“Okay, well, do it now. And then you can just chill here. I’ll get food; you can watch movies and do whatever. I have a bit of work to do this weekend, so I’ll be here to keep you company.”
I remember the books in his room.Work.Is he actually studying? He hasn’t told me, so I’m not supposed to know.
“First, though, I’m going to open that window because it smells of sambuca and self-pity in here.” He stands and walks toward the small sash window that looks out onto the street.
“It’s painted shut,” I say pointedly.
“Well, the boys have a few clear days, so we can start the renos next week.”
“Really?”
“Really,” he says, and then, as if he’s formulating a plan, he nods. “Okay, you relax. I’ll order dinner in. What do you fancy? Or would you like someone to take all the decisions off you?”
“Take all the decisions off me.”
“Got it.”
He looks at me for a moment. “I just have to say it. You don’t need that shit done to your face,” he says, shaking his head at me.
“It’s nothing. Loads of people do it. Don’t shame me.”
He shrugs. “I’m just saying, maybe this Joe guy will think you’re already just fine the way you are.”
“It’s no different to buying a new pair of shoes,” I say.
“You know what I mean,” he says, picking up a heavy book on the side table, and then putting it down again, and then playing with the keys in the bowl.
“I’m going to go and pick up a pizza,” he says after a moment. “Can you find a film that isn’t from 1950?”
“How dare you,” I say, grinning. “But fine. This is nearly done anyway.”
When Ash heads out, I send Samira an apologetic text.
I need to cancel tomorrow, Samira, I’m so sorry! Can we try next week?
She replies right away:Why am I not surprised? ;-)
I sigh. I know it looks like me being evasive again. I’ll need to explain on Monday.
I clean myself up, change into some comfy leggings and aHamiltonT-shirt, and ready myself on the sofa before I restartCalamity Jane. I fast-forward to the bit where she humiliates herself post-makeover in front of the whole town by throwing herself atLieutenant Danny Gilmartin, all while the gorgeous and protective Wild Bill Hickok is standingright there.
“I have one pepperoni pizza and one mushroom pizza,” Ash says as he returns, the smell of garlic wafting through the house as soon as he shuts the door.
I am ravenous.
“I also have Haribo, Maltesers, microwave popcorn, and a liter of cola, although I also have wine.”
“Astonishing,” I say. “Absolutely perfect.”
He pours me a glass of wine, then himself one, and then drops the two pizzas on the coffee table and flops onto the sofa next to me. I immediately make myself smaller to compensate for his size.
“What are we watching?” he asks, flicking open the pizza box.
“Well, if it isn’t weird... I have a method,” I say, producing a little box I retrieved from my bedroom. I open the lid.
“There are about fifty cards in here, with all the movies I’ve ever five-starred. All you need to do is shuffle and then pick a card, and that’s the one we watch. We leave it to fate.”
Ash looks at the little box and picks up the first handmade white card, turning it over. It saysAVIATOR.
