Ash slinks out from under my arm as I remove the box of Butler’s Hot Chocolate from the press.
“He’s no one important,” she lies, avoiding eye contact.
I drop three of the yummy hot chocolate pieces into the milk and resume stirring the liquid.
“If you say so.” I have my suspicions, but I’m saying nothing. When I first suspected Jamie and my sister might have rekindled whatever romance they had last summer, I was tempted to pull my best mate aside and rip into him. But I stopped myself in time. They’re grown-ups, and Ash knows her own mind. If she’s started something with him, she’s gone into it with her eyes wide-open.Who am I to interfere?I’ve hated other women stepping in the path of my relationship with Vivien, and I’d be a hypocrite to do the same and deny them the happiness I feel.
If it’s serious, I’ll talk to Jay to ensure he’s on the same page as her. But I’m not going to tell him she’s off-limits anymore. I don’t think I ever should have.
Ash takes three mugs out of the press, placing them on the counter. Her shoulders are rigid, and her lips are pursed, so I go easy on her. I’ll wait for her to raise the subject with me. And perhaps I’m wrong. Maybe she’s banging some other guy and I’m way off base. “How is studying going?”
The tension eases instantly from her shoulders. “Good. Viv and I have been studying together at the library, and I think we’re well prepared.”
“You’re both going to nail it.”
“Thanks for cooking dinner every night. It’s a big help.”
I shrug because it’s not a biggie. “I like cooking for my favorite sister and my best girl. It’s the least I can do.”
She leans in and hugs me. “I love seeing you as a boyfriend. I knew all along you’d be the best, and you are.”
I laugh while turning off the heat on the hob. “You were always going to be biased.”
“Doesn’t make it not true.”
“He’s not sending her stuff or messaging her anymore, right?” I ask, avoiding looking at her as I pour the chocolate milk into the three mugs.
“Dillon.” Her tone contains censure. “We talked about this. I’m Switzerland. You need to ask Vivien. I’m not your spy.”
Setting the empty saucepan down, I rub the back of my neck. “Sorry,” I mumble as I retrieve the packet of mini marshmallows from the press. “I just don’t like asking her about him, but I was wondering.”
We sent him an intimate photo of us in bed the morning after the Trinity Ball. It didn’t leave much to the imagination, and I hope it drove the point home. She’sminenow. I need to know he understands that. Vivien hasn’t mentioned anything to me in the weeks since, and she never talks about him anymore, which I hope is a good sign she’s moving on, but I can never be fully sure.
Ash glances behind me before lowering her voice. “I’m not doing this again, Dil. We all agreed I’d keep my friendship with Viv separate to your relationship with her for a reason. But to answer your question, no, he hasn’t contacted her, and he hasn’t sent her anything. He got the message loud and clear.”
“Good.” I drop marshmallows on the top of the three mugs.
“Don’t worry about Reeve.” Ash rubs my arm before taking one of the mugs. “Viv is crazy about you, Dillon. You’re the only one putting that big smile on her face every day.”
I know, but for how long?
“This is too much, Hollywood,” I say, shaking my head at the deluge of clothing bags littering the floor of her bedroom. It’s mostly new stuff she bought herself today to celebrate the end of her exams, but a good few of the bags contain clothes she bought me.
“I told you I’m determined to introduce more color into your life, babe.” She cops a feel of my arse. “You can’t go around dressed like the Grim Reaper all summer long.” Her soft giggle trickles into the air, warming every part of me.
Backing her up against the wardrobe, I cage her within my arms. “You’ll pay for that.” I dive in and drag my teeth along her earlobe. “What’s wrong with all black? It’s my signature look.”
Her arms snake around my neck. “I love your signature look. Honestly, you’d look hot in anything. You are sexy as hell, Dil, and I’m horny for you twenty-four-seven.” She grinds her pelvis against me, and predictably, my dick stirs to life. This is the way it is with us. We fuck at least twice a day. We can’t get enough of one another, and I’m having the best sex of my life.
“I just like buying you things, and I wanted to thank you,” she continues, kissing the corner of my mouth. “I couldn’t have sailed through my exams without you. You cooked, cleaned, brought me drinks and snacks, escorted me to and from college, gave me the best freaking massages, and fucked me into oblivion so I got a good night’s sleep.” Her eyes turn suspiciously glassy. “You don’t know how much your unconditional support means to me, and I’m struggling to find ways to show you, so don’t get angry that I spent a little money on you.” She chews on the corner of her mouth, looking nervous, and I know why.
We’ve had a few arguments over money. She got me added as a named driver on her rental car and refused to let me reimburse the additional cost. I always want to pay for her when we go out, and she doesn’t like it, wanting to pay her own way or take it in turns, arguing she’d be like this with any guy and it’s not justbecause she has more money than me. I know my hang-ups are tied up with my twin. But it’s not like I can explain that to her or tell her how inadequate it makes me feel when I can’t properly provide for her.
I hate feeling inferior to that prick, but being an ass isn’t making me feel any better. Viv did something nice for me, and I’m acting like an ungrateful punk. She just finished her exams, and we have the whole summer together before we are forced to part. This is a happy occasion, a night to celebrate, and I’m determined to ensure she has a good time. Which means I need to let this go.
“I’m not angry, beautiful.” I kiss her softly. “Thank you for buying me things. It’s very generous, and I’m a lucky fucking bastard to call you mine.”
She visibly relaxes against me. “I’m so lucky I met Ash. She’s my best friend, and you’re the best boyfriend a girl could ask for. I don’t want you to think I take you for granted because I don’t, Dillon.” She stabs me with earnest eyes. “I’m lucky I get to call you mine. I still pinch myself most days to believe it’s true.”
