Page 94 of In the Frame

“Did you buy the Rose in the end?” I swallow. “I was ill. Like, a hospital outpatient sort of ill because of my depression and anxiety. Mum said not to bring up the topic of the Rose around me when I wasn’t feeling well, according to my friends. So, my friends didn’t tell me what happened. I mean, I saw the Sold sign in the window. But… I didn’t know if it was you.”

“Matty…” His face crumples, stricken. His grip tightens. “You should have told me. I wish I would have known. I’m so sorry.”

I shake my head. “You couldn’t have changed anything.”

“It might not have changed anything, but… I care about you. Very much.”

I just nod, swallowing hard. I squeeze back. “I know. But… tell me what happened.”

“Yes, I did buy the Rose,” Florian confesses. “After surveys. After a lot of soul-searching.”

“You did it for Gabriel?”

“Yes. And… this may also sound mad, but I did it for you too.”

I shake my head slowly, frowning. “I don’t understand.”

He’s still holding my hand, and he waits for me to take a breath. At my nod, Florian explains. “I went through with the sale in the end. I wrestled with it. Whether to cancel the sale. Knowing how upset you were over this. How much the Rose means to you and your friends. I heard about the rally. I saw the stories on social media, and I confess I worried when I saw pictures of the event and I didn’t see you there. I recognized some of your friends from the wedding.”

I nod, holding my breath.

Florian licks his lips. Steadies himself with another breath. “I bought it, but I’m not redeveloping it into flats.”

Startled, I blink. And stare. “You’re turning it into a luxe hotel?” I dare ask.

He laughs. “No. There isn’t planning permission for that. At least, not as part of the sale. Like I said, I debated whether to buy it. And I decided to upgrade the facilities, to bring them to a modern standard. There needs to be all kinds of work that’s been put off, according to the survey, not least of all the electrical. And keep its current use, maybe with a pub again or restaurant, I’m not sure. We’ve agreed to lease again with the art collective. Everyone keeps their studio and the gallery without another developer swooping in who would redevelop the site since it was in such poor condition. I thought maybe there’s another way to save the Rose.”

I’m wide-eyed, unable to believe my ears.

“Especially,” he says softly, so softly in the din of the bar I almost don’t hear him, “if I wanted any chance in the future with you again.”

Part of me melts and wants to reach across the table and kiss him. But part of me’s troubled. “What about Gabriel?”

“I’ll find another way to help Gabe. But I can’t help him and hurt you at the same time. Or vice versa. I’m covering his bills for now, but I’ll find a better way. He wants to help save the Rose too. That he can help with some of the regular operations and plans for its restoration. Part-time.”

I take another deep breath and squeeze his hand. It’s incredible to have him so close again. Part of me was losing my nerve after he agreed to meet so quickly. Like what if I’d built Florian up to some impossible standard in my head? But here he is, being himself, and being vulnerable, and it’s everything. “Thanks for letting me know all of this. This means so much to me.”

“Tell me more about how you’ve been, Matty. I want to know.” He leans in.

“At first, bad. I wasn’t well at all. I thought I was fine, but I totally lost it. I wanted to hurt myself. And it was psychiatric care time. But… I got better. I learned how to take care of myself more, learned that I need to navigate depression and anxiety and anxiety attacks. That I’m not a disaster. Once I started getting my feet under me again, I started painting again. Just a little. And it actually feels good? I’ve just moved back to London, not too far from here, and I have a different job, selling art supplies, which is less stressful.”

He smiles affectionately at me. “You’ll be so good at that.”

I smile back, continuing. “I’ve got a therapist. And… I’m working towards happy. For the record, seeing you makes me very happy. I can’t believe you’re here with me,” I confess. “Because… I need you to know I love you. And… I want to be in love with you.”

Florian beams at me. “I want you and love you so much, Matty. I know it was fast, last summer. But I fell hard. Maybe I’m a romantic at heart. You’ve changed me in a better way. I’ve been practicing my drawing since that time you showed me. Just silly little things. Drawing around the house. Drawing the garden. My sketches are truly appalling. But I’m trying. I went and bought watercolors, but I have no idea what to do with them.”

“Florian,” I murmur and gesture for him to come sit beside me on the sofa as my heart melts. I pat the space beside me. “Come here.”

Obligingly, Florian slips around the round table and into the curl of my arm. He leans into me for a moment, and then we’re kissing lingeringly despite the busy cocktail bar, and at last, I feel hope again.

Chapter Fifty-Two

The next morning, I wake up in Florian’s arms at his home. And it’s the most incredible feeling. I’ve wanted him, and now I’m here, and I can’t believe it. A slow smile spreads across my face.

Today, I have the day off. Last night, I texted my mum that I was well, as I’ve messaged her every night since I moved back to London. But now, all I want to do is lie here with Florian forever. Which, the practical part of me realizes, isn’t feasible, but a boy can dream.

Eventually, we get up after a slow start, quite possibly following a distraction or two. Florian tells me he needs to call in on Gabriel this morning and asks if I want to meet him properly this time. And of course, I say yes.