Chapter 8
Act I, Scene VIII: Cambio Clay, London
Kalina
I nstead of focusing on all my new responsibilities at work and planning Ted and Savi’s fast-approaching wedding, my mind dedicated all its energy into the lessons with Titan.
After our night out together, I wanted to message him about the next step in his plans, but what if he decided I was a lost cause and he didn’t know how to break it to me?
I replayed the night in my head countless times, and I wondered what would’ve happened if I’d reacted differently. Were his actions a test I’d failed? Should I have reciprocated or mirrored it?
Enough was enough.
I whipped my phone out and texted him.
Hi. What’s next on the agenda? Or are we done?
10:44
Hello…done? We’ve only had one session. Barely, more of a consultation.
10:45
Exactly. You didn’t say anything after the coffee shop. Or Friday night
10:45
Friday night?
10:45
Pool, ice cream, crowds of people, licking? Any of this ringing a bell?
10:46
Going to come back to the licking comment, but that wasn’t a session, dimples
10:46
I clearly wasn’t getting any better at this.
This is why I needed your help. I thought it was you showing me how to be flirty
10:46
...
10:46
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10:47
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10:48
Titan, what are you doing?
10:48
Sorry. Yes, new session. Tonight at 7
10:48
He wanted to kill me; I was sure of it.
Tonight? Why aren’t you giving me time to prepare?
10:49
You need to be yourself. I’ll pick you up
10:49
Not on your death bike. What must I wear?
10:49
Titan!
10:52
I will leave you out in the cold and not open the door
10:58
We need to work on your pre-date etiquette for sure ha-ha. Relax, I was talking to a client. Wear something comfortab le.
10:59
If I didn’t ace this dating thing by the end of tonight, then he was going to find himself on the receiving end of a very bad Google review.
Titan arrived precisely at seven p.m.
And I wasn’t ready when he showed up. I tugged on the hem of my dress as I yanked open the front door.
‘I’ll be done soon. I can’t believe I’m late. I’m so sorry, I’m never late. I need to find my jacket. Although, seeing you now, I’m rethinking it.’
From the black leather jacket to his dark blue jeans and black boots; he looked like he’d stepped out of some biker magazine.
‘Breathe, we’re not in a rush.’ He levelled me with a focused stare.
I couldn’t meet his gaze and looked at the helmet in his hand instead. ‘Didn’t we say no to the bike?’
‘I had to get here, but one day you’re going to beg me for a ride.’ His cheeky grin appeared.
‘Never going to happen.’
His grin spread wider. ‘Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it, dimples.’
My stomach flipped and a heat travelled down my body. I cleared my throat and shook my head. I walked to my bedroom and grabbed my coat and bag from my bed. Titan always teased me about his bike and this was like any of those times.
‘I’m not sure about your cream-coloured dress for tonight,’ he called out from the entryway.
I rushed to my open door and whipped my head around the frame. ‘What do you mean? You didn’t say anything about a colour scheme. You said comfortable.’
His laughter shook his shoulders and chest. ‘It’s fine. We can make it work.’
‘Tell me now. I can change.’
‘No. I want you to feel as comfortable and confident as possible, and if that’s the dress you chose, then leave it on.’
I brushed a palm down the front of the soft knit fabric. ‘It’s like wearing a blanket,’ I said, to myself.
His gaze followed the movement. ‘Leave the dress on.’
I swallowed hard at his tone. ‘Okay.’
Something lingered in his gaze; was it fascination? Confusion?
‘Shall we?’ He swept his arm out in front of him.
‘If only you’d tell me where we’re going.’ I shrugged on my coat and pulled on my boots.
‘Not a chance.’ He held the door open with his arm. ‘Is Scarlet here?’
‘No, she went out with some friends.’ I followed his gaze down the passage.
He opened his mouth, but seemed to think better of it.
‘She’s safe. She messages me whenever they stop somewhere and when she’s on her way home.’ I buttoned my coat as the cold evening air seeped into all the open spaces around my body.
