Hung (Under Revision)

30: Keep Her

Liam

Fucking hell. Time. Why does Skye need time? Isn't it obvious to her how much I care about her? How much I need her in my life?

Doesn't she see she didn't need the job with Kelso?

I want to touch more than her hand. Can I? Or will that just piss her off?

It's killing me having her this close to me, close enough I can smell her flowery shampoo. I want to pull her into me and bury my face in her hair.

Maybe if I kiss her, she'll understand how I feel. I don't know how to make her understand the way I feel about her. But it's a risk too big even for me, if it pissed her off, I'd lose her for good. Whereas right now, it seems like I have a chance.

I just have to keep her from leaving. To keep her talking. And I'm not letting go of her hand for anything.

It seems like she's shut down. I stop talking, ready to start again if she makes a motion to leave. Her face isn't giving away any hints of what she's thinking. I'd hate to play a game of poker against her. Although whatever it is we're doing now has higher stakes than any poker game I've ever played.

"I know your head's swimming right now, but I really am running that article."

Skye's eyes widen.

"You are?" Her voice is dull, its normal spark missing.

"I am. But I think I'll run it in the magazine for my new company instead of this one."

"New company?"

"Yesterday I changed my mind about Kelso. I'm tired of fucking around with him. I've already instructed Julie to fuck him as long and as hard in the courts as we can. It's going to take years. In the meantime, I'm starting a separate company. It'll be great. All boutique hotels, in business and exotic locations that'll attract a fiercely loyal following." My throat burns as I speak. I'm thinking on my feet here. She'd better not think I'm fucking babbling.

"I'm going to feature you in that magazine. Hell, I'll put you in both. Do you want to be in both? No, wait. The new hotels are going to need lots of original artwork in them." I take a deep breath, hoping this works. I need it to sound professional for her "The company would like to commission you to create artwork for each of the new hotels. And to make prints of the pieces to use in the bedrooms."

The color has returned to her face, the shine back in her eyes. It encourages me to continue.

"We can negotiate the number and cost, you don't even have to deal with me. Everything can go through my head of procurement."

Skye smiles. "Maybe I want to deal with you."

It's music to my fucking ears. Do I consider that acceptance? Hell yes. I stand, ready to pull her into my arms until the end of time, when her phone rings.

"You should get that," I say. I take a quick glance at my watch and smile.

By the time she roots around in her purse and pulls the phone out, the ringing had ended.

"Missed it," she says, shrugging.

"Is there voicemail? It might be important," I say.

"I'll check."

Watching the delicate way her fingers tap the screen makes me long for them to touch me.

She holds the phone to her ear. As she listens, her hand flies to her mouth and tears wet her cheeks. Finally her arm moves from her ear and she lets the phone drop onto the table.

"Everything okay?" I ask, moving to her side. From her reaction, I assume her mother has followed through on her promise to me.

Skye looks up at me with fresh tears in her eyes, and says, "That was my mom. She said she was interviewed for an article this morning and that she's proud of me."