Page 87 of Just a Number

“No fucking way. I want you at my mercy for more than ten fucking minutes, boyo.” She looks at her watch with a grimace. “I need to check that the caterers are all set up. The doors open in twenty minutes. You should have a look around and double check you’re happy with all the placings.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” I say softly, enjoying her chest puffing out at the title as she draws in a deep breath. She leans in for a kiss before turning and making her way to the caterers’ space behind the gallery.

The gallery is full of chatter and there’s a good vibe in the room as I look around an hour later. There are the familiar faces of Cassidy, Tom and Jack, Abby, my mum, and Laura. Doug didn’t make an appearance, thank goodness. My mum seems to be a bit firmer with him these days, and Laura and I get to spend more time with her without him interfering. I don’t think Mum and I will ever be super close, but there’s more of an ease to our relationship now. Especially with me not being at home.

Mel’s been busy making sure that everything is running smoothly behind the scenes and I’ve been making my best effort to chat with everyone that’s in attendance. The amount of sold stickers popping up next to my items is mind blowing. I’ve been working for months on pieces for this showing and the plan was to put them up for sale online after the event. But at this rate,there won’t be much left. Guess I’ll be putting in a few days in my studio next week to replenish the shop stock.

A hand grasps my shoulder from behind and I turn around, ready to schmooze.

“Hey,” Zack says as I face him. “It’s going well, huh?”

“Hey, thanks for coming. Yeah, it really is. It’s all down to your mum. She’s organised it all.”

“I know. She was bending my ear about it during the week. She was really nervous for you.”

I’m taken aback. She’d hidden it well from me. “Really?”

“Yeah, she wanted this to be a big success for you.” There’s a pause and I wait, sensing he has something else to say. “I know I was a bit of a dick when I found out about you two, but it’s obvious you make her happy, Alex. She was miserable when you were in Scotland. She missed you.”

What do I say to that to that?We get on alright but our relationship changed when I came back from Scotland. For this to work, I had to give up our relationship as mates and take on one as the boyfriend of his mum. And it generally works. We chat when he’s around. Mel and I try to keep it PG when he’s staying at the house. He ended up taking the space above the garage that I’d stayed in and it works well for all of us. Mel is happy with him having a space he can stay in when he needs it, and Zack doesn’t have to share the house with us, which I know must be strange.

“I missed her too. She makes me happy. I’m not sorry that we got together, Zack. I can’t be. She makes my life a million times better. But I do regret that we hurt you in the process.” I’ve got no idea if it’s the right thing to say, but a relief settles over me at the nod he gives me.

“Just don’t fucking hurt her. She’s the best,” he tells me with a punch to my arm.

“I’ll do everything in my power to make her as happy as possible,” I vow.

“Good. Right, where’s the free booze?” he asks as he glances around the room.

“Over there, knock yourself out,” I tell him with a grin.

Epilogue - Part 2

Mel

Alex farewells the last couple of guests, seeing them out of the gallery entrance, before he shuts the door and flips the closed sign over. As he turns, I notice his chest rises and falls with a deep breath.

“Ready?” he asks as he strides towards me. I nod. “Did you bring the car?”

“No, I caught a cab. You’re taking me home on the bike,” I tell him.

His mouth spreads in a grin. He loves it when I’m his backpack.

“Can we go? Is there anything else to do?” he checks.

“We’re free to go. The caterers are all packed up and the gallery owner is here to set the alarm.” I take his hand in mine and tug him towards the back entrance where his bike is parked. I grab my jacket and the spare helmet I remembered to bring with me on the way out.

“Huh, planned it this way, did you, baby?” he asks.

“Sure did, boyo. And for the rest of the night, it’s ma’am to you.” It’s hard to hold back the smugness that rolls over me at the blush rising in his cheeks. He gives me a respectful nod as he takes the helmet from me so I can pull my jacket on.

He swings his leg over the bike, pulling his own helmet on but keeping the visor up.

His gaze turns smoky as I tug my skirt up my thighs to allow room to straddle the bike before I climb up behind him. I’m definitely showing more leg than I would have a couple of years ago, but his appraising look reminds me to do the things that bring me joy. He’s definitely number one on that list.

I wrap my arms around his middle and breathe in the scent of his leather jacket before he passes my helmet back. Once it’s secure, he gives my hand a squeeze and I tap his thigh with the ‘ready’ signal we’ve established over time. The bike hums to life between my thighs and I draw in a deep breath as he pulls away and heads towards home. He puts his foot down once we’re on the main road and I lean in enjoying being close to him after spending the evening mostly watching him from afar.

I can’t even put into words the love I feel for this man. How much my heart swelled with pride tonight as he made his way around the room, answering questions about his work. It was pretty much a sellout, and I know he wasn’t expecting that. I’d made sure the guest list included the people that I know adore his work and would be sure to buy. Alex Campbell is a name in the ceramics industry now and his work is highly sought after. I love the pieces he’s made for me which I’ve placed around our home, showing them off to any visitors that come calling.

---