‘Okay.’
‘Okay? That’s it?’ It wasn’t like Titan to be so accepting.
He raised an eyebrow. ‘What do you want me to say?’
‘I thought there’d be more pushback.’
‘You made me rethink my reactions. After our chat on Friday.’ He put his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
‘You’re taking advice from me ?’ I shut the door behind us.
‘Don’t get ahead of yourself.’ His tone was flat but his lips tugged up on one end.
‘You think I have good ideas,’ I sang, and skipped along the pavement.
‘You’re going the wrong way,’ he called out.
I backtracked towards him. ‘Wouldn’t be a problem if you told me where we’re going.’
‘Let me show you.’
He led the way as we walked to the tube.
I tried, and failed, to guess our destination. ‘Movies?’
‘No.’
‘Dinner?’
‘Kind of.’
‘I’m out of ideas.’
He shook his head. ‘Good. Enjoy the journey.’
‘You know I can’t.’
He smiled. ‘Do you want me to distract you?’
‘Sure.’
He pulled his phone from his pocket and showed me an email from Mae Dubois. I’d been to her stores, seen the campaigns, and her work was breathtaking.
‘This is so exciting.’ I handed the phone back.
‘It’s pretty exciting and I finally figured out what I want to do for the photo-shoot.’
‘Are you going to tell me?’
‘Uh… How do you feel about being photographed?’
I shook my head almost as soon as he’d asked. ‘Nope.’
‘You don’t even know what the idea is? Are you going to think about it?’
‘There’s nothing to think about. It would make me feel so uncomfortable, all the people, the lights. No.’ The thought of being in a room while everyone’s focus was on me made me shiver.
‘If it were just me?’
I chewed on my bottom lip. ‘Just you?’
He nodded. ‘Work for me and a lesson for you.’
‘Okay.’ We were friends? I could be professional. Besides, we hung out all the time now. It’d be so normal.
‘ Okay ? That’s it ?’ he teased.
‘Don’t make me change my mind.’
We got off at our stop and walked about halfway up the street.
‘We’re here,’ he said.
We’d stopped outside a building with a bright pink neon sign that said Cambio Clay .
‘Clay modelling?’
‘Painting.’
‘Interesting.’ I peeked through the window at the people chatting to each other while they were bent over their table with brushes in hand. ‘You’re relaxed when you’re busy with something and this is a fun activity to give you a buffer between conversations.’
How’d he figure out something like this? ‘You got all that from the coffee shop lesson?’
‘I got all of that from being around you.’
How…sweet. ‘Oh, thank you.’
‘You’re welcome, now let’s get inspired before my fingers freeze and I can’t paint.’ He opened the door and ushered me inside where warmth washed over us.
It wasn’t overly crowded or too noisy. The room was well-lit, and the organised shelves against the walls made me want to do a happy dance.
‘Hi there, welcome to Cambio Clay. Do you have a reservation?’ the hostess asked.
‘Yes, it’s under “dimples”.’ Titan couldn’t contain his smile.
‘I can’t believe you,’ I mumbled.
The hostess let out a little laugh. ‘Right this way.’
I glared at Titan as she led us to a table near the back.
‘You know you want to.’ He reached out and brushed my cheek with his knuckle.
‘No.’ I pursed my lips to stop myself from smiling and revealing my dimples, but my stomach fluttered at his touch.
‘It’s still showing.’
‘You are the worst,’ I said through gritted teeth.
‘Your waiter will be with you in a moment. Feel free to look around,’ the hostess said then left.
‘You’re a menace in public.’ I placed my coat over the back of my chair.
He pursed his lips. ‘You haven’t experienced me in private.’
‘Exactly what I’m talking about.’
‘I only do it to get a rise out of you.’ His smile was saccharine.
Our waitress walked up to the table and introduced herself. ‘Have either of you been here before?’
I shook my head.
‘Nope,’ Titan said.
