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Chapter 166

I need a new angel
The touch of someone else
To save me from myself
I need a new angel
A touch I've never felt
Baby, can't you tell that

— Niall Horan, New Angel

. . . .

Violet's POV

After my final class of the day and stopping with a few friends to get lunch during my break, I drive back to the apartment to get my things along with George for my trip back home for Mason's birthday. Before leaving, I stop by Connor's studio that's about five minutes away from my building.

His blue Kia sedan is parked out front on the street. After leaving a window partially down for George, I get out and climb the white stone stairs out front. I press the buzzer with my thumb and wait for the receptionist to ask who's here. Once she knows it's me, the door is unlocked and I'm allowed entry. I say hi to her and make my way up the stairs to the second floor where Connor's rented studio is located. I tap my knuckles against the white wood and wait for him to allow me in.

He's seated at his easel on the right side of the room with the stand angled so his painting is facing the windows on a slant to provide more natural light to see everything properly. The clear sheet of plastic is seat out on the floor despite the floorboards having dried paint on each plank. His paints take up most of the small table he keeps beside him along with his brushes.

"Hey, babe," he says while focusing his attention on the top right corner of the canvas.

"Hey," I respond. "How's the painting going?"

"It's getting there," he sighs and sets his palette down. "I finally figured out that damned grayish blue shade."

I step over the dried puddle of red paint that Connor's assistant spilled yesterday. I take note of his speckled hands, arms, and clothes and keep my distance from getting myself also covered in paint.

"Good," I step closer and look at the painting. "Oh, you'll make your deadline. It's coming together nicely."

"You think so?"

"I do," I tell him and take another cautionary step closer to him. I put my hand on his shoulder and rest my chin on top of his head. "Are you sure you can't come back with me for Mason's birthday?"

"No, I can't. I have to meet this deadline or I won't be able to put any of my art in this exhibit."

"I know," I reply with a sigh. "I feel like we haven't been able to spend much time with each other."

"I promise that once I finish this painting, I'll spend some time with you."

He picks up his paintbrush again and returns to his painting. I take that as my signal to leave and hurry back to George who's sitting in the car. I kiss Connor goodbye and head back down to the car. George is sitting in the passenger seat with a wide smile on his face and his pink tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth. I pet him once I sit down in the driver's side then start the car for the three-hour drive.

I haven't been back home since the beginning of September. I miss my family a lot, and with my work as well as school, I don't get to make it home as often as I'd like to, but it'll be nice to have a few days to relax and spend time with them.

I get back home after waiting through a bit of traffic on the motorway. I pull up to Dad's house nearing four in the afternoon. While I'm waiting for George to relieve himself on a bush, my focus gets pulled from my phone letting Connor know I made it here okay to hands banging on the living room window. Mason is stood with the palms of his hands slapping against the glass and his soft voice yelling for me. Bonnie walks up behind him, the two of them smiling and waving at me.