Page 5 of Built to Last
Dad started Blackwell’s in his early twenties, then Eric and I came along a few years later. I think he quietly hoped we would both want to work with him once we got older but hewas supportive when Eric’s interests skewed towards the design of a building rather than the actual building part. I, on the other hand, had always wanted to work with my dad and started learning the ropes from a young age. That was how I discovered my love of carpentry that, luckily, was a complementary skill to everything else Dad taught me over the years. He handed the reins to Blackwell’s over a little earlier than expected after a fall from a ladder a few years ago forced him into early retirement.
I’ve been doing my best to honour his vision for the business while incorporating my love of woodworking by offering custom furniture and fixtures. At thirty-two I might notice the lack of a partner in my life more than I used to, but the business and my family come first. I need to be grateful for what I have instead of wishing for more.
The rest of my morning is eaten up by spending a couple of hours in my workshop, making a start on a custom blanket box with a woodland theme. When twelve o’clock comes around I quickly change into dark-wash jeans and a Henley then tug on my nicer boots ready to head out. While lunch at my parent’s is mandatory, it’s not a formal affair—but I’m still not going to show up in my scruffy work clothes.
The worst of the cold is yet to come, but there’s still a bite to the early autumn air, so I grab a jacket from the hook by the door before leaving. Hopefully my lunch plans will turn out better than my run.
Chapter Three
Rose
“Thanks again for agreeing to this.”Aria smiles at me gratefully, buttoning up her tan coat as we get ready to leave for our meeting with the set builder at Snug.
“It’s fine, seriously. Maybe this is exactly what I need to get back into painting. Something completely different from my usual work where I’m not putting a ton of pressure on myself like you said. Well,somepressure because I don’t want your set to suck, but you know what I mean.” I wave a hand like I might somehow pull the right words to articulate my point out of thin air. Luckily I don’t have to perform such a feat because my best friend just gets me.
“I understand and I hope trying something different helps. Either way I owe yousobig for this.”
I feel underprepared and don’t really know what I’m doing but Aria assured me multiple times that the guy she hired will be able to handle all the actual building stuff on his own. At least the meeting is at my favourite coffee shop.
As soon as we walk through the door Violet greets us cheerily from where she’s wiping down a table. “Girls! Lovely to see you again so soon. Is everything alright now?” When I’d paid on Sunday I explained to Violet why Aria left in such a hurry, sincewe always say goodbye or at least offer a quick wave when we leave. It’s sweet of her to check in to see how it all turned out.
“We’re all good,” I answer. “Aria’s roped me into designing the set for her new show. How’s your day so far?”
“Better now the morning rush is over.” She claps her hands together. “But tell me more about this set. This is for the show you told me about?”
“Yes, Rose is saving my skin and stepping in last-minute since the original designer dropped out. We’re actually here to meet the guy who’s going to build it.”
“How exciting! Would you like me to whip up your usuals now or are you waiting for him to arrive?”
“We’ll wait, thanks,” Aria replies. “Excuse me for a minute, I need to use the ladies.”
Violet nods then waits for her to be out of earshot before asking, “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”Am I?Probably not, but it’s been so long since I’ve created anything and I miss painting.
My art is the final missing piece I need to recover to finish putting myself back together after the break-up. Malcolm might be out of my life, but I still hear his criticism whenever I try to draft new concepts on my tablet, never mind when I think about actually painting. Over the year we spent together he did a lot to knock my confidence, starting small until I’d been broken down to almost nothing before realising the mess I’d got myself into. He had never taken my work seriously even though it was my main source of income, something not every artist was lucky enough to manage.
It took a long time for me to realise that his behaviour was never even really about me. Malcolm is the kind of person who needs to put others down to make himself feel better, which meant none of my achievements would have ever been enough in his eyes. The revelation that his opinion only mattered if Iallowed it to had been freeing. Yet I’m still struggling to rekindle my creative spark. Doing this set design project for Aria could turn out to be exactly what I need to change that.
Violet clears her throat and I realise I’ve taken too long to respond.
“Yeah.” I clear my throat. “Yes, I think it will be good for me to try something new.”
“Alright then.” She smiles, nodding approvingly. Another customer wanders up to the counter, sending Violet rushing back to work now she knows I’m not being pressured into something I’m not comfortable with. Bolstered by her approval, I move away from the door and take a seat in our usual spot.
Just as I’m about to start playing around on my phone while I wait for Aria to get back, the little bell over the coffee shop door rings capturing my attention.
Oh shit.
The world seems to slow down around me. Chatter from the other customers fades into the background, the rapid pounding of my heartbeat all I can hear, as my focus narrows down onto someone I didn’t think I would see again stepping across the threshold of my cosy sanctuary.
Gripping my bag tighter to my chest, I close my eyes and force out a slow breath, praying someone else will be standing there when I reopen them. My nerves over this meeting must have my mind playing tricks on me because there is no wayhecan be here right now. Reopening my eyes I’m once again hit by the sight of the same handsome face, no mind-tricks at play.Why?
I’ve never seen this man before and now two run-ins so close together,seriously? I slide lower in my chair, ducking my head and praying he doesn’t notice me.Please be here for a take away drink. I cannot cope with the residual embarrassment of Saturday night encroaching on the sanctity of my favouritecoffee shop. If I have to do this meeting knowing he’s somewhere in the room and could spot me at any time the stress may kill me.
The man I’ve dubbed mint-choc-chip-guy in my mind turns his head, looking around as if he’s meeting someone, and I hide behind the curtain of my hair, pretending to focus intently on my phone. A bright smile lights up his face when he spots whoever he’s looking for and dammit if he’s not just as attractive as I remembered. Aria steps out of the short corridor leading back into the main seating area at the same time and I watch with mounting horror when, instead of walking back to our table, she heads right for him and offers her hand for him to shake.No.
“Fuck,” I whisper involuntarily, staring as they approach our table. Biting back a hysterical bubble of laughter, I curse my past self. This cannotbe happening, and yet, it is. For a split-second, I debate making a run for it before realising how ridiculous that would be. Plus, I have a strong policy against running anywhere unless my life is in immediate danger. While this morning has turned into an absolute horror show, I doubt an axe-murderer is about to start chasing me down. Although, at this point, I’d rather take my chances with that than face mint-choc-chip-guy again, let aloneworkwith him.
This is for Aria.Unable to put it off any longer, I take a deep breath, straighten up, and paste on a smile, ready to face my doom.
