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“You’re right, and I’m over taking responsibility for things that I can’t control.” Lucy owed Niall for that. Whatever happened between them, she’d always be grateful he’d challenged her to face and defeat her demons.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“I’m glad.” Niall hadworked on a bare bones’ explanation for his actions. After all, a man who’d behaved as stupidly as he had still had his pride. Pulling off the exhibition had given his confidence in his craft and his future a sugar hit. Having her within touching distance mattered more. Her searing honesty allowed him to find his own. “You need to know why I was unhappy.”

“I’ve been afraid I’ll hurt the people I love.” She believed she’d hurt him.

Did that also mean she loved him?

He continued. “This story might take some time.”

“I’m guessing you’re in charge of locking up here,” she said. “So we’ve got the time.”

“Can I pour you another drink?” He shuffled sentences in his head.

“No more bubbles for me on an empty stomach. That’s part of why the evening with Clem and Kelly went pear-shaped.” Her mouth quirked up at one corner.

“I sent the caterer’s leftovers home with Kate and Anna. But I can offer you something to eat.” He reached into the chill box at his side and produced two farmhouse sandwiches. “No plates, I’m sorry.”

“After the handblown French flutes, I expected Qing dynasty porcelain.” She was teasing him, defusing the tension that hovered, and he fell in love all over again.

“They were chipped. Didn’t suit the ambience I was creating.” He’d start looking for some next week.

“Why are we having this conversation here?”

“The table,” Niall admitted. “It’s part of our story, and it’s being shipped out at the end of the exhibition. I miss it already. Plus, we’ve got privacy in a neutral venue.”

“Hardly neutral,” she contradicted him. “Being surrounded by your work gives you the advantage.”

“Is that so?” He’d called in every favour his family owed him, and scattered even more IOUs, to gain this advantage.

“You know it’s so. Pass me a sandwich.”

“I put pickle on yours.” He shook out a serviette, then handed a wrapped sandwich across the table. “I cut it in quarters.”

“You were feeling pretty confident I’d come,” she said.