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It doesn’t feel like enough, but they see it instantly, replying with words of relief.

Ash disappears back into the bathroom while I get myself organised. He comes out dressed for work in black jeans, boots, and a black tee that stretches tight across his muscles. He drops down beside me on the couch and pulls out a sleek black bag from underneath the coffee table. Quietly, he sets up a mirror, and then places another bag beside it, this one significantly smaller. He opens it, revealing bottles and brushes inside. Curiously, I watch as he dips his finger into the black makeup and drags it beneath one eye, slow and practiced. It creates dark shadows on his skin, sculpting his handsome face into something more sinister. He does the other side next, blending the makeup just enough to look messy.

‘I didn’t initially realise you painted on makeup,’ I murmur.

He glances at me in the mirror, the corner of his mouth twitching. ‘The mask covers most of it, and sometimes I don’t bother, but it usually looks better when I do.’

I watch the way his expression changes as he finishes painting, as if he is settling into character. Ash pulls on the mask next, tests the strap, then lifts it again to adjust the makeup once more, darkening some areas just a touch. He inches the mask up and nestles it on top of his head. He glances at me.

‘What?’

‘Nothing,’ I say, attempting and failing to hide my smile.

He leans forward, arching a brow, the black around his eyes making his gaze scarily darker.

‘You’re committed.’ I reach out and brush my thumb just beneath his eye, careful not to smudge anything.

‘For the record,’ I say softly, ‘you look sexy as hell like this.’

‘Yeah,’ he replies with a smirk. ‘I know.’

Rolling my eyes, I drop my hand and stand, my phone buzzing again in my pocket, another reminder of all the messages and life admin I’ve neglected. Behind me, Ash puts the mask back into place, looking brutal and deadly.

‘You heading out?’ he asks, standing to his full height and towering over me. ‘You’re welcome to stay. That would be my choice.’

‘I’d love to, but I need to go back to the apartment and the girls,’ I say, reluctant to leave, even though I know I need to. ‘I didn’t mean to worry anyone.’

He steps closer, lowering his voice. ‘You don’t owe anyone every minute of you.’

I look up at him. ‘Maybe not, but they care.’

He holds my gaze, something I can’t quite decipher flickering across his expression before he nods slowly.

‘Text me when you get home?’

‘Sure.’

We stand there for a long moment, reluctant to leave each other, as if for some reason we may never get this again. Ash leans in and presses a soft kiss to my temple.

‘Hey,’ he murmurs. ‘You’ll come back again, right?’

I smile, nodding. ‘Yeah. I plan to.’

He sweeps his mouth across mine and I moan into it. The kiss turns heated quickly as he presses me back against the wall, his hands cupping my face. My fingers trail down his chest and stomach before he reluctantly steps back, breathless.

He walks me to my car, despite the fact I’m probably going to make him late. As I drive off, he stands and watches, becoming smaller and smaller in my rear-view mirror. I don’t look away until I have to. The drive back feels longer than it should. My phone keeps buzzing in the cup holder – Tess, Elodie, missed calls stacked on top of messages – but I let it ring, deciding to deal with it all later when I have more motivation. I pull up in front of the apartment. Home. Or close enough. I barely get one foot inside the door before Tess appears.

‘Oh my God,’ she says, relief and irritation colliding on her face. ‘Bryn.’

Elodie appears behind her, arms crossed. Her expression is calmer, but her eyes are sharp.

‘I know,’ I say quickly, dropping my bag. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disappear.’

Tess pulls me into a hug. ‘You scared us.’

‘I know,’ I repeat, softer now. Guilt settles heavy in my stomach.

We migrate to the living room, and I collapse onto the lounge. Tess perches on the arm of the couch. Elodie curls into its corner, watching me with narrowed eyes.