I finish up my work for the day, wash off the last of the ink and blood from the woman’s skin, and then start to wrap the artwork in cling-film. I glanced up to see tears running down her face.
“Hey, are you all right?”
She nods. “Yeah, it just means so much to me. I can’t thank you enough.”
I smile. “You’re welcome. I’m glad I was able to help.”
“You have. I can’t explain how much.”
We’re left clearing up.
“You okay, boss?” calls Rocco. “We’re heading out for a couple of beers, you want to join?”
“Nah, you’re all right. I’ve got stuff to do here.”
“Seriously? All work and no play, Art.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know, but someone’s got to keep this place together.” My seriousness comes across more than I intend, and Rocco’s face pinches in concern.
“Anything we can do to help?”
“Nah, just trouble with her upstairs.” I lift my eyes to the ceiling and then roll them, and the atmosphere relaxes.
Rocco chuckles. “She’s got you under the thumb already.”
“More like has his balls in a vice,” jokes Kane, who’s overheard. “But Art probably likes it like that.”
“At least someone’s paying attention to my balls,” I throw back. “Been a while since you last pulled, Kane.”
“I’m saving myself for the right girl,” he banters. “One that’s double jointed and bendy as fuck.”
I laugh. “Good luck with that. You might want to start checking out any local circus acts.”
He throws me a salute. “Will do, boss.”
“See you tomorrow.”
I watch the other two as they leave, the door shutting behind them. I envy them their simple lives. Maybe I should go back to that, and work for someone else. It would make life a lot easier, but then I wouldn’t be free to work on what I want. I enjoy being my own boss. Working for someone else would hurt. I’m not sure I could do it now, but I might not have any choice. Especially if Tess gets her way and increases the rent even more.
I keep a kettle and mugs in what we use as a staffroom out the back of the shop, so I make myself ramen noodles for dinner and hang out in the shop, clearing up and getting some paperwork done. My heart lurches with every sound from upstairs, wondering what she’s doing or if she’ll come down. I don’t like to think of her up there alone. She’s in a city where she doesn’t know anyone. It’s insane that I’m sitting down here, while she’s up there, but I don’t want her to know I’m staying in the studio. As far as she’s aware, the place is empty and I’ve packed up and gone home.
Problem is, I don’t have a home to go to.
10
TESS
Ispend the next few days making the apartment more like home, and trying to avoid Art. It’s stupid, but I can’t face him. Every time I think he’s near, my heart leaps out of my ribcage and pounds in my throat. Even though I’m avoiding him, a part of me still hopes he’ll come up to the apartment and call on me. But he isn’t that type of man. I knew that from the start. He’s a kiss ’em and leave ’em sort of guy, and he’s lived up to his image.
I reach the afternoon, and find myself at a loose end. The apartment is clean now, and I’ve done everything I could to make the place feel like my own. Checking the time, I realise I’d get away with calling a friend back home. I’ve exchanged a few text messages and emails with my best friend, Laura, but, due to the time difference, I haven’t managed to speak to her yet.
Feeling nervous, but not quite understanding why, I swipe my cell phone’s screen and call my friend’s home number.
She answers on the second ring. “Hi?”
“Hey, it’s me.”
Laura takes a breath. “Oh, my God, Tess. How are you? Is everything okay? How’s England?”
