Page 28 of Note to Self
I nudge Merlin in the ribs.
“Oomph.” He puts his arm over my shoulder. “You would never have done it otherwise.”
He may be right about that. Thank god he did.
We grab our drinks and a menu and find somewhere to sit.
“Tell me everything Merrick said. And please, please, please tell me you didn’t show him the ones of me.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “I promise you I will never share those with anyone. They are for our eyes only.”
Soon, we have compiled a list of things I need to organise and accomplish.
The next two weeks are hectic. I agreed to the November date and the amount and type of artwork Merrick wanted, including half a dozen nude or erotic pieces of men and women. All the while, I’m aware of my time in the cottage running out and the decisions about my future looming over my head. The phone calls from my mother have started again with the imminent new school term just around the corner. One thing I have done is contact my head of faculty and informed him that I won’t be back for at least this upcoming term.
The door to the cottage opens. “I’m home,” Merlin calls, and the door closes again. “Are you ready?”
Shit. “Um, nearly.” I wash off my paintbrush and stand up from the easel that now lives permanently in the little bedroom. I hear his exasperated chuckle before I see him. “I’m sorry. You know how the time flies, and I needed the light at the right angle to get this one finished. I’m done now and all yours.”
Merlin looks over my shoulder at the painting. “That’s beautiful.”
“Thanks, I’m pleased with it.” And I am. The watercolour is of the cove at twilight, which is why I wanted to capture the sun at the right time. The sky is a mix of pale blue, with streaks of oranges and pinks before the lilacs and purples take over when night descends. It’s the largest painting of eight of the town and coastline and will be the main piece in this part of the show. The other part comprises portraits and the nudes Merrick insisted on. I still have more to do of them, but by using some of the ones I’d already drawn, the rush has gone. “I need to get cleaned up.”
Merlin rolls his eyes at me, but he’s getting used to this. I make sure to keep reminding him that this is all his fault. He’s the one who wanted Merrick to see my drawings. “Make sure you scrub your face. There’s paint on it. Just here.” He presses a kiss on my hairline.
I let out a low whistle. The black trousers with a rich burgundy shirt fit him perfectly. His muscles have got even bigger thanks to all the manual work he does on the nursery land. Even his hair is free of mud and grit and gleams in its natural scruffy chic. “You clean up good. Maybe too good. We can skip it and go to bed instead.”
“Tempting, but we promised. You won’t want anyone to miss yours for the sake of a bunk-up.” We’re going to the gallery for the opening night of one of the artists who has spent the summer in one of the flats above the gallery. Her show runs for the next month, ending just before mine starts. I can imagine how nervous she must be right now, and Merlin’s right. I would hate for someone who promised to be there for support to not bother.
I rush through a quick shower, scrubbing all the paint from my body. After the fastest towel-off, I grab my only decent pair of trousers I brought with me and a pale blue pinstripe shirt. I add some wax to my hair in an attempt to style it. It should becut, but I like it a bit longer. I’ve always had it short, respectable, something my mum insisted on.
Merlin comes up behind me, sliding his hands around my waist, and kisses my neck. “Hmm, I’m regretting turning you down now.”
“Good things come to those who wait.” I kiss his cheek and saunter out of the bedroom. “Ouch!”
Merlin sniggers as he walks past as if he hasn’t just smacked my arse.
The walk into the town to the gallery only takes fifteen minutes, and for the first time, there’s a slight chill in the air. Summer is really coming to an end. I have to go back to London, to my home, and perhaps a confrontation with my parents. The fact that my contract at the cottage will expire in a few days adds to the air of finality. Now is the time to take the final step and move here permanently. Drew’s sister, Stacey, is an estate agent. She would be the best person to talk to about a long-term rental. Still, a niggling voice in my head whispers my show will be a flop, and I’ll want to run from here too. That there’s no rush to sell my home. I shiver, not at the cold but more at the negativity I’ve planted in my head.
“You okay?” Merlin wraps his arm around my shoulder, drawing me in close and kissing my temple. “What demons are you fighting in your head?”
“What do you mean?” Is he bloody psychic or something? How does he know what’s going through my head?
“Trent, sweetheart, you’re like an open book. Your emotions show on your face whenever you’re overthinking. You stress about things you don’t have the answers to, even when the solution is staring you in the face. Right now, you’re worried about where you’re going to live. The simple answer is with me. You’re also worried about your show, and that’s perfectly understandable. But trust me, it’s going to be a huge hit. Merrickwouldn’t be doing it otherwise. The gallery is his business, his reputation. He’s not doing this as a favour to you as your brother-in-law. He’s doing it because you’re brilliant.”
We’ve reached the gallery, which is already busy with a long queue of people waiting outside. I need a minute before I can approach the door. As I draw in a long, deep breath, Merlin embraces me. I’m cocooned in his arms and able to get my thoughts back under control. I haven’t ever thought about moving in with Merlin. We’re good together. I love every moment we’re together, but it’s too soon.
“It’s not too soon, babe.”
It takes another minute or two for Trent to relax. When he lifts his head from my shoulder, he gives me a nod. I loosen the hold I have around him, and before he can step out from my embrace, I drop a kiss on his forehead.
“I’m fine. Can we talk about what you said later?” Trent looks warily at me.
Shit, he’s going to turn me down. And maybe he’s right. Maybe it is too early to be together full time. It doesn't feel like it, not to me. I’ve never had such a connection with anyone I’ve dated. He’s right to question it, though. I hadn’t planned on asking him. Not yet anyway, but now that I have, I want him moving in with me.
“Sure.” I take his hand, and with our hands clasped together, we enter the gallery.
“Good evening, gentlemen. It’s lovely to see the pair of you here.” Melanie offers us a brochure and lets us pass with a wink. The room is full of smartly dressed men and women in expensive cocktail dresses. A suited server approaches with a silver tray of fluted glasses filled with champagne. “Gentlemen, a drink?” He smiles politely.
