Page 74 of The Situation Ship
“I’m sad to say I haven’t been to the gallery,” Poppy admitted, “but Isaiah knows the owner. I’m sure he would be excited to see your work.”
“No, no, I’m just dreaming out loud. Isaiah has already done so much for us,” Phoebe said admiringly. Poppy wanted to know their story; clearly, he was a very dear friend to them.
“Lunch?” Axel asked, changing the subject. Poppy guessed he didn’t want his friend to feel put on the spot. “Our favourite restaurant is only around the corner.”
“We aren’t taking no for an answer, and I want to hear everything about your trip,” Phoebe added, looking between them as she packed her supplies.
“Lunch sounds great. I’m starving,” Poppy said, giving in to her infectious friendship.
“Lead the way,” Isaiah told Axel, who helped Phoebe carry her supplies. Poppy noticed the artist was wearing a thin supportive sleeve on her wrist and instinctively picked up her light stool. Phoebe smiled at her in acknowledgement and grabbed her toolbox, filled with small paint pots and brushes. It was only a short walk through a narrow alley to get to the little corner restaurant.
As the greeter welcomed Phoebe and Axel with a warm embrace, it was clear they were regulars. The greeter kindly offered to stow Phoebe’s art supplies before leading them to a table beneath a blossoming tree that Poppy couldn’t identify. The shade of the tree and the surrounding blooming flowers created a cosy, private corner for them.
“Are you dating?” Phoebe asked abruptly, once the waiter had dropped off a jug of water topped with various fruits.
Poppy choked on her water, taken off guard.
“Sorry, was that rude? He pulled out the chair for you and ensured you got the seat in the shade. Isaiah is a sucker for acts of service.”
Isaiah glared at Phoebe, but Poppy noticed she obviously didn’t care.
“Are you sure you aren’t the detective?” he growled.
Phoebe rolled her eyes.“What? You’re usually all business, and I want to know more about how the gorgeous and talented Princess of Pop managed to tame the great Detective Rivers. For that, I commend you.” Phoebe winked at her.
Poppy didn’t know what to say. She didn’t want Isaiah to feel uncomfortable, but she enjoyed them digging him out. It was nice to see a different side of him.
“You benefited from my workaholic tendencies,” Isaiah scolded Phoebe as he filled Poppy’s glass in an automatic gesture. Axel laughed as Isaiah evidently realised he had just reinforced Phoebe’s earlier point. Poppy concealed her amusement behind her menu, and he squeezed her thigh beneath the table.
“How do you know each other?” Poppy asked, trying to get the topic off them and their bodyguard-turned-lover situationship.
The table fell into an uncomfortable silence, and Poppy immediately regretted her attempt to change the subject.
“It’s a long story,” Isaiah said, respecting their privacy. Poppy suddenly remembered something about a dead fiancé and a murder investigation. She recalled the news articles and the public scrutiny they had faced. It had been a difficult time for them, and she could see the pain in their eyes as they remembered it.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.” Poppy decided to focus on her menu. “The linguine sounds tasty!”
“Don’t be sorry. It’s not like all the details aren’t already out in the world. Isaiah and Axel are just protective of me.” Phoebe smiled sadly. “Isaiah helped us with a case. It’s not the bestmealtime story, but he ensured the person trying to hurt us was put away for a long time.”
Axel picked a fallen petal from Phoebe’s hair, and Poppy could see the worry in his eyes, but they both looked at Isaiah with genuine respect.
She reached for his hand under the table and held it on her lap. Having him by her side helped her breathe a little easier. If he’d kept them safe, then there was hope for her.
“I’m glad he was able to help you, and I’m sorry about what you had to go through,” she told them.
“You mentioned you were renovating the villa? I thought you were supposed to work on another album?” Isaiah asked Axel, who had rested a protective arm around the back of Phoebe’s chair.
“August and Nick are working on the production, so I had some time. We thought we’d use it to renovate and sell the villa to put more funds in the arts centre back home,” Axel said.
“Phoebe opened an arts centre for those in the arts with disabilities,” Isaiah explained to Poppy.
“That’s incredible!”
“Our current plan is to buy the two buildings next to my art studio so we can expand. I can also put in a second floor and lifts to make sure it’s accessible for everyone,” Phoebe said, her excitement infectious. “We started with a small group, and I hate having to turn anyone away because we lack space and resources, so with the extra investment, we can give more people a place to come and express themselves freely.” She blushed. “Forgive me, I’m rambling. It’s a passion project, and I didn’t expect so much interest.”
“No, please don’t apologise. I love what you’re doing,” Poppy said, wanting to know more.
“I convinced her to get away from the villa and her phone. She’s so busy looking after everyone else that she forgets to come up for air,” Axel said, and Phoebe nudged him.
