Drawn Together Read Online Free PDF

separate the artist from the art. For what it’s worth, I love your work. The cover for the latest Princess Celendrianna for example -- something about it just speaks to me.”
    “Thank you,” Yamane said in a quiet voice.
    “I guess that makes me your stalker du jour. In light of that, why on earth are you being so nice to me, of all people?”
    “Well. When you refused to leave, I…” Yamane didn’t have an answer to give. “I have no clue.”
    Rory sipped the last of his beer. “I know.” He grimaced. “I did think about it. I really couldn’t give those flowers to anyone else. It was a true epic quest -- in the literary sense --
    which I have now completed. Go, me!”
    “I see,” said Yamane, picking up his sketchbook and pen again. He caught the waiter as he passed and ordered two coffee drinks. “Dessert?”
    “No thank you, I’m fine.”
    “What about you?” asked Yamane. “Where do you work?”
    “I work -- or rather, I worked -- at the Ragin’ Cajun Bar and Grille, if you can believe it.”
    “Oh, yes.” Yamane snorted. “I believe it.”
    “Well, it is summer, after all.”
    “So you go to school then?”
    “Yes, sir, I’m getting my master’s in French lit. Ergo, my familiarity with the epic quest.”
    “Graduate school? You’re joking!” Yamane exclaimed, his drawing forgotten.
    20 Z. A. Maxfield
    Rory raised his eyebrows. “Is that your way of saying, ‘Run, Forrest, run’?” Yamane looked down. “It sounded like that, didn’t it?”
    “To paraphrase something that was said to me earlier today, ‘You thought I was a moron, didn’t you? I get that a lot.’”
    “I’m sorry,” Yamane told him.
    “You know what’s just nuts? Everything I wanted from you -- everything I imagined --
    has become reality.”
    Yamane laughed. “I didn’t think of it like that.” He continued to sketch. “Everything?”
    “Yeah…sort of. You’re even much more beautiful than I imagined. It’s just shocking.
    Someone ought to put a bell around your neck; I’m sure no woman is safe within fifty feet.” Yamane felt Rory’s eyes on him but didn’t look up.
    “There doesn’t seem to be anyone left here. I guess we can really clear a place out.
    They’re probably waiting for us to leave.”
    Yamane said, “Let them wait; I’m not done yet.” He was having a fine time, though he didn’t like to admit it. He closed his eyes. Maybe it was the alcohol, or Rory’s slow, unusual way of speaking that felt like a lullaby. He tried to remember the last time he felt safe. He could feel the warmth of Rory’s admiration like a living thing.
    Yamane flushed deeply. He would never be able to explain this to his agent. He realized Rory was talking and came back to himself. “What?” Yamane asked. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.”
    “I just said I’m getting fuzzy-headed. A walk might be good for my brain.”
    “Fine, then that’s what we’ll do.” Yamane closed his sketchbook, putting it and his pencil and pens back into his messenger bag. He drank the last of his coffee. They left the patio dining area through a little gate in the picket fence that surrounded it and meandered along the path by the sand.
    “I feel boneless.” Rory stretched his large body lazily. “I’m glad I don’t have to drive anywhere.”
    “It’s nice to stay in a hotel so well situated,” Yamane commented. “This is my first time coming to Anime Expo. I didn’t anticipate I’d enjoy it.”
    “Your bio said ‘the reclusive Ran Yamane travels to Expo at last.’ Are you really a recluse?” he asked as they came to the hotel’s circular stairway.
    “Probably.” Yamane walked a little ahead of Rory. “I’m not considered a socially successful person.”
    Yamane was almost halfway up already when Rory reached the stairs. “For a guy who’s been drinking you’re awfully light on your feet.” When he felt Rory just behind him, Yamane stopped and turned around. He looked down and saw Rory