‘Let me walk you through it.’ She showed us the shelves and explained the process to us, how we could choose an item, pick paint colours, and there would be menus on the table for us to order food and drinks. ‘I’ll come by the table once you’ve chosen something to take your order.’
She left us to mill around the infinite shelves.
‘I thought this was something you’d done before?’ I asked Titan.
‘No, I’m a clay painting virgin.’ The twinkle in his eye told me he held back with his reply.
‘Going to ignore that. I don’t know what to choose.’ The items ranged from small teacups to large platters.
‘Pick something for me, and I’ll do the same for you. Less pressure on the choosing and painting.’
‘Less pressure? It’s so much worse.’ I chewed the corner of my lip.
‘I’ll like anything you make.’
I chose a travel tumbler. ‘For your coffee. Better for the planet.’
Titan chose a serving dish. ‘You can think of me every time you use it.’
‘I’m going to paint this pink.’
‘I’ll love it even more,’ he gushed.
We walked to the next shelves to pick paint—I chose yellow and white instead of pink—before heading to our table.
‘What made you choose this place?’ I asked.
He hesitated for a moment before answering me. ‘I asked around, and this seemed like something you’d enjoy. It was this or an escape room.’
‘Good choice. Confined and locked spaces don’t sound like a good idea for a date.’
‘You’re making this far too easy.’ He smirked.
‘Your mind is filthy.’
He laughed and pulled out my seat at our table. ‘You don’t even want to know what it’s like up here.’ He tapped his temple.
I didn’t say out loud how fascinated I was by it. Maybe being inside his head was what I needed to get better at this dating thing? It clearly worked for him.
We ordered a platter of snacks to share—after I’d proven to Titan I did indeed have my lactase on me—then started painting.
The waitress assured me the paint would wash out if I spilled any but was kind enough to offer me an apron.
I sketched sunflowers with a pencil before going in with the paint.
‘Would this fall under date etiquette in the Agreement?’ I asked.
‘I’m still trying to find a baseline.’ He picked up two different pots of green paint, mentally weighing the options before choosing the deeper shade. It was the one I’d have chosen. ‘But, from the time we’ve spent together, I can’t pinpoint what the issue is and why you need these lessons in the first place.’
‘Makes two of us.’
He paused mid brushstroke. ‘Tell me what a typical date looks like to you.’
I thought about it while he continued painting, giving me a moment where I wasn’t being scrutinised by his gaze. ‘It usually starts well. The guys seem interested initially, then it’s downhill from there. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Maybe I talk too much? Or ask the wrong questions. I rarely, if ever, get asked on a second date.’
He shook his head in disbelief. ‘Can’t be.’
‘It’s true. I’ve misread people’s cues before too. I do it with you all the time.’
He paused. ‘You do?’
‘Yes, the cream cheese frosting, the melting ice cream. I don’t know how to act around food apparently.’
He let out a laugh that shook his shoulders. ‘You’re fine.’
As if on cue, the snacks and drinks arrived, but I was too invested in the painting.
Titan dipped a strawberry in some chocolate and held it out to me.
I shook my head. I didn’t want to recreate the same scenarios. ‘No way.’
‘Stop overthinking it. If anything, you can use it to your advantage.’
‘Are you Lady and the Tramping me?’ I leaned forward and wrapped my lips around the strawberry, intentionally brushing them against his fingers as I took a bite.
He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat.
He said one thing, but did another. Maybe he was trying not to hurt my feelings.
‘Your turn,’ he said.
‘What?’
‘You try it now.’ He rested his chin on his fist.
I set down the tumbler and wiped my hands on the front of the apron. I mirrored his actions; picking up a strawberry, dipping it in the chocolate, then leaned over the table to offer it to him.
His gaze didn’t leave mine as he leaned forward and took a bite.
My gaze was glued to the way his lips curved at the edges, like he was trying not to smile. The way those lips brushed my fingers, and the feeling it sent down low in my belly.
