“Why three?”
His hands hadn’t left me. I wondered if we could stay this way forever.
“Because two’s usually her limit. One more than that and she should’ve stayed sober. Back to you and Rose. And me.”
“Do you think I said the right thing?”
“I think what you said was perfect. I asked Claire once about how she felt when Mum moved in with them. That was different; our dad would hardly win parent of the year even after Mum trained him. Claire said Marie was the best thing that happened to them.”
I knew Seph adored his mum. In the last few weeks, we had lunch with her a couple of times, talking about work and then life in general. She didn’t pry, wasn’t nosy, but she was interested in Rose, which made me happy. She also loved telling embarrassing stories about Seph, which made him act all mortified when in fact he was loving the attention.
He moved back so we were looking at each other. “Rose is already lucky because she has the most amazing mum.”
“Thank you.” It was the right thing to say, the best thing to say, and I was pretty sure I was near enough crying right now, only if I did, Ava would be over here screaming in panic.
“But we’re agreed that I am your boyfriend? None of this ‘he might be one day’?” His eyes always gave him away, and now they were wide. Worried.
“You’re my boyfriend. We’ve given it a name. I feel too