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Maya fingered them both. “Thanks.”

“Very you,” he said softly. He held her gaze as she smiled shyly, color rising in her cheeks.

The door opened and Arran answered. “Hey, Sam. Maya—long time no see.” He gave each of them a hug as they entered the house.

Sam had messaged Arran before they’d set off to say that Maya was giving him a lift over. He’d already told Arran about Maya’s return and had a feeling he’d read something into it, being the only friend in whom Sam had confided about their past. Sam had informed him that nothing was going on except some car sharing. He’d also explained to Arran that he didn’t even like Maya and the feeling was more than mutual; however, Sam was seriously doubting himself, on both those counts.

Arran took them along the hallway into the kitchen and offered them a hot drink, which they accepted.

Sam took a seat at the breakfast bar with Maya next to him. “How’re things in the studio?”

“Good,” Arran said. “I’m having a go at a self-portrait. If it’s passable, I might start painting other people.”

Sam rolled his eyes. “Passable? Your stuff is amazing.”

Arran smiled and shrugged. He handed them their mugs and lifted his own.

Sam sipped his tea. “Can we show Maya?”

Arran nodded. “Sure. Walk this way.”

They stood and followed him out into the hallway, then took a door off it into the converted garage. There was a large window facing the street, and the walls were lined with canvases. Maya walked over to the stunning landscapes that were on display, holding her mug. “My goodness. These are spectacular.”

“Right?” Sam drew level with her, her reaction creating a warm happiness within him. “That’s what I keep telling him.”

Maya moved on to the next one, and he followed.

“Does Liv know about this?” she asked. “She’d love it. You know how she likes to promote small businesses.”

Arran smiled. “Yeah, she’s one of my biggest supporters, aside from her darling brother here.”

Maya smiled, and seemed to shake her head slightly.

Sam walked across the room to check out Arran’s self-portrait. As expected, it was brilliant. He’d captured his handsome features, copper-brown skin and dark coiled hair perfectly. “Mate. This is fantastic.”

Maya came to stand next to him. “Oh my God, Arran. This is perfect.”

Arran rubbed the back of his neck. “Thank you.”

Maya’s mouth was open as she studied it. “Where do you advertise yourself?”

“The usual. Website, Facebook, Twitter, Insta. Local flyers.”

Maya nodded, casting her gaze right around the room.

Sam cleared his throat. “I’m just going to borrow Arran for a sec in private, if you want to carry on checking out his stuff.”

“Is that okay?” Maya asked Arran.

“Absolutely,” he replied.

Sam led Arran out of the room, and they went back into the kitchen. “Here you go. I had a bit more spare cash lying about. A bonus from Ben.” He handed over his latest lot of butler money, but Arran hesitated.

“I dunno, man. You’ve given me loads already, and I feel guilty for ever telling you I was turned down for that bank loan.”

Sam pressed it into his palm. “You need those new paints. Get them with this. What else do you need?”

Arran blinked. “Just that work light. But I can manage, honestly.”