Page 38 of Total Creative Control

After Lewis had showered and changed, he found himself dithering outside Toni’s door, staring at the wordHeartscrolling across it in dusky pink paint. From inside came the soft sounds of music and slightly off-key singing. Toni would probably already have the bath running. Truth was, had Lewis really intended on dragging her along on this jaunt, he’d have asked herbeforehe spent half an hour dithering—again—over which sweater looked best with his black jeans. He tugged at the sleeves of his burgundy cashmere, the one Mason had once told him brought out the blue in his eyes.

Well, he had to ask her to come along. If for no other reason than Aaron would know if he lied about it, and that would send a signal that he couldn’t afford to send. Lewis was all too aware of his and Aaron’s relative positions, of the power relationship between them. The last thing he wanted was Aaron imagining that Lewis was engineering a situation, especially in light of Charlie’s fucking stupid comment about Aaron being Lewis’s boyfriend.Ugh.

So, he’d leave the decision in the lap of the gods. If Toni fancied fish and chips, so be it.

He rapped on the door.

Abruptly, the music switched off. There were some frantic shuffling and rustling sounds. Then the door cracked open, and Toni’s face appeared in the narrow gap.

At least, he assumed it was her face.

She was dressed in a fluffy pink dressing gown with the Telopix logo embroidered on the lapel, her hair wrapped in a matching pink towel, and she peered warily from behind a bright orange face pack. “Oh, it’s you.” She sagged in relief as the door opened more widely to reveal a rumpled bed and a large packet of Monster Munch poorly hidden beneath the duvet. “I thought it was Charlie, checking up on the fasting.”

Lewis raised his eyebrows. “You look…”

“Don’t say it,” she interrupted. “But if he’s not going to feed us, I’m at least making use of the complimentary toiletries.” She pointed at her face. “This is going to de-oxidize and re-energize my face using the power of organic goji berries and pomegranate.”

“It’s doing a passing impression of Donald Trump, too.”

She rolled her eyes. “Costs thirty quid, usually. I googled it.”

“I’m guessing,” he said, very aware of the jumping excitement in his chest, “that you’re not up for a three-mile hike to the chippy.”

Toni laughed. “You guess right, my friend.” Her eyes narrowed behind the orange goop on her face. “You and Aaron escaping for the night?”

It would be ridiculous, and unnecessary to lie. So he said, “Yep. It was his idea.”

“He’s a gem.”

“One I’m keeping.”

“Hmm,” Toni said.

And Lewis didn’t have time for whatever thoughts were brewing behind that ridiculous face pack. “Enjoy your Pot Noodle,” he said. “I’ll see you tomorrow at seven. God help us.”

He headed down the corridor, towards Aaron’s room, as Toni’s voice drifted after him, “Don’t do anything you’ll regret in the morning!”

He lifted a hand in acknowledgment but didn’t turn around or slow until he heard the click of her closing door. Then he let out a breath and paused for a moment in the middle of the empty corridor.

Nothing’s going to happen.

That was a fact because Lewis wasn’t going toletanything happen. Given his position of authority, it would be inexcusable to allow it. So, that was that. No need for dithering or doubting. They were going to walk into town, get some food, and walk back.

That. Was. It.

Somewhat settled by that conviction, Lewis went to knock on Aaron’s door.

Aaron opened it immediately, as if he’d been waiting. Knowing Aaron, he had been. He wasn’t one for being late when he could be five minutes early.

Unfortunately, Lewis’s certainty about the evening took a bit of a knock at the sight of Aaron’s shower-tousled hair, skinny jeans, and slim-fitting pink shirt. Aaron didn’t wear his sexuality on his sleeve, but neither did he try to hide it. He was honest about himself in an understated but confident way. Lewis liked that about him.

“Ready?” Aaron said, pulling the door closed behind him.

“Yeah, let’s get out of here.”

As he locked the door, Aaron said, with admirable nonchalance, “No Toni?”

“Nope. Last seen in a face pack and dressing gown with a giant packet of Monster Munch.”