Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

Phillip

We've been making good progress so far this week, but Rose has been different since she arrived on Monday morning. It's nothing major, but the ease we'd found in our interactions at the end of last week is gone and I'm determined to find out why.

We were getting along so well, even after I embarrassed myself while showing her the project plans. She was fine on Friday morning, encouraging me to get closer to her for the video call even though I'd been consciously making an effort to give her space. I noticed her breath hitch when my leg accidentally knocked against hers and couldn't resist leaving it there to see what she would do. Even through our jeans, the innocent touch made me long for so much more. When she leaned into the contact instead of pulling away, I thought I might have a chance.

We worked separately all Friday afternoon but the silence was companionable. She caught me stealing a few glances at her but I noticed her watching me too, so didn't think she'd mind. By that point I felt pretty confident Rose was interested in me, but now I'm not so sure. Is she worried about seeming unprofessional? Did something happen over the weekend that I don't know about? Whatever it is, I'm getting to the bottom of it today.

"I'm getting something to drink, do you want anything?" You. I scoff under my breath at how ridiculous I'm being. She's just being nice, and here I am wishing for something I can't have. On Rose's first day here, I made sure to tell her she was welcome to make herself at home and I'm glad she's taken that to heart.

"Coffee please. I'll join you once I finish this last bit." I wave a hand at the work I've been neglecting for the past few minutes. All four panels are cut now and I've been sanding down the edges. Rose offered to help but I could tell her back was bothering her. It didn't take much to convince her I'm happy to handle it alone. Has the weird vibe been because she's hurting?

As soon as the section I've been working on is done I head through to the kitchen. I'm still searching for the right way to broach the subject of the weird tension between us when Rose gasps, almost dropping the mugs she was reaching into one of the top cupboards for. Without thinking I swoop in behind her, catching them before they can fall.

My quick reflexes leave Rose sandwiched between the length of my body and the counter and my arms bracket her waist when I set the mugs down in front of her. Just as I'm about to step back and apologise for invading her personal space again, Rose turns to face me and I lose the ability to move. The moment her jade eyes meet mine all of my non-essential functions go offline. Her soft breasts brush against my chest, heating my blood. Parts of me are getting ideas I absolutely should not be having right now, especially since we've not had a chance to talk yet. But knowing I should take a step back and actually doing so are two completely different things. The desire to stay right where I am only grows stronger when Rose's tongue darts out to wet her lips.

"Thank you." Her voice is breathier than usual but I can't tell if the change was brought on by our closeness or her near-accident.

"No problem." The moment stretches out between us until, finally, I find the willpower to force myself back a step, arms dropping to my sides. Rose takes half a step towards me, like she wants to erase the distance I've put between us, before quickly backtracking until her back hits the counter.

"Sorry, I don't know why I—" She cuts herself off with a shake of her head before turning away from me. "I should finish making these," she mumbles.

"Why don't you go and sit down, I'll make them."

"I can do it." Boldly, I place a gentle hand on her shoulder feeling some of the tension leave her body when I do.

"I know you can. But something obviously happened just now. Maybe I want to take care of you, Rose. Will you let me do that?"

"OK." She sighs.

Once our drinks are made, I carry them over to the living area where Rose has taken off her shoes and now sits curled up in the corner of my sofa. Enjoying having her in my space much more than I should is just another thing I can add to the list of reasons why I need to pull myself together and figure out what's going on between us. But first I have to make sure she's alright.

"Are you OK?"

"Not really," she answers, eagerly accepting the mug I offer her.

"What happened over there?"

"Muscle spasm. I don't usually have a problem reaching the top cupboards but my body just had enough today. It happens." Rose shrugs like it's no big deal. I suppose in her eyes it's not compared to the constant pain and other stuff she mentioned before.

"Is there anything I can do to help? Do you want a heat pack or something?"

