Page 18 of Tiger By the Tail
We had a productive meeting, bringing in Mason—our newly promoted head designer—to talk about custom graphics he’d be creating for us. He and Roy, different as they were, got along well, and it was wonderful to watch the two men burst with creativity.
At the end of our meeting, Mace stood up and stretched his long body with a tiny groan. “When do you need this?”
“I won’t be in the office next week, so the week after?”
He nodded. “Can do. Say hi to your sisters from me.” With a wink, he left my office.
My sisters had visited me two years before, and I’d brought them to the office, not wanting two seventeen year old girls on the loose in Kirkmuir. Ava and Isla had been infatuated with Mace, who was ten years their senior. Mason—bless his heart—had treated them with the patience of a saint. Seeing him interact with them had reminded me more of an old dog surveying two over-eager puppies chasing his tail than anything else.
Ever since then, our relationship had been more than just professional. We clicked, occasionally hung out, sometimes went partying, especially when one or both of his brothers, who lived in Broomshire, were in town.
“I won’t get to—I mean, you’re not going to be in next week?” Roy’s question pulled me out of my thoughts.
“What? No, sorry, my baby sisters are turning nineteen. I’m going home for the week.”
“Where’s home?”
“Brighton.”
“Oh, cool.”
I didn’t know what to say. He looked put out.
“Listen, I’m sorry. I know the project is important, but I really want to—”
“It’s not the project. I just like our meetings.” His eyes were fixed on his clasped hands, and I was sure his face would have turned red if it hadn’t been covered in fur.
“Me too.”
He looked up, a tender expression on his features that didn’t match our business relationship before his mask slid back in place.
“Enjoy it. I hope you have a good time, Kat.”
“Thank you. How about I swing by your office on the Wednesday after I get back?”
He dipped his huge head. “Great idea.”
***
Mace sent me the first drafts early the day after my sisters’ birthday. I’d gotten up early as usual, taken my laptop down to the kitchen, and had brewed myself a large cup of coffee. The sun was rising over the sea, bathing everything in its soft orange and pink light, as I sat down at Mum’s dining table that overlooked the Channel.
The drafts were fantastic. He’d used the photos from the latest shoot to create banners, social media pictures, and custom ads, picking a palette that complemented the unique colouring of each of the models. The four men looked dashing.
“Wow, who’s that?” Ava peeked over my shoulder at my screen, eyebrows drawn up and lips pursed in an exaggerated sign of approval. I hadn’t heard her come in, having been too focused on the banner featuring Roy.
“My client. Don’t be nosy.”
“He’s fucking hot, Kat. Can I see the others?”
“Language,” I chided her only half seriously.
“Come on.” My sister took the chair next to me, and flung an arm around my shoulders. “Please. You’re my favourite big sister.”
“I’m your only big sister.” I couldn’t help but laugh. I loved the twins so much. They’d been my parents’ let’s-try-and-fix-our-marriage-babies. Needless to say, that hadn’t worked.
Dad had still moved out, which had, ultimately, been a wonderful decision for our family. Not having to be around each other all the time had definitely helped. After their divorce, Mum and Dad had co-parented in a fairly civilised way, and I’d gotten the siblings I’d always wanted out of it.
Heaving a fake sigh, I showed Ava the rest of the graphics Mason had sent.