“I was just hoping you were exaggerating and that, at the very least, he’d given you an orgasm for your trouble.” Her unusual green eyes narrowed, a few shades darker than my own. “You’re too good for him anyway,” she tutted. “Forget him. Now, you haveRyder.”
“Oh, shut up,” I muttered, shaking my head.
“What? Is tall, dark, and insanely handsome not your type? You’re clearlyhistype from the way he was watching you.”
“He wasn’t watching me,” I scoffed.
“Oh, but he was. Barely even looked at me the entire time,” she mused. “You should ask him on a date. After we do a background check on him first, of course.”
Cleaning my hands, I tossed all the wipes into the bin before eyeing the puddle of paint on the concrete. “Firstly, I no longer trust your judgment on who I should date.”
Bug grimaced, her expressions as melodramatic and obvious as an open book. “That was yesterday, which means you need to get over it. Besides, that man has a jawline carved by the gods.”
“And secondly,” I continued, ignoring her whining behind me, “I barely have time to brush my teeth, let alone date anyone. Not with mum, working at the gallery, and trying to manifest my actual dreams.” I spread my arms to emphasise my point. “And… wait… did you run a background check on Richard?”
“Of course I did,” Bug snorted. “Do you think I’d set you up with some random man? He might’ve been my dentist, but for all I knew he could’ve been a murderer.”
I stared at her.
“He came back clean, by the way. No arrests, no outstanding traffic tickets, though clearly being an arsehole isn’t a chargeable offence. Also, who said anything about dating? I’m talking about sex.” I glared, but that didn’t stop her. “Mind blowing, thrown around the room, sex. The kind that leaves you aching for days and craving more.”
“Bug …”
“Fine.” She looked anything but ‘fine’, but luckily, she became distracted by my latest piece. She took a moment to study the one closest to her, the one I wanted to casually set aflame so it could finally give me some inspiration.
“It’s not done,” I explained, wanting to block her view.
“It’s amazing,” she whispered, coming over to nudge my shoulder gently with her own. “Honestly Vi, the way your mind works to create these pictures is breathtaking.” Bug specialised in sculptures, incredible creations she carved by hand. “Your imagination is unreal. Your boss is an idiot not to realise that.”
Shaking my head, I picked up my palette before placing it on my makeshift table. I created escapism within fantasy,while Bug liked to recreate hardcore reality in exquisite yet terrifying detail. “Noah’s more likely to feature you than me,” I pointed out.
One, because he preferred more realism within his art, and two, he hated me for some unknown reason. Okay, so it may or may not have been because I said he had the emotional range of a toaster. In my defence, I didn’t realise he could hear me.
“You’re too good to be hidden away,” she continued. “You can do this, Vi.”
“Have I ever told you that you’re like my emotional support animal?”
She laughed at that, coming round to hug me to her side. “I prefer the term cheerleader, but sure. You can tell me how much you love me later tonight, preferably while buying me a drink.”
Shit.
I’d forgotten about tonight.
“Bug, I don’t think?—”
“Ah, hell no,” she interrupted, shaking her head and wagging her finger at me. “I knew you’d forget. It took me weeks to get this booth!”
They’re still coming for us, but don’t worry, I’ll protect you.
“Bug, I can’t. I have to take mum to something.”
“At eight at night?” Bug pursed her lips, tilting her head slightly to the side as her expression softened. “Has something happened? I thought she was doing better since she moved in with you?”
I went to explain, finding the words stuck in my throat. “No, everything’s fine,” I lied, swallowing the sour taste in my mouth. I knew my neighbour would contact me if there were any issues with mum, which would give me a few hours at least. “I’ll be there.”
Bug backed away, using two fingers to point to her eyes before pointing to me in the universal ‘I’m watching you’ sign. “Don’t be late.”
Chapter 4