"No, but thanks. You don't need to worry." She offers me a reassuring smile. Frustration over her trying to make me feel better right now simmers in my veins. It's not her job to make what she's dealing with more palatable for other people but someone has obviously made her think it is. "I just need to rest for a little bit then I'll be fine." Taking her word for it, I decide to move the conversation on to a more pleasant topic.

"How's your work going? Any new ideas?" When she grimaces I curse myself, realising too late that her art is probably not a safe subject considering she's been taking a break from it. Damnit.

"Nothing worth moving forward with yet. I'm a little rusty."

"Hey, if the set designs you came up with are anything to go by, I don't think you have anything to worry about." She offers me a small smile but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. I clear my throat uncomfortably, shifting in my seat. "Now is probably a good time for me to admit that I checked out your website. I wanted to see more of your work, find out what your usual style is. Your portraits are amazing, Rose."

"You looked at my website?" she asks warily, tugging on her sleeves.

"Should I not have?"

"It's fine, I guess." One shoulder rises and falls and she refuses to meet my eyes. "I'm just surprised you were interested."

I weigh my next words carefully. Now more than ever, it's clear there is more to Rose taking a break from her artwork than the need to slow down for a bit. But if I don't know why it's a sensitive subject, I know I'll end up putting my foot in my mouth again.

"Can I ask why you're taking a break from painting?"

She sighs, turning to face me, then loops her arms round her knees protectively.

"Yeah, sure. Since we're friends now," she teases, nudging my thigh with her socked foot in an effort to lighten the mood. At least whatever happened between us in the kitchen seems to have got us back on track. Maybe I should make my intentions clear soon—I want to be far more than just friends with Rose. But now isn't the right time.

"I had a bad break-up a few months ago," she begins. "More of a bad relationship really. The break-up itself was pretty anticlimactic after everything." She shakes her head. "Anyway, Malcolm, that's my ex, he wasn't supportive of my art. He was an arsehole when it came to my health too honestly, but it didn't start out like that, you know?"

"It usually doesn't." Unable to resist comforting her, I reach forward and cover one of her delicate hands with mine. Her gaze darts down in surprise but she doesn't object. Instead, she gives me a soft smile tinged with sadness so I squeeze her hand gently, encouraging her to continue.

"When we first met, he thought it was cool I was an artist. That it made me exciting. But I didn't live up to the fantasy. When his friends started moving in with their partners and buying houses, he wanted what they had. He got it in his head that if I got a ‘real' job we would be able to have that kind of life too, even though he had enough money all on his own to do everything his friends were. Instead, he acted like I was holding him back because I didn't work a normal nine to five." She rolls her eyes. "He made fun of my artwork and treated it like a silly hobby even though it was my main source of income, and he hated the princess stuff I do for Aria. Said grown women dressing up was embarrassing. Anyway, by the time I saw him for who he really was and ended things he had already sucked all the joy out of painting. Now I'm having a hard time finding the love for it again."

I'm usually pretty easy-going, but after everything Rose just told me it's safe to say I hate this guy for the way he treated her. Nobody deserves that.

"You'll find the joy in it again." I'll make sure of it .

"I know." She smiles softly. "This is helping, the set project I mean." A sweet blush stains her cheeks but she continues. "At first I was so nervous about trying something completely new, but so far it's been oddly freeing. Of course, I want to do a good job for Aria, but there's not the same kind of pressure weighing on me as there is when it comes to my usual work."

"That's great, Rose. Really." I run a hand through my hair, still riled up over everything her ex put her through. "Look, I know you already know this but I need to say it anyway. That man did not deserve you. And if you ever need a reminder of how amazing you are I'll gladly provide one. I am blown away by your talent, Rose. I'm blown away by you ."

Her eyes turn glossy and she visibly pushes down the emotions welling up inside her.

"Thank you." She flips her palm to squeeze my hand back, the move settling something within me. Soon . I'll make sure Rose knows I will gladly help her forget all about that arsehole ex of hers if she gives me a chance.