Page 81 of You, As You Are

“The tattoo sleeve does give Freddy an edge on the intimidation front.”

As they started to bicker, Maisie caught sight of Iain’s frame moving in the front windows. “Okay! Guys, I have a request for my favourite gallery framer before I forget.”

Her friends looked at her oddly, Freddy the most. “Okay?”

“If I send you some measurements, could you make a frame for me?” she asked. “It’s only small, but I’d rather something unique than shop bought.” What was the point of having creative friends if she couldn’t make use of their talents from time to time? Especially when one of those friends was a framer for one of London’s most famous art museums.

“Sure, what’s it for?” Freddy preened.

“A painting that my grandad did.”

“Shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Great. Thank you.”

Faye bolted up straight. “Oh look, Iain’s back.”

“The guy?” Freddy moved like he’d be able to see. “Let me?—”

“Okaygottogoweloveyou.” Maisie grabbed the phone and smashed her thumbs to the screen.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

IAIN

Maisie Moss

I’ll meet you in reception. 10 Minutes

Iain Howell

Already here.

Iain tapped his foot,waiting. Sat in a black, cracked leather chair in the reception of their hotel for the night.Separaterooms, thankfully.

He hadn’t packed for a night out, and in truth he felt ten years too old for one, which explained why his attire consisted of a chequered grey fleece, boring brown jumper, and black jeans. Granted, he edged closer to thirty-six each day, but his mundane life of introversion made him feel double that. His body clock protested to not being spread out on his sofa with Ted snoring between his legs right now.

Long gone were his partying days. One of the first things he’d done when he’d moved out of the farm was drown in his new freedom: clubs, women, late nights, and later mornings. Doing all the things he’d been chained to stay away from.

He’d forgotten what it was like to be young, excited by simple things. Which is why he’d said yes to stepping out tonight. That, and how he didn’t want Maisie travelling between their hotel and wherever her friends were taking them by herself. Being with her was better than sitting alone in his hotel room all evening. Besides, he wanted to know the people that Maisie so desperately wanted to get home to. If he did, then maybe he could understand why she wanted to leave the ocean that was on her doorstep for sky rises and smoggy air.

His phone buzzed with an update from Malc.

Malc

Ted has been fed, watered and walked. Sleeping on my wife’s fancy cushions (I’ve been wanting rid of them for years, so I’m leaving him be). No need to worry. Enjoy your night.

Malc even attached a photo of Ted’s wiry brown and grey body sprawled out across the fancy cushions. Iain fired off a quick ‘thank you’in response.

Adingannounced the arrival of the lift before the metallic doors scraped open. Maisie peeked out, scanning the lobby for him as she revealed herself.

If air was essential, then it was only a concept to Iain’s lungs. He didn’t know how he’d convinced his brain to believe that this woman right in front of him wasn’t what he wanted in his life. His chest filled as he watched her worriedly search for him in every corner. The full feeling wasn’t new – he’d felt it before in small increments, but never as strongly as this.

And he didn’t try to force it away.

It’ll pass,he kept on telling himself.It’ll pass.

The seconds Iain had in his hidden corner of the reception, seated between a fake potted tree and a wall-height glasswindow, weren’t long enough. Their gazes caught and he stood, drawn to Maisie’s red-lipped smile like a dog to a fucking bone.

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