I am midway through when I hear my phone ringing in my bag. Certain it won’t be my mum, I go to check who it is.
Erin O’Conner’s name lights up the screen, and I smile as I answer.
“Hey, you! It’s been months!”
“Nina! I know, I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy. How are you?” I can hear her smile through the phone.
I knew the moment I met Erin that she was a beautiful person inside and out, a natural redhead, smart and stunning.
I haven’t seen her since I first started renting the space, but she has stayed in touch, making sure everything is always okay with the building.
“Ah, you know how it is. Work, men, mothers.” I laugh, pulling myself up to sit on the piano, the phone tucked in the crook of my neck.
She laughs along with me. “That sounds an awful lot like my life right now.”
“Well, that makes me feel better, thank you,” I say with a smile. “How is your mum?” I ask, feeling bad for moaning about my mum whilst hers is sick.
“Hmmm, she is getting there. It’s going to be a long road to recovery,” she says sadly.
I try to lift her spirits. “Well, I feel like I’ll be needing a trip after this showcase. Maybe I could visit with Luce and Megs. I’m desperate to meet some of these Australian men you’ve been telling me about.”
“Actually, you might see me a little sooner than that. I have some documents that need to be signed and have to come home. I was hoping you’d be okay with me working out of the studio office for a couple of weeks? I know you said you don’t use it, so it’s totally fine if you don’t want me to.”
“Erin, of course, it’s your office! I don’t even use it. When will you be home? I will make sure the girls are free, and we can get drinks.” I start to plan in my head.
“Yeah, that would be good! I’ve missed London so much.”
My heart breaks for her a little. “It won’t be long, and you’ll be back here living the dream,” I say, tracing the initials engraved on the back of the piano.
“I wish that were the case, Nina,” she says solemnly. ” So I plan to fly in on the twenty-fifth. I already booked my flight, hoping you’d be okay with me getting under your feet at the studio.” She laughs.
“Well, how presumptuous of you.” I smile. “Honestly, Erin, I don’t even know where the key is. I never use it. I won’t even know you’re here.”
“Right, that’s set then. I can’t wait to see you. Thank you, Nina.”
“Of course, take care, lovely. See you soon.”
* * *
I spottedthe Bentley parked up on the other side of the road about an hour ago and have no idea how long Mason has been sitting there. Thankfully, he hasn’t come inside—yet. It’s why I plan to make a dash out the back once everyone has left the gym.
I still feel mortified about Saturday morning, although why I let my mother’s mistakes define my life is beyond me. Lucy was right when she said I am nothing like my mother. Apart from our appearance, wearethe complete opposite of each other. But sometimes, I find myself judging my morals, fearing that they are a by-product of her.
I wish I’d been more prepared for him to turn up here. I would have made more of an effort, making him feel like an idiot for chasing me away with that mouth.
Now I’m thinking about his mouth, his full soft lips…
“Shit.”
Chancing a glance in the gym mirrors, I grimace. My hair is roughly pulled up on my head, my face bare of any makeup, and I’m wearing my yoga pants and a tank top. Yeah, I am definitely going out the back door tonight.
I’m just about to shut down the computer when I hear the door open and close. I know the last few members have not long left, so I sit with my head down, hoping it’s just them and they have forgotten something.
Wishful thinking.
The first tell is his smell. It smothers me, taking me straight back to Friday night. Memories of his lips on my neck as he whispered sweet promises in my ear—the feel of him between my legs as I practically begged him to touch me.
God, I’m such a loser.
