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“They give me life,” Cole said, beaming. “What’s the occasion?”
“I brought us lunch,” I said, holding aloft a white paper bag. “I have two bits of news and I didn’t want to wait until you came home.”
Homewas our modest little flat in Marylebone. Two bedrooms—one for us and one for Cole’s studio—with white walls and plenty of windows. We’d been extremely careful with the gift our guardian angel afforded us, saving and working as much as possible.
Cole had found the job at Winthrop, teaching during the day and working on a new collection at night and on and weekends. It was my job to do all the tedious networking he hated. I made the calls and sent out photos and emails because I believed in him utterly. Because his talent had not been wiped away in our little time loop but had flourished. He’d made several big sales and had an upcoming show at a small gallery. There was even a rumor that Jane Oxley was interested and would attend.
His friend, Vaughn Ritter, was coming too.
Two years ago, after the shock of what we’d found in the rubble had worn off, Cole called Vaughn and kept close with him, checking in and being there for him. He and his new wife were frequent dinner guests at our home.
Because Cole is in the business of saving lives.
Mine, especially, but his too. He kept his promise to me and found a therapist he trusted to prevent my former associates from getting too close again. And because the abuse suffered at the hands of my “uncle” wasn’t magically wiped away, I did the same. Hard moments still came and facing them sometimes felt like standing naked before a firing squad. But talking through them felt like learning how to put on a suit of armor, and it grew stronger and stronger every day.
We took our lunch outside and sat at a bench under a brilliant May sun. From the bags, I pulled out two tuna fish sandwiches with cranberries, two ice teas, and two bags of crisps.
“So what’s your big news?” Cole said.
“I’ve been discovered.”
“By what?”
“A modeling agency. I was standing in line at Pret-a-Manger, fetching this feast, when a man in a Brioni three-piece hands me his card. He wants to take photos of me day after next.”
“I’ll bet he does,” Cole muttered warily. He took the card. “Holy shit. This looks legit. This is one of the biggest agencies in Europe. This could be huge.”
“I hope so. It’d be nice to be clad in designer couture again. Do you think I’ll suffice?”
“Suffice? Ambri, you have to be one of the most gorgeous men on the planet. They’d be fucking idiots not to sign you.”
“I adore you, Cole Matheson. I think it’s rather perfect for me, actually.”
“I agree,” he said dryly. “Sitting around, doing nothing but being admired all day is exactly your skill set.”
“Then why do you look less than thrilled?”
“It’s…nothing.”
“Tell me.”
“Well, modeling is an exciting life. And my career might be about to go somewhere.” Cole shrugged one shoulder. “It sort of feels like everything is starting up again. Not that I’m complaining but…” He smiled weakly. “We’ve been there before.”
“That ‘exciting life’ hasn’t happened yet. And in any case, Cole,youaremy life. I’ve been given a second chance. The last thing I’d ever do is succumb to whispered temptations from our old friends. It’s not even possible. I love you too much.”
“I wouldn’t either. Sorry, I’m just being weird about the upcoming show. And maybe part of me is a little jealous. You were my muse, and now you’re going to be the muse of a hundred different photographers.”
“I won’t cease my tireless work as your manager,” I said. “I’ll take a job here or there but nothing international. No prancing up and down runways with an oil barrel on my head or some such nonsense. Just for the extra income. And the clothing, of course.”
“Of course.” Cole smiled. “And what’s the second piece of news?”
“Casziel called me today. He said we need to go to Hever Castle immediately.”
Our friends across the pond had had to be told about me for a second time and everything that had transpired after. Given that we’d all been sucked backward through some sort of celestial wormhole, Cas and Lucy took it rather well. The four of us had become very close, taking turns popping over to visit each other as often as possible.
Cole was frowning. “Is going to Hever a good idea?”
“My first thought wasabsolutely bloody fucking not, but then I considered it. Perhaps I need to look directly into my old pain instead of letting it haunt me from afar. Don’t you agree?”
