Page 82 of The One That Got Away

‘I’d love to. I miss the creativity. As much as I enjoy working for Mum, I don’t want to do it forever. I’d like to run my own freelance graphic design business, take on my own clients, challenge myself.’

‘You should do it!’ Max said. ‘Good graphic designers are hard to find. We’re having a nightmare with the company we use at the moment.’

‘Why?’

‘I think they’ve got complacent. We’ve used them for a coupleof years now and the stuff they sent over for a new olive oil body care range was pretty terrible. The branding looked so dated.’

‘I could do some designs for you if you want?’ The words shot out of my mouth before I had a chance to think. I shouldn’t have said anything. Now Max would feel awkward. ‘No obligation. You don’t have to pay me or anything. I genuinely love your products and they deserve to do well so maybe if I did some sketches or something it could give them some direction.’

‘I’d love that,’ Max replied.

‘Really?’ I couldn’t hide the surprise in my voice. I thought he’d just fob me off. Then again, I basically said I’d do it for free so he had nothing to lose.

‘Yes,really. But of course I’ll pay you. Your work has value and I respect that.’

‘Oh. Thanks. Send me the brief and I’ll do some brainstorming later or tomorrow.’

‘You’re on holiday. I can’t ask you to do that!’

‘I don’t mind. I can do it by the pool or something. As long as you keep me topped up with cocktails!’

‘You sure?’

‘Yeah. I wouldn’t say so otherwise. I enjoy it. I wish I could do it full time.’

‘Then you should. It’s important to follow your dreams.’

‘Yeah, but Mum needs me.’

‘Who’s taking care of things whilst you’re here?’

‘Believe it or not, Mum’s roped in the vicar’s wife!’ I chuckled.

‘No!’ Max laughed and the sound made butterflies dance in my stomach. ‘That’s hilarious! Do you think she’ll take some of those thongs home and wear them for her husband?’

‘Who knows? Maybe Mum made her one that says “Sinner”!’

‘Yeah!’ He laughed again. ‘So do you have any of these sexy thongs?’ His eyes darkened.

‘Max!’ I gently slapped his bicep playfully. God, it felt so good. ‘That’s not a question thatfriendsask each other.’

‘Why not? It’s a totally innocent question!’

‘That’s for me to know and for you to find out,’ I flirted.

‘Is that an invitation?’ The corner of his mouth turned up into a smile.

‘No comment,’ I said.

I was actually wearing one of the thongs Mum had given me right now, but I wasn’t about to tell Max that.

‘Anyway, if you really want to go out on your own, you should go for it. I’m sure your mum will support you.’

Hearing Max’s encouragement warmed my heart. Maybe one day I’d think about branching out, but not yet.

‘What do you want to do for lunch?’ I said.

‘I don’t mind cooking in the villa. It’s nice to have a kitchen.’

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