lucien laughed as he carefully turned the Animal Weaver in a new direction. “Oh, you are just pathetic. Too pathetic to even tease. It’s a good thing you’ve come out with Brother Lucien. He knows how to help you.”
Baer’s head popped up and he didn’t care if Lucien was making fun of him. If the man had a suggestion, then he’d grab it with both hands. “Really?”
“Yep.”
“Where are we going?”
“River Street.”
“You got a shop in mind there?”
Lucien nodded. “There are several touristy and local artist shops along River Street. If we luck out there, we’ll backtrack to Broughton Street, which will put us near the mechanic. At that point, we’ll swing through the Flying Monk for Peking duck, crispy pig, and noodles.”
Baer stared at him for a second in confusion. “How long have you been in town?”
“Not long, I swear. This town is made for walking, and I don’t like to sit still.”
A soft grunt left Baer and they settled into a comfortable, easy conversation about nothing at all. Though he had to admit—even if they found something at the very first shop, he was thinking they needed to stop at this Flying Monk place. Crispy pig and noodles sounded amazing.
The Fire Weaver was surprisingly easy to talk to. The man had traveled around a good chunk of the country, seeming to love exploring every inch of a city before moving on to something new.
What made him an even better companion was that he didn’t once complain about Baer’s endless wishy-washy attitude. What the hell was he going to get Wiley? He was beginning to think this was a stupid idea in the first place.
So, they’d had sex.
And Baer enjoyed spending time with him.
He was making a big deal out of it all, and that was going to put too much pressure on them both.
But Wiley was sweet, generous, and so funny. Baer wanted to give him something to show he appreciated him.
“Don’t give up,” Lucien said with a smile when Baer sighed as he walked out of their fifth shop. They were running out of River Street shops to stroll through and he still had nothing to show for his efforts. He had a couple of backup ideas, but nothing he was actually excited about.
“Thanks, but I’m pretty sure this wasn’t how you were planning to spend the day.”
Lucien shrugged, turning his face up to the sun. “I told Clay I’d start going through all the financial documents Flo dumped on him. But considering that shit has been on autopilot for the past thirty years, I figure it can wait a little while longer. This is more interesting.”
Baer groaned. “Thank fuck your background is in finance. Neither of us knows what to do with that shit, and Grey has all his stuff handled by an accountant.”
“No worries. I got it. It’s actually fun if you—”
Baer didn’t even hear the rest of what Lucien was saying because his heart was pounding too loud in his ears. He’d found it. The perfect gift for Wiley.
“This is it,” he breathed, in an almost awed tone.
They’d crossed the street to a pair of large wooden stalls run by some local artists. There was a collection of glass sculptures, and Baer had found a mountain lion perched on a real rock. The creature had been captured mid-pounce, its powerful body stretched. The artist had been able to carefully detail the cougar’s lean form and strong muscles in the glass.
No, it wasn’t some priceless piece of art, but it perfectly captured their first meeting when Baer had shifted into a mountain lion in the bakery. It would mean something to Wiley.