‘Have you slept with her?’
‘We’ve hooked up a few times, yeah.’
‘How many others of those girls you introduced me to tonight have you slept with?’
‘For fuck’s sake, what’s it to you? You’re not my girlfriend.’
‘Yes, IknowI’m not your girlfriend, Luca. We all know that, don’t we? I mean, God forbid anyone should admit they have feelings for you!’
‘Then why did you tell that bloke at the gig that you were?’
She huffed, aghast. ‘Isthatwhat this is about? Because he was being a pest and I wanted to get rid of him, okay?’
‘That’s all?’
‘Yes, that’s all!’
‘So why are you acting all jealous, then?’
‘I’m not jealous! I’mhumiliated. She thought you werewith me,’ she said, waving her hand back at the bar, ‘but you were letting her feel you up right in front of everyone. In front ofme.’
‘Well, I don’t see what you have to be so high and mighty about,’ Luca shouted. ‘You’re only using me to practice your moves so you can fuck Mr Perfect in London.’
‘And I’m paying you for the privilege. You could at least show a little respect.’
‘Jesus! You’re not paying me enough to put up with this bullshit.’
‘Oh, really?’ Her mouth curled in a sneer. ‘How much would I have to pay you to act like a decent human being?’
‘Gee, I don’t know, Claire. There probably isn’t enough money in the world to turn me into a “decent human being”.’
‘And what if I wasn’t using you for my own ends? What then, huh? If I was one of those girls, like Aisling? It wouldn’t be any different, would it? I’d still be expected to know my place, not to expect anything from you. What would I be getting out of it, then?’
‘A bloody great fuck! What more do you want?’
‘A lot more,’ she said quietly, all the fight going out of her. ‘A whole lot more. Most people do, Luca.’
They faced each other in hostile silence, out of breath after their shouting match. Then Claire saw a taxi with its light on and hailed it. When it stopped, she got in and didn’t look back.
19
The next morning, Claire stood on the step outside Luca’s house and pressed his bell. She had tussled with herself about what she should do ever since she’d woken in her own bed, vaguely aware that she wasn’t supposed to be there. Rage had boiled up inside her as she recalled their fight last night and the way Luca had behaved. But she felt bad about some of the things she’d said to him. She wondered if they had burnt their boats. Were they finished, or should one of them apologise? And if so, should it be her – or him?
Part of her would have been happy never to see Luca again. He was the very antithesis of Mark, the opposite of what she wanted in a man. But she still needed him, so regardless of who was most in the wrong, she decided she would be the one to make the first move towards trying to patch things up between them. She’d come over rather than trying to call him, sure that he would simply ignore her if she tried to contact him by phone. Only after she had rung the bell did it occur to her that Aisling might be with him, but it was too late to run away.
Luca’s silent scowl when he answered the door wasn’t encouraging, but at least he let her in, and she rehearsed what to say as they climbed the stairs in silence.
‘I’m sorry—’ they said simultaneously, as soon as he had closed the door behind them, which made them laugh, dispelling some of the tension.
‘Okay, I’ll go first,’ Claire said. Luca waved her to the sofa and sat beside her. She was relieved to see there was no sign of Aisling.
‘I’m sorry if I acted like a jealous girlfriend,’ she said. ‘Maybe Ihavelet myself get more attached to you than I should. It’s hard not to when you’re giving me orgasms all the time and making me feel amazing. But I know it doesn’t mean anything, and you don’t have to worry about me going bunny-boiler on you, honestly. And I didn’t mean what I said – I think you’re a really decent person, and you’ve been very generous and sweet to me. So please don’t quit on me, because I still need you. If you want more money?—’
‘I don’t,’ Luca interrupted. ‘Look, I’m sorry too. You were right – I acted like a dick, and I’m sorry you felt humiliated. I just – I felt like you were getting possessive and I freaked out. I know I’m supposed to want more, but I just don’t.’
Claire shook her head. ‘I know that, and it’s a pity because you have so much more to give. But I’m not trying to change you. I meant what I said about wanting more…’ Luca opened his mouth to say something, but she held up a hand to silence him ‘…but I’m not looking for that from you, honestly,’ she raced on. ‘Mark wants the same things I want, and he’s the reason I’m here in the first place.’ She took a deep breath. ‘So – do you think we could continue?’
He smiled. ‘Actually, I’m relieved you said that because I seem to remember giving you a money-back guarantee.’
