“Long, it never gets any easier.”
“Damn, you look good,” Megan tells her.
She’s right. Erinislooking good; everything about her scream’s health and wealth.
“Yeah, I’ve been working on me lately.” She smooths her hair, giving us a small smile.
“It shows,” I tell her, checking out her designer bag dangling on her arm.
* * *
“So,how long are you here for?” Luce asks, looking at Erin from the other side of the coffee table.
We decided to order in Chinese. The girls couldn’t stay long with Lucy having an early start in the morning, and I want to get back to Mason’s so I can sleep. Even after my nap I am knackered.
“Two weeks,” says Erin, sucking in a noodle.
“Your mum?” I ask, “How is she? Is someone with her, or is she okay on her own now?” I give her a sad smile.
She drops her fork and I regret my question immediately.
I’ve made her uncomfortable. I know how much she has struggled with her mother’s health—I shouldn’t have brought it up.
“Uh, yeah, she is doing better, actually.”
“That’s good. Do you think you could come home soon?” I ask.
“No,” she looks into her container. “I think I want to stay in Australia now.”
I frown as I watch her, but she doesn’t meet my eyes.
Why do I feel like she is lying?
“I don’t blame you. Aus looks good on you,” Megan says, clinking her glass with Erin’s.
“Thanks,” she smiles. “Hey, you!” she perks up as she turns to look at me, changing the subject and the atmosphere instantly. “Are you going to tell me about this hot sex you are missing out on tonight?”
“Oh, you have no idea,” Lucy waves her fork in the air, her eyes closed and a dreamy look on her face. “He isfit!”
“Nuh-uh, you can go first today.” I eye Lucy.
“Oh, fuck off already. It was just sex!”
“In my apartment! And it’s never just sex with you.”
“This time it was. I don’t even know his name.”
“You slut!” I shout, my mouth dropping wide as the girls all fall into a fit of giggles.
* * *
The girls have not long left,but Erin is still here. She’s stood at my sink washing the few dishes we used, even though I told her she didn’t have to.
“Thank you for this evening. It’s been just what I needed,” she tells me, smiling back over her shoulder.
“Of course, it’s good to have you home. Where are you staying anyway?”
“The Hilton.”