‘Happy?’ I sat back.
‘Extremely.’
I didn’t look at him again as I tried my best to focus on my hands and the lines I painted. I had to redo them thrice.
When we’d finished, the waitress came around to explain what happened next. ‘You’ll leave your items to be glazed and fired, then we’ll let you know when you can collect it.’
‘It’s so pretty,’ I said, and leaned over to get a better look at the monstera leaves Titan had painted. ‘You’re quite talented.’
‘You sound surprised?’
‘Not what I meant.’ I shook my head.
‘I know. I’m teasing you.’
Warmth creeped into my cheeks. He knew how to rile me up and did it at every opportunity, but I didn’t hate it.
‘Would you like a photo with your work?’ the waitress asked.
Titan looked at me.
‘Yes.’ I admired the sunflowers on the side of the tumbler. The mixture of yellow and green was striking.
He handed his phone to her and she snapped a shot of us holding our pieces proudly.
‘You two are such a cute couple.’
‘I…uh…’
‘We’re…’ Titan stammered.
‘Not a couple,’ I finished.
‘Oh, so sorry.’
‘No need to apologise, it’s not the worst assumption,’ Titan said.
My face would remain red if he kept this up.
The waitress awkwardly stretched out the bill, moving from Titan to me and back to Titan. He grabbed it before she could swing it my way again.
‘I thought it was my turn?’
‘This was my idea.’ He reached for his card.
‘The Agreement was mine and you already pay for Scarlet’s half of the rent even though I told you it’s no’
‘Okay, next time.’ He smiled.
The Tube-ride and walk back to my house was silent, and our breaths came out in little puffs in front of us.
‘Thank you for tonight,’ I said as we reached the steps outside my door.
‘It’s my pleasure.’
I let him in to grab his helmet.
‘I had a really nice time.’ I fidgeted with my keys.
‘Me too.’
‘Do you think the lessons are working?’
Titan ran a hand through his hair before letting out an exhale. The movement had done nothing to disrupt his perfectly styled golden locks. They bounced back right back into place.
‘It’s that bad?’
‘Kalina, I told you; I don’t think you need my help. You’re accomplished, you’re pretty, and you’re fun to be around.’
My cheeks heated and I looked down at my boots. ‘Thank you. Still doesn’t explain why I’m single.’
‘I don’t have an answer either.’
‘Reassuring.’ I met his gaze.
‘I’m not giving up on it. Now get some sleep. There are wedding events this week and I still have some lessons planned.’
‘And the photo-shoot?’
‘I’ll tell you about it closer to the time so you don’t freak out in advance.’ He turned to leave.
‘I’m still going to freak out,’ I called after him.
‘Goodnight, dimples,’ he said over his shoulder.
‘Night, Titan.’
He didn’t need to know I did the complete opposite of going to bed, and got comfortable under the covers with a book instead. It was a new romance novel I’d been dying to finish, but once Scarlet came home it took me no time at all to fall asleep.
The plot continued in my dreams, and was so vivid and intense, it felt real. I found myself in the role of the main character—light blue regency dress included.
Albert, the love interest, had kissed the main character in the chapter I’d been reading, and they were in a deserted meadow lying in the grass. Now, he was kissing me. His lips met the skin along my collarbone and down the front of the thin chiffon fabric. This was probably not how the book was progressing in real life, but I wasn’t complaining as he pushed the hem of my dress up and kissed his way up my legs, between my thighs, then he licked me, long and slow, making me moan. My body responded to his touch, my breaths came out in shallow bursts as he savoured my skin, my warmth and my taste with his tongue. I squeezed his shoulder and he leaned up over me, gazing into my face.
‘Albert…’ I murmured. In my dream, and possibly out loud in my half-asleep state.
Only it wasn’t Albert.
It was Titan.
I woke up with a start, my hair matted and my skin slick with sweat. I shook my head and tried slowing my racing heart.
I laid back against the sheets, unable to fall asleep again.