“What? Can you still use the space, like, rent from the new owners?”
“No. The locks were changed the day it sold.”
I still need to get my things.
“Nina, that sucks. Is there anything I can do?”
I smile at his concern. “Not in terms of my studio, but you could show me the bomb ass photos you took. I’d love to see them.”
“It’s why I was calling. Are you free today?”
I’m about to say yes when I think better of it—eyeing the mess on the kitchen floor and the state of myself in the hallway mirror.
“Not today, but I could probably make tomorrow work?”
“Brilliant, are you okay to come to me? It’s easier with the computer.”
I have a moment of doubt. I know Mase won’t like me meeting Joey, let alone somewhere private, but with the way he’s been acting this week—fuck him.
“Yeah, sure, text me your address and I’ll come to you.”
“Will do. Thanks, Nina.”
“Bye, Joey.”
I throw my phone to the counter and eye the mess on the floor, wondering why I even started in the first place. The girls would give me crap if I left it like this now. Begrudgingly, I finish the cupboards, wiping them down and putting everything away again. I shower and check my phone for any alerts on new premises and then climb back into bed. The thought of doing anything else seems utterly exhausting.
“I spoke to Elliot earlier. Mason wasn’t in the office today, and he asked me if I knew what was up,” Lucy tells me as she opens her kitchen cupboards in amazement. “This is incredible. You colour coordinated our tins?”
“I had lots of spare time.” I shrug.
“You’re acting mopey. Tomorrow you need to get out, go to the gym or something.”
“You spoke to Elliot?” I divert the conversation from me, arching a brow at her in question.
“Yes, Elliot. My friend Elliot who is just that, a friend. Is that okay?” She starts to get jerky as her annoyance rises.
“Absolutely.” I grin at her from where I’m sitting on the counter.
“You look like a psycho when you smile like that.”
I start to giggle. “I feel like a psycho today. Honestly, I don’t think I have cried so much in my life. Not even as much as that day Mum left me in that park when I was six.” I shake my head at the memory. “This week has been a hyper wave of emotions.”
“Have you heard anything from him?”
“Nope. Not even a text.” I jab my tongue in the side of my cheek, trying to think about anything else. How did I get him so wrong?
“What is up with him? Why make a fuss of chasing you down to act like a player now. He asked you to move in, not the other way around.”
“I don’t?—”
The doorbell rings, cutting me off. “Hold that thought.” Lucy skirts off around the corner, and a few minutes later Mason appears in the doorway. My heart grows heavy in my chest. Lucy stands at his back, and I give her the stink eye as she squeezes past him.
“I’m just going to go take a shower or something,” she says, heading down the corridor.
His eyes cut into me. They are full of so many questions, yet neither of us speak.
“Why are you here?” I ask after a beat.
