Page 80 of Tilly in Technicolor

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I snap a picture of the large poster at the start of the exhibitthat details the immersive color and pigment experience, then send it to Marcus.

sorry but I’ve officially replaced you as my best friend

Marcus’s reply is almost instant.

This is a lovely message to get after you’ve ghosted me most of the summer

Who’s the poor soul?

I grin at my screen. Marcus really is my best mate. I can disappear into my own world for weeks then text him out of the blue and we pick up right where we left off. He never makes me feel bad when I take days to respond to him or breaks from communication altogether.

“Come here,” I say to Tilly, wrapping my arm around her shoulders.

Holding my phone out, she blinks in surprise for a second before breaking out into a giant smile right as I take a picture. She turns, smashing her face against my cheek with a kiss. I make sure to capture that moment, too.

I send them to Marcus.

This is Tilly.

I follow it up with a second message.

I’m fairly certain she’s my girlfriend

A call from Marcus rings through and I hitdecline,then receive about four thousand texts in a group message with him and Micah.

Micah

OLIVER

Micah

OLIVER!!!!!!

Micah

YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND???

Marcus

you wanker

Marcus

how have you not told us sooner?

Micah

OLIVER OH MY GOD

Micah

I’m going to pass out this is incredible

Marcus

isn’t she your boss’s sister?

Micah

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