Page 52 of Tears of Glass

“I grew up in a tattoo shop in Brighton. Guess I got the bug.”

I don’t need to tell the stranger from downstairs that I covered myself in ink so no one would see the real me.

A moment of outstanding clarity rushes into my brain.

Elijah saw me, the real me, as soon as we met. He never saw anything other than me.

“Are you okay?”

I run a hand through my hair. I should clear up all the mess I’ve made. “Do you fancy a coffee?”

“Uh. Yeah, sure, I guess. If you don’t have anywhere to be?”

“I’ve not a lecture ‘til later.”

She shoots me a questioning look and repositions the baby on her hip.

“I’m doing a degree in Fine Art. Well, I think I am. It’s complicated.” I use Elijah’s line. “I’m Faith, by the way.”

“Hey.” She gives me a shy smile. “Want some help putting away your shopping?” Her quick gaze darts behind me to the mountain of shopping.

“Yeah. It’s a lot of food. A friend of mine isn’t convinced I eat enough.”

A friend?

“Why don’t you go and jump in that bath, and I’ll find the cups and coffee.”

Firstly, I throw all the towels I own bar one onto the floor to soak up the mess. As I sink into the water, I consider the craziness of the morning; last night’s kiss; and the fact I have a total stranger who lives downstairs, in my apartment while I’m in the bath. I mean, that’s a new level of weird even for me.

What’s happened to me?

I don’t need any answer. I already know it.

Him.

At seven thirty, I make sure I’m downstairs and ready. I almost didn’t wear the dress, but I didn’t want to be rude to Saskia. That and the fact it is exceptionally pretty and fits like a dream. I dug around in my abandoned wardrobe until I found a silver, fine spun cardi I could slip over my shoulders. My impromptu coffee with Lucy from downstairs was surprisingly enjoyable. All this time living in London and I’ve finally met and talked to a neighbour. She wanted to know what I did. It was an interesting situation to explain: well I went to uni, dropped out of uni, lived in a stately home... fair to say it was two cups of coffee. Not just the one.

Now, as I walk down the stairs, I can’t help but wonder what I’m doing.

What am I doing?

In a moment of sanity, I grab my phone out of the silver clutch I’ve slipped it into and start to type a message.

Sorry. This isn’t a good idea.

“Too slow.” His smirk is almost audible behind me and I forget how to breathe. Holy shit. This guy. Turning I sweep my gaze over him.

No. I can’t even think.

This guy...

Wearing a black tuxedo with a black tie, his bright blue eyes standing out in stark contrast, he looks unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Ever.

He looks like the barrister, the son of titled gentry. His smile is one hundred percent Eli.

“Where on earth are we going?” Even my voice is shaking. I can’t think right now about the knock of my knees. “I’d be happy with McDonalds again if I’m being honest.”

He holds out his arm, bending it at the elbow into a crook for me to slip my hand through. I hesitate. The moment is weighing on me, like this could change everything.