The Art of Living

By Cassidy Ryan

It's time to stop running and start living again.

Gus had been living life under the radar, hiding from ex-turned-stalker Michael. He'd been running for a long time, and had had to cut ties with everything and everyone he knew—including his family.

It was a lonely, frightening existence, until he met the guys at the studios. With his dog, Zephyr, and his new, makeshift family, he has found some kind of peace. Though his new life is far from perfect, he is content.

Then he meets Brodie, and soon Gus wants to shake things up and take back his life.

But Michael isn't ready to give up on Gus yet, and he isn't going to let anybody stand in his way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Sep 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781786514578

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The Art of Living

ISBN # 978-1-78651-457-8

©Copyright Cassidy Ryan 2016

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright August 2016

Edited by Rebecca Scott

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2016 by Pride Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Pride Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

Arts & Hearts

THE ART OF LIVING

Cassidy Ryan

Book two in the Arts & Hearts series

It’s time to stop running and start living again.

Gus had been living life under the radar, hiding from ex-turned-stalker Michael. He’d been running for a long time, and had had to cut ties with everything and everyone he knew—including his family.

It was a lonely, frightening existence, until he met the guys at the studios. With his dog, Zephyr, and his new, makeshift family, he has found some kind of peace. Though his new life is far from perfect, he is content.

Then he meets Brodie, and soon Gus wants to shake things up and take back his life.

But Michael isn’t ready to give up on Gus yet, and he isn’t going to let anybody stand in his way.

Dedication

For Rebecca, with thanks.

Trademarks Acknowledgment

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Jiminy Cricket: The Walt Disney Company

Disney: The Walt Disney Company

Charlie’s Angels: Spelling-Goldberg Productions/Columbia Pictures Television

James Bond: Ian Fleming, Eon Productions

Pussy Galore: Ian Fleming, Eon Productions

Jaguar: Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Motors Limited

Land Rover: Tata Motors Limited

The Sound of Music: Rogers and Hammerstein

Sherlock Holmes: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Chapter One

Gus, hey, Gus. There was a rush of footsteps, and a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. He spun around, taking a backwards step at the same time, leaving him a little unbalanced.

What? he exclaimed in alarm. Damn. It’s been nearly a year—will I ever get used to hearing that name? He smiled sheepishly when he saw his friend Drew staring wide-eyed at him, holding his hand up like it had been burned.

Sorry, Drew. Gus huffed a laugh that was more relief than humor. I—uh, I was miles away.

Clearly, Drew replied, looking a little confused. I was just… I wanted to change my lunch order to a veggie wrap, yeah?

Jamie’s still got you on a short leash? Gus teased, but his heart was still beating a tad too fast.

Drew smiled and shrugged. She’s my very own Jiminy Cricket.

That pulled a real laugh from Gus. Drew’s four-year-old, ball-of-energy daughter had had him on his toes ever since she’d learned about good nutrition at nursery.

Veggie wrap it is, Gus said. Have you seen Annie around?

She said something about a meeting with a new client, Drew replied. I don’t think she’ll be back for lunch.

Yeah? Good for her. Gus blushed when he realized how patronizing that must have sounded. I mean, for her business, you know?

Drew tipped his head to the side, and he narrowed his eyes. Are you okay?

Aside from feeling like an idiot? Yes, sure, of course. He felt the heat in his cheeks burn, and jerked a thumb over his shoulder. I’ll just… Nice man bun, by the way.

Drew’s eyes flicked up as if he could see his own dark hair, caught up in a messy bun. Uh, thanks, I guess. He was looking more baffled by the second.

But before Drew could say anything further, Gus hurried off toward the stairs and descended them two at a time. It was only when he reached the bottom and glanced at the phone in his hand that he realized he’d intended to phone the lunch order in before heading down to collect it.

Alone in the foyer, with the muffled sound of music drifting down the stairs, Gus let his head fall forward and took a deep breath.

What the hell was that? Hadn’t he put the days of jumping at his own shadow behind him?

Okay, enough of that, he said, voice firm and, giving himself a mental shake, he squared his shoulders and raised his chin, hoping to translate looking composed into feeling that way.

The blast of chilly wind that hit him when he stepped outside the main door of the studios was bracing, so Gus took a moment to enjoy the late autumn day.

In those last days of October, the cobbled lane in which the building stood—just behind the bustling main street of Glasgow’s West End—was sparsely populated. The bars and restaurants had taken in the pavement tables that were so prized in the summer months, and it was a little too cold for the usual window shoppers to linger outside the independent boutiques and gift shops.

Gus appreciated the peace. It was easier to see potential danger when there was no crowd for it to hide in.

When his heart rate had returned to its normal rhythm, Gus stepped away from the doorway and walked the few steps to The Backstreet Bean. He hated that he couldn’t fight the urge to scan the lane, just once more.

The Bean, owned by Asa Lennox—who also owned the studios upstairs—and run by his younger sister Erin, was busy no matter what time of year it was, and Gus felt a bit exposed as he crossed from the glass door to the serving counter in the corner. He wished he’d phoned the order in, as was the norm, but for some reason he couldn’t fathom, today didn’t feel normal. Something felt…off, somehow, but for the life of him he couldn’t think what.

Hey, sweetheart, what can I get you?

Gus realized he’d drifted off when he was startled by Erin’s greeting. Oh, hi, Erin. Just the lunch order, thanks. He dug the piece of paper he’d scribbled on out of his pocket and handed it over.

Sure thing, but why didn’t you just call and I would have let you know when it was ready to pick up? she asked, a smile lighting up her pretty face.

Gus shrugged and tucked his hands into the pockets of his jeans. I-I just felt like a breath of air, so…

Well, okay then, sweetie, Erin replied, glancing over the hastily written list. I’ll have this ready in no time, why don’t you have a seat while you wait?

Gus nodded