I Want You

Chapter Four

We were sat in the studio a week later after the whole Benjamin situation. And when I say we I mean Jenny, Benjamin and myself.

She'd agreed to be Benjamin's model and he had asked to work in the studio because his place was always busy. So now I sat down working on my own thing while Jenny giggled and not so subtly hit on Benjamin.

All of it was getting on my nerves. Right now I needed some quiet and I wasn't going to get it apparently.

When the knock on the door came they didn't even acknowledge it so it was me who had to open it. Relief swept through me when I saw Armand standing on the other side, grin on his face and holding up a paper bag and coffee in his hands.

"Hello beautiful, hope you're not too busy. I swear I won't take much of your time." Armand kissed my lips and walked inside, when he noticed I wasn't alone he greeted them with a quick wave of a hand and a "hi" then turned his attention to me.

"This is for you. I know you've been here all day and you probably haven't even smelled food." He placed the paper bag on the table and the coffee beside it.

"You didn't have to, thanks." I took a sip from the cup and found out it wasn't coffee, it was tea.

"I don't want my girl fainting while she works. It's looking great by the way." He said peering over me to look at my work.

"Thanks." I grinned. "Apart from your need to feed me, to what do I owe this lovely visit?"

He tapped my nose with his finger when he saw me batting my eyelashes at him in an exaggerated manner.

"My nephew, well my friend's son is having a birthday party this weekend, he's turning ten, and we're invited. So what do you say?" Armand looked at me with hope in his eyes.

Going to this party meant finally meeting those important to him, it meant they were all going to be watching me and judging if I was good enough for him. But him inviting me meant he cared and he wanted me to go with him. He genuinely liked spending time with me and the look in his eyes made my heart melt. How could I say no to that?

"I'd love to."

I laughed as he picked me up and spun me around once and then proceeded to kiss me the way someone shouldn't be kissed when there's an audience.

"They're going to love you. It's going to be so much fun. Caleb loves art and I'm sure you'll get along just fine."

"I hope so." I smiled up at him. "Are your grandparents going to be there?"

"I think so. They practically are Seth's, that's my friend, second parents. But don't worry, they'll love you."

"I hope so." I repeated. "How should I dress?"

"Whatever you're comfortable in. You always look amazing and it's not a fancy birthday party."

"So sweat pants and a hoodie will do?" I tried to keep a straight face as he tried to come up with a reply.

"Well, yes. That could work, I mean... if you're comfortable and-"

"I'm kidding Armand. I will not embarrass you like that."

"You'll never be an embarrassment to me. If you wear sweat pants I'll wear them too. They're comfortable." He shrugged.

"Don't worry though, I'll wear something appropriate." I smiled and reached up to place a quick kiss to his lips.

"Alright. Well love, I've got to go now. We can have dinner together? My place?"

He'd never invited me to his house before and I couldn't help but feel excited about it.