“Thanks, but that’s from you. I was thinking that I’d like to give her something personal from me.”

I selected a piece of textured, clear glass and held it up to the light.

I sat down at my table with the pattern and began to trace out the different sized rectangular shapes I would need while Ryan was still digging in the boxes of clothes. I grabbed my glass cutter and began to cut along the lines I traced.

“That looks like fun. Can I try?” he asked hesitantly, but I could hear the desire in his voice. I couldn’t help but grin at him. None of my past boyfriends ever took an interest into watching me work – Ryan was a first.

“Sure! Have a seat.” I held his hand on top of the cutter and guided his hand until he had a feel for the amount of pressure he needed to apply.

“How am I doing?” he asked, concentrated on cutting the glass.

“You’re doing great! Just cut it past the line a little further so that the creases overlap, that will make for a cleaner break.”

“Job well done, Mr. Christensen!” I complemented him when he finished. “Next step, the grinder.”

“Ooh... the grinder,” he said with a low, sexy voice. “Kind of sounds like what you did to me last night!”

“Maybe if you ask nicely I’ll do the same to you later tonight.” I gave the front of his sweatpants a little toss.

“You are my most favorite person in the whole wide world. You know that, right?”

“Here put these safety goggles on!” I giggled. “Pieces of glass will fly all over; you have to protect your eyes.”

“This is just like high school shop class,” he chuckled, slipping the less than attractive glasses on his face.

I turned the grinder on and this time he stayed behind me with his hand on top of mine, gliding each piece around the bit until it was smooth.

I was trying my best to concentrate on smoothing the sharp edges of the glass in my hand, but he was making it quite difficult with his lips so close to my ear.

I stopped after grinding a few pieces. “You want to give it a try on your own?”

“You trust me with your power tools?”

“It’s either the grinder or foiling the edges.” I pointed. “Take your pick.”

“Man!” He patted his chest. “Man use power tool. Man get more coffee first.” He turned the machine off. “Woman want more coffee too?”

“Woman get man breakfast,” I laughed, grabbing the back of his sweats to expose his bare bottom.

I took a bite of my bagel and watched as he stood at the grinder.

“Are you having fun over there?” I asked.

He looked back at me and smiled. “Yeah, I am! This is pretty cool! I’m in the zone!”

Once all the pieces were foiled, I laid out the pattern and handed him the flux.

Have you ever soldered before?” I asked.

“Yeah, but not like that.” He nodded at my work.

“Here, like this.” I showed him what I needed him to do. I started soldering the pieces together.

“Give it a try.” I let him have my seat. Surprisingly he did a great job. Within two hours our work of art was complete.

He held the frame up towards the light. “My mom’s going to love this!”

I walked off to the bedroom to get changed, since Jason would be delivering Ryan’s bags soon and I was barely dressed. I slipped on a pair of jeans, layered on another shirt, and headed back to the living room.

Ryan was leaning on the wall by the front windows with a cup of coffee in his hand, peering down to the street. His face was troubled again.

I stepped next to him to see what he was looking at, but he blocked me with his chest.

“Don’t,” he murmured. “No sense in both of us being upset.”

I looked him in the eyes; my expression pleading, hoping he’d explain further. His lips pursed together and he muttered one word. “Fans.”

“How many?”

“Lots.”

I took his free hand in mine. “Come on, I’ll make you some lunch.” I led him to the kitchen.

I made sandwiches and we sat quietly at the little wooden kitchen table. I knew he was completely absorbed in thinking about the crowd outside.

He wore his emotions on his sleeve and they were easy to read. He barely ate anything.

“What is it about the fans that upsets you so much?” I rubbed the top of his hand.

He looked away in disgust. He spent almost a whole minute shaking his head, breathing hard, and rubbing his hand across his forehead. Finally he looked me in the eyes.