“I know. Just keep phoning me. Or messaging.”
“I will. You know I will. And don’t feel like you’re the only one missing. Claire’s completely out of it on a drip in hospital too with this all-day morning sickness, so Killian has barely told her anything. Plus, Ava’s on holiday. Her and Eli nicked off to Goa.”
“He’s going to propose.”
“I know. He told me. Jackson offered him a pay rise. Ava’s expensive.”
Callum laughed. “Damn right. I’ll let you go, Max, it’s late. Vic’s probably wanting some quiet.”
“Vic’s binge watching Game of Thrones with the excuse that it’s historical. I’ll speak to you tomorrow. Go do something nice with Wren.” He hung up before Callum answered, a woman’s voice in the background, saying something about it definitely being historical.
I kept my hands where they were, not moving. He leaned his head back into me and I felt a little of the tension leave his body.
“We should get something to drink, see if we can grab something to eat.” Necessities. When unsure of what to do, revert to necessities
“Anne-Marie left super and mint tea out there for us.” He still had hold of my hands.
“Let’s grab it. Then we can shower.”
He twisted round to see me. “I don’t want to be on my own tonight. I get it if you do and I don’t mean to fuck, just…”
“Sleep here. It’s fine.” It was. It would feel strange if he did stay in his own room, whatever the complications would be in my head come the morning. Things were no longer straightforward. As much as I was able to rationalise things, including sex, Callum was starting to blur my boundaries.
“I’ll sleep on the couch.”
I remembered his vow to never consecutively sleep with the same woman and felt a stab of pain.
“You don’t have to. It’s a big bed. I’m pretty sure we’ll manage.” I could be an adult.
He smiled, his gaze meeting mine momentarily. “I don’t know if I can be a gentleman. And I don’t know if it’s fair to you. Or even to me.”
“It’s just one night.”
This time his eyes remained on me while the room was silent. Still.
“Another one night?”
I nodded. “Don’t over think it. Let’s eat. Talk about Marrakesh.”
* * *
We headed outsideto where there were several iron tables, two with platters of food left for us and the silver teapots of mint tea, or at least I thought it was mint tea.
The night was sultry, the air thick. I nibbled at the salad and pastries Anne-Marie had left, the platter of fruit juicy and cool. One of her employees came up to pour the tea, lifting the teapot high, a stream of liquid a waterfall into the cup.
Then we were left alone, Callum’s smile fading.
“You need to focus on the facts. Not the what ifs. I know that’s probably a stupid thing to say right now.”
He shook his head. “It isn’t because it’s true.” Callum looked at his emptied plate. We’ve managed to get through all of the food left, as had the crew that had turned up. They had now gone off to their rooms. I was pretty sure we were the only two still up.
“We need to do what your brother said and take some photos, things to show her when she’s up to it.” I hoped that would be soon after the operation, but a lot would depend on how long she was under anaesthetic for and what exactly that they had to do. Although we weren’t medical doctors, being a vet did give you a decent insight into human physiology.
“I know. We will. If that’s okay with you. Are you trying the hammam tomorrow?”
I smiled. “Definitely. I’m booked in at eleven for two hours. Why don’t you have one?”
“I might. You’ll really enjoy it.”
