Page 16 of Built to Last
“So glad I could help,” I reply drily. Admittedly, I’ll probably be able to laugh about the whole thing eventually but right now it’s still too fresh.
“Sorry, I’m done.” Lifting her hands in surrender she settles back into her seat. “And I’m sorry for unintentionally ambushing you with someone you hoped you’d never run into again, but Iamproud of you for standing up for yourself even if it did kind of backfire. Thank God he didn’t refuse to work with you. There’s no way I could have found another new artist on such short notice.”
I pin her with alook. “Really? That’s your take away here?”
“Sorry,” she replies sheepishly. “He’s really being cool about it then? You don’t need help smoothing things over?”
“You know at first, I thought he was only playing nice because he really wanted the job, but now I think he’s actually just unbothered by it.” I cross my arms. “It’s kind of weird.”
“Only you would find someone being forgiving suspicious.”
I raise an incredulous brow at her. “Can you blame me?”
“Rose,” she begins softly, gently taking my hand in hers. “I know Malcolm was a manipulative shit, it’s completely understandable that you’re exercising a little extra caution, but not every guy is out to mess with your head.”
“I know.” I sigh.
“Phillip sounds like a good guy. Genuine. Solid. And he gets bonus points for not spilling your supermarket secret at our meeting. It couldn’t hurt to get to know him a little better while you’re working together.” Aria shrugs and I stare back, mouth agape. Is she joking?
“I’m just glad we’ve landed on good terms after how we met. Today was fun but hoping for anything more than a pleasant working relationship is pushing it.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. He seemed pretty taken with you on Monday and inviting you to shadow him for the whole building process isabsolutelyan excuse to spend more time with you.” She smirks knowingly.
“As my boss, isn’t it inappropriate for you to encourage me to pursue a co-worker?”
“Technically, yes. But we were friends before I became your boss so it doesn’t count. Also, you’re only working together for a few weeks, then it’s a non-issue.”
“It’s already a non-issue because it’s not happening,” I snap. Her smile falls and I instantly feel guilty for taking my frustration out on the one person who’s been there for me through everything. “I’m just not sure I’m ready yet,” I explain softly.
“Alright, but you have to put yourself back out there eventually. You can’t hide forever.”
She has a point—one she’s been bringing up more often recently but, despite being a little pissed off to learn Malcolmalready has a new girlfriend, I’m not ready to start dating again. With my long, honey-blonde waves, green eyes and fair skin that stays on the right side of pale unless I have a flare-up, I’m what a lot of people consider to be conventionally attractive. But Malcolm knocked my confidence in a way that’s more than just skin-deep. It started with little things that I let slide, not wanting to cause a problem, but months into our relationship I looked up and barely recognised the person I’d become.
After a lot of soul-searching, I can see Malcolm for the narcissist he really is. But that doesn’t mean I’m willing to risk falling into that trap again. Focusing on getting my painting career back on track is the most important thing right now. Dating can wait.
“It’s just not a good time.” I shake my head. “Besides I really don’t think Phillip’s interested, he’s just being friendly.”
“OK. Just be open to the possibility, that’s all I’m saying.”
“Fine. I’ll keep an open mind but I’m telling you, you’re wrong.”
Aria drops it after that, even though I can tell she wants to keep pushing. Maybe once I find my footing with my art again, I’ll give dating another try. Right now, it’s too risky. I can’t say Malcolm broke my heart, but he did his best to break my spirit. That’s been hard enough to come back from. If I put my trust in someone else, only for them to treat me the same way? I’m not sure I’d ever fully recover.
Chapter Nine
Phillip
Me:
Hey, I just picked up the panels and everything looks good. You ready to start work tomorrow morning? 9am?
Rose:
9 sounds good. Do I need to bring anything other than the design?
Just the design is fine for now.
Oh, and wear stuff you don’t mind getting messy. It’ll get dusty once we start cutting the panels.
