Page 106 of Fix Them Up
‘I thought the colour would look beautiful on you, and you could wear it today,’ he said. ‘It’s supposed to be warm, so you shouldn’t be cold.’
‘You know’ – I smirked – ‘you’re incredibly thoughtful underneath that resting bitch face.’
Liam grinned. ‘You’re going to get it now, Red.’
He threw me on the bed, tickling me so much that my chest hurt with laughter.
*
The train pulled into Manchester Piccadilly, and Liam grabbed my hand, speed-walking through the crowds. It was only a Thursday, but the station was packed. Outside, the weather was overcast, the odd ray of sun peeking through the clouds. I followed the natural flow of people, but Liam pulled me back. ‘We’re not going that way.Thatway is Piccadilly Gardens, and we do not want to go there.’ He laughed dryly. ‘Not the best impression of Manchester, trust me.’
Liam walked us over a bridge and past some tall buildings, all glass and steel. We followed the tramlines and took the back streets until we stood in front of a Grecian-inspired building with huge stone pillars. The sign read MANCHESTER ART GALLERY, and I was like a bottle of pop, shaken up.
Liam looked over at me, reading my reaction. ‘You said you liked London for the art galleries.’
‘When –’ I frowned, and then I realised it had been when we were standing in the social club kitchen, side by side, preparing sandwiches. It had been such an offhand comment – I hadn’t expected Liam to remember.
He bumped my shoulder. ‘You’ll have to go easy on me. I don’t know anything about this.’
I grinned. ‘I can show you.’
We pushed through the double doors to find a woman standing in the foyer. She had pink streaks running through her grey hair and wore a red plaid wrap skirt. Her ice-blue eyes were behind oversized red glasses. Suddenly, I felt incredibly uncool.
‘Olivia?’ Liam asked, extending his hand.
Olivia smiled and shook it. ‘Lovely to meet you. As I mentioned over email, you have the place to yourselves for two hours.’
Liam nodded. ‘Perfect.’
I turned to Liam, gaping. He scratched his head. ‘Well, the thing is… I booked out the gallery.’
‘You booked out the entire gallery.’
‘Yes.’
‘Liam.’ My heart began to race.
This was too much.
My feet were beginning to itch.
‘Can we have a minute before the tour?’ Liam asked.
‘Sure,’ Olivia said. ‘I’ll be in Gallery One.’
‘Hey’ – Liam turned my shoulders to face him once Olivia was out of earshot – ‘what’s up?’
‘This is too much. I – no one has ever done anything like this before.’
Liam shrugged. ‘Well, they should have.’
I squeaked. I couldn’t look anywhere at him. I couldn’t admitthat I’d never felt deserving of anything like this. I’d kept the men I’d dated an arm’s length because, ultimately, I was scared. I was scared I would get attached and they’d ruin me.
Liam was entirely capable of ruining me, I was realising now.
‘You’re spiralling.’ Liam lifted my chin to meet his stare. ‘Tell me what you’re thinking.’
I squeezed my eyelids together.
