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I laugh, earning lance from Miller and pursed lips fro’ I reach down and sh to raised brows ‘Or ’

‘Sass,’ he says si his naked chest back to the assistant and riffling through the rasp ‘This will suffice’ He pulls out a lovely casual blue and white checked shirt, with rolled up sleeves and a pocket on each pec Carelessly yanking off the tags, he slips it on and walks away, leaving Miss Flirty ide eyes and s down, along with a hundred-dollar note, and walks out, fastening the buttons

I watch hi to‘Uht, ill-entleman

‘That was so rude!’ I exclaiht a shirt’ His arms fall to his sides, obviously flummoxed by my scorn It worries me that he’s so unaware of his odd ways

‘It’s the way you bought it,’ I retort, dropping my head back to look to the heavens for help

‘You mean I told the assistant what I’d like, she found it, I tried it on, and then paid for it?’

My head drops tiredly and I find a familiar impassiveness ‘Smart-arse’

‘I’ue with him, which I don’t, I wouldn’t win Old habits die hard

‘Do you feel better?’ I ask

‘It’ll do’ He brushes down the checked shirt and tugs at the heh ‘Where to next?’

His palm finds its favourite place on ht twist of his hand ‘The Brilliant Building Tih ‘And it’s this way’ I divert quickly, causing Miller to lose his hold, and take his hand ‘Did you know that ? Some of the ,’ Millerup to feel his dark stubbled jaw ‘Not as fascinating as you’

After a few hours roa Miller a history lesson on not just the Brill Building but also St Thoin to stroll down to Central Park We take our time, both of us silent as we amble leisurely down the centre of the tree-lined path, benches flanking both sides and peace engulfing us, leaving the concrete chaos behind Once we’ve crossed the road that cuts the park in half, dodged all of the runners, and descended the giant concrete stairs to the fountain, e of the giant water feature ‘There,’ he says, s downat his for round, his hand lifted to maintain our connection, while I tower above him I take small paces and watch as he slips his spare hand into the pocket of his jeans ‘How long do we need to stay here?’ I ask quietly, returning my eyes forward, mainly to ensure I don’t slip off the wall and a little to avoid what I knoill be a torn face

‘I’m not sure, Olivia’

‘I miss Nan’

‘I know you do’ He squeezes my hand, his attempt to reassure me It won’t work I know Willia to her welfare inthat is a worry for randmother about his history withup, I see a little girl skipping towardsstable than I ah rooasp when I’ her to skip on by, before I’e of the fountain My palms rest on his shoulders while he spends a few quietoutain ‘Do you trust me, Olivia?’

His question throws me, not because I doubt my answer, but because he hasn’t asked this since we arrived He hasn’t spoken about e’ve left behind in London, and that has been fine byall lunatic on Miller, Sophia warning me off, chains, sex for money

I’ve surprised myself how easy it has been to bury that so i soothing co myself with I know Miller has been a little baffled byI can’t see myself to voice, to Miller or even out loud totaken care of I’ now is the ties

‘Yes,’ I answer assertively, but he doesn’t look at e ently while I follow the curve of the fountain

‘And I trust you to share your troubles withboth ofup at me