Page 18 of Beck

Okay, he had work to do on getting over the feeling of being watched, but he could do it. He’d already decided to find a new therapist to talk it over with. One step at a time, he was doing. And so far, it was working.

Settling at the table, he got to work, wanting to crank out some ideas for Life in Ink to prove hiring him wasn’t a mistake.

When a knock came, he lifted his head, groaning at the crick in his neck. “Yeah?”

The door opened, and Ethan popped his head in, grinning. “How’re you doing?” he asked, coming further into the room.

Kole stood, dragging his best friend into a hug. “I’m good. How are you?”

“Awesome! I’m so glad you’re here.” He wandered over to Kole’s desk. “Wow. You’ve been busy.” He flicked through the strewn pages. “These are amazing.”

Kole flushed at the compliment. “They’re okay. Some need some tweaking, but they’re not bad.”

“Let’s take these to Ani. We can put them up on the wall now, and people can start looking through them.”

“Oh, I don’t think they’re ready for that yet.”

“They are. Trust me.”

Knowing he wouldn’t dissuade him, Kole shrugged, and Ethan grabbed a few and gestured for Kole to follow him.

“I know you’re scared, but thesearegreat, Kole. I wouldn’t tell you they were if they weren’t. I respect you too much for that.”

Kole didn’t reply, knowing it was true. Best friends didn’t coddle each other. It didn’t mean he wasn’t scared. But, if he’d managed it at the Bonser event, he could do it here.

“Where shall we put these, Ani?” Ethan asked when they entered reception.

Ani flicked through them, a smile creeping across her face. “These are great, Kole. Let’s put two here, and then these three over with the others.”

She bustled around, clipping the pages into the frames already set up on the wall. Seeing his designs next to the others was a mind-exploding image.

“Now, anyone who comes in can either buy this design, or request something similar, and you can work with them to design it how they want it.”

Kole exhaled. “This is…” He shook his head, unable to explain.

Ethan slid an arm around his shoulder. “I know, but how cool is this, eh?”

Kole chuckled, and finally, some of the weight on his shoulders lifted. “It is cool, yes.”

He studied his work amongst the other artists—Joey, Beck, Dallas and Finn—and almost couldn’t believe where he was. He’d dreamt of being an artist for years but decided it wasn’t for him when his work was heavily criticised throughout school. He wasn’t cut out for the cutthroat business that it was. But here, he felt like his work mattered. That he had something to say in his designs. That others wanted to listen to. It was a little overwhelming.

“How are you finding the apartment?” Ethan asked, dropping into a chair and crossing his legs. His phone was already in his hand, something he was rarely without lately. But keeping track of Life in Ink’s schedule was a full-time job in itself.

Kole settled beside him, linking his fingers on his lap. “I like it. How you managed to find something that had even the briefest of views of the river was incredible.”

Ethan grinned. “Joey has connections, that’s for sure. I’m glad you like it. I want you to be happy here.”

“You just don’t want me to go back home and leave you to fend for yourself amongst this lot,” Kole joked, waving his hand to the ceiling.

“I’m not denying that, but I’m also adding that I love having my best friend around.” He leant forward. “Are you up for anight out tonight? Just dinner and a few drinks to welcome you?”

He hesitated, but he wanted to spend time with everyone instead of hiding away at home, so he nodded. “Sure. Where are we going?” He snorted. “Not that I would have one clue if you told me.”

“Actually, we’re heading to that restaurant we went to when you came last time. Not the Bonser event, I mean.”

“Oh, that Indian place?” Ethan nodded. “The food was nice there.”

“We have a reservation for seven o’clock. Is that enough time?”

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