Page 21 of Built to Last
We say our goodbyes and when I end the call the silence of the workshop feels… not uncomfortable, but heavy somehow. The tension dissipates when Phillip puts his music on and I’m able to take a full breath again.
Since I’m not helping with the cutting, I move my chair over to what is quickly becoming ‘my side’ of the room and settle in with my tablet and stylus at the ready. I may as well use this time to draft up some concept ideas to see if I can come up with anything worth painting. I’ll never get back to producing my own work unless Iput inthe work.
After a while, my attention drifts over to Phillip. Seeing him work, sleeves rolled up, humming along to the music, so confident in his abilities… It’s distracting. Every so often our eyes meet for a fraction of a second, but we’re both quick to look away and act like it never happened. At least it’s Friday. I’ll have plenty of time to get my head on straight over the weekend. Come Monday morning anyfeelingsI might have will be well and truly banished and I can go back to thinking of him like I would any other colleague. No distractions.
I decide to stop in at Snug to visit Violet on my way home. When I step inside, the cosy atmosphere instantly puts me at ease. It’s after five but Violet stays open later than most coffee shops to cater to the large number of students in Riverbend. Sure enough, there are a few individuals dotted around the coffee shop, settled in for the long-haul with their laptops and notebooks spread out before them.
It's too late in the day for me to have a coffee, so I order a hot chocolate then take a seat, pleased to find my usual spot is available. Violet wasn’t at the counter, but a few minutes later I spot her coming out from the back with a fresh box of napkins. A wide grin spreads across her face when she notices me and she immediately changes course to join me at my table.
“This is a lovely surprise. How are you doing?”
“I’m OK. Busy with this new project for Aria but we’re off to a good start. Have you been busy today?”
“We’re always busy, you know that, but that’s how I like it. I’d get into too much mischief if this place didn’t keep me occupied.” She winks. “I’m glad to hear the project’s going well. The young man you’re working with seems like he has a good head on his shoulders. He stopped by at the start of the week, he was very polite.”
“Yeah, he’s a good guy,” I admit. “Thank you for telling him my coffee order by the way.”
“And why was he getting you coffee so early on a Monday morning?” She wiggles her eyebrows and I chuckle.
“Not for anything as interesting as what you’re implying. We were meeting over at Bridgewater shopping park to get supplies and he was kind enough to bring coffee to help mitigate the pain of the early start, that’s all.”
“Well, that’s still a lovely gesture.”
“It was. Now enough about Phillip. Tell me what those grandchildren of yours have been getting up to this week.”
After a quick glance to check none of her customers need anything, Violet eagerly starts filling me in on all her family’s gossip.
Stepping out into the cool evening air I leave the happy glow of Snug behind and begin the short walk home. My heart feels lighter than it did before, catching up with Violet always lifts my spirits. Her earlier comments about Phillip niggle at theback of my mind now I’m no longer distracted by tales of her grandchildren and I sigh, annoyed that my plan to emotionally distance myself from Phillip is already failing.
Shaking off the irritation at myself, I walk faster. It doesn’t matter. I have a whole Phillip-free weekend ahead of me to get my head right. Who cares what Violet and Aria say? They’re not the ones stuck working with him. It’s in everyone’s best interest for me to put the project first and ignore the confusing feelings I’ve been having, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
Chapter Thirteen
Phillip
We’ve been makinggood progress so far this week, but Rose has been different since she arrived on Monday morning. It’s nothing major, but the ease we’d found in our interactions at the end of last week is gone and I’m determined to find out why.
We were getting along so well, even after I embarrassed myself while showing her the project plans. She was fine on Friday morning, encouraging me to get closer to her for the video call even though I’d been consciously making an effort to give her space. I noticed her breath hitch when my leg accidentally knocked against hers and couldn’t resist leaving it there to see what she would do. Even through our jeans, the innocent touch made me long for so much more. When she leaned into the contact instead of pulling away, I thought I might have a chance.
We worked separately all Friday afternoon but the silence was companionable. She caught me stealing a few glances at her but I noticed her watching me too, so didn’t think she’d mind. By that point I felt pretty confident Rose was interested in me, but now I’m not so sure. Is she worried about seeming unprofessional? Did something happen over the weekend that Idon’t know about? Whatever it is, I’m getting to the bottom of it today.
“I’m getting something to drink, do you want anything?”You.I scoff under my breath at how ridiculous I’m being. She’s just being nice, and here I am wishing for something I can’t have. On Rose’s first day here, I made sure to tell her she was welcome to make herself at home and I’m glad she’s taken that to heart.
“Coffee please. I’ll join you once I finish this last bit.” I wave a hand at the work I’ve been neglecting for the past few minutes. All four panels are cut now and I’ve been sanding down the edges. Rose offered to help but I could tell her back was bothering her. It didn’t take much to convince her I’m happy to handle it alone. Has the weird vibe been because she’s hurting?
As soon as the section I’ve been working on is done I head through to the kitchen. I’m still searching for the right way to broach the subject of the weird tension between us when Rose gasps, almost dropping the mugs she was reaching into one of the top cupboards for. Without thinking I swoop in behind her, catching them before they can fall.
My quick reflexes leave Rose sandwiched between the length of my body and the counter and my arms bracket her waist when I set the mugs down in front of her. Just as I’m about to step back and apologise for invading her personal spaceagain,Rose turns to face me and I lose the ability to move. The moment her jade eyes meet mine all of my non-essential functions go offline. Her soft breasts brush against my chest, heating my blood. Parts of me are getting ideas I absolutely should not be having right now, especially since we’ve not had a chance to talk yet. But knowing I should take a step back and actually doing so are two completely different things. The desire to stay right where I am only grows stronger when Rose’s tongue darts out to wet her lips.
“Thank you.” Her voice is breathier than usual but I can’t tell if the change was brought on by our closeness or her near-accident.
“No problem.” The moment stretches out between us until, finally, I find the willpower to force myself back a step, arms dropping to my sides. Rose takes half a step towards me, like she wants to erase the distance I’ve put between us, before quickly backtracking until her back hits the counter.
“Sorry, I don’t know why I—” She cuts herself off with a shake of her head before turning away from me. “I should finish making these,” she mumbles.
“Why don’t you go and sit down, I’ll make them.”
“I can do it.” Boldly, I place a gentle hand on her shoulder feeling some of the tension leave her body when I do.
