‘You were supposed tokissme into vocabulary amnesia.’
‘Oncerevealed, a strategy expires.’
‘I knew you were bad news. Who’s responsible for the mess now?’
Charles grabs a kitchen roll from the closest shelving unit. He hands it to Loris, who’s such a lascivious vision, Charles turns away before another plan roars in his mind.
‘There’s a water point in there, right?’
He doesn’t wait for an answer to open the door, in need of a minute in the cold room anyway. He washes his hands under a hose coiled in a corner, then presses them against his burning cheeks.
Loris joins him, his jeans up but still undone. ‘This can’t become a habit.’
‘No, I won’t visit you at work in the future. It’s unsatisfying.’
‘Unsatisfying, sure.’
Loris flips the hose and Charles barely escapes the spurt.
Back on the couch, Loris offers to share the plate of samosas he kept in one of the fridges, but Charles is too buzzing to eat.
‘When are you off next?’ he asks, bringing Loris’ free hand onto his thigh, to follow and learn its exact shape.
‘Thursday.’
‘Can you save the evening for me?’
‘Another ambitious strategy?’
‘I’ll come up with something.’
‘Exciting... Yeah, it’s yours.’
Charles’ heart expands at the thought, and at all the thoughts he will have until then.
But as they settle into a comfortable silence, Charland issues an alert. For all the reassurance he got since they reunited, his tenacious angst-ridden naturemight keep on throwing most of his scenarios off course.
‘You haven’t answered my question.’
‘Which one?’
‘If you resent me. If my good looks will be enough to forever eclipse a grudge you’re holding.’
‘You’re still wondering?’
‘Anxious mess here.’
‘No, I don’t resent you. And I’ll tell you if you ever do something that outshines your looks. But try not to.’
Charles replies, ‘Alright,’ against Loris’ lips that taste like spices and genuine fondness. Then he tilts his head and frowns. ‘Hey, when will you finish readingThe Mind of Wondersto honour your end of the bargain?’
‘Unbelievable!’
Loris shoves a samosa into Charles’ grinning mouth.
Charles stays at the pub for another hour. He drinks a third beer and explains how his mindset evolved from his tormented voice note to his drunk strip-tease.
When Aliah texts Loris that she will be here soon, Charles gathers his things. He’s far from ready to have their developing relationship observed by anyone, let alone Loris’ friends.
