I have to move forward. I can’t run away every time I hit a bump in the road. I have to face it. Overcome it.
“Yeah,” I tell him.
“I thought I’d blown it. The studio. I know I fucked up, Nina.”
“We have a long way to go, Mason.”
We are far from perfect, and wedohave a long way to go. But today I make a new promise because Iwantto stay.
* * *
Mase
“Didn’tshe tell you specifically last month not to buy her shit?” Elliot asks with a smug smile on his face.
“Oh, they never really mean it. This is perfect,” George tells me, coming to sit on the edge of my desk.
“If I make it about Lucy, get you to plan it.” I look to Elliot, willing him to get on board.
“Fuck off, Lowell, I have enough to deal with.”
“Like what?” I frown, calling him out on his bullshit.
“You think they can all just take time off and go on holiday?” Lance asks. “You’re fucking gaga over her, mate.”
“You pricks going to come or not? Let me deal with the girls.”
They all eye each other before looking back at me. “Yeah, I’m in,” Charlie says. “I need the break.”
I nod, agreeing with him. He seems to be doing alright, but I know this past month has stirred up a lot of shit he had buried. I can imagine getting out of the office is exactly what he needs.
“Count me in.” Elliot grins.
“Fuck it.” Lance relents, shrugging.
I look up and over my shoulder. “Sorry, George mate, you’ll have to man the office this time.”
“I’m in charge,” he exclaims, hand on his chest.
“Are you fuck!” Elliot laughs, and I smile.
“I will have someone come up from downstairs to check in, but I will call you to make sure things are going okay, and I will work when I can.”
“Oh, have a day off, will you,” he scolds me. “I’m excited for you! I thought you were all looking a little pale.”
“You’ve gotta get the girls on board first,” Lance reminds me.
“It won’t take a lot.” I smirk, drumming my fingers on the desk. “I have a plan.”
* * *
Nina
“Girls?”
Heaving the suitcase onto the sofa, I take in the utter disarray that is their apartment. Lucy is a clean freak. She can’t stand mess. Yet the lounge floor is covered in outfits, some matching and some discarded to the side, clearly not making the cut.
“Girls?!” I shout, frowning. “Where are they?”
