She drops her fork and I regret my question immediately.
I’ve made her uncomfortable. I know how much she’s 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’s 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’re 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’s 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.”
Shit. That’s expensive. “Perfect, it’ll be nice to have another female around the studio for a change, that’s for sure.” I force a smile.
“I bet. How old are the boys again?”
“Too young for you!” I laugh, and she shakes her head, tutting. “Erin, I’m sorry for bringing up your mum before, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Don’t be silly, it’s fine.”
“I know, but I don’t believe you. I think you were lying earlier.”
“What?” She freezes, her hands pausing on the glass she’s washing.
“You don’t want to live in Australia permanently, do you? If you could come home you would, right?”
She drops the glass onto the drainer and turns to me, a sad smile on her face. “In a heartbeat.” She looks to the ground, rolling her lips as if she wants to say more. “Sorry, Nina, I better go. I need to get some sleep before tomorrow, I have so much to get sorted over the next couple weeks.”
“It must be so hard, but it will get better, I’m sure. You managed to take this trip. You will make it back here, one day.” I squeeze her arm as she reaches for her fur coat.
“Yeah, maybe.” Her lips thin into a tight-lipped grimace. She walks to the door but pauses when she gets to it.
Her throat works on a swallow as her eyes find mine. “Sorry, Nina. I hope you don’t think I’m being rude.” And then she leaves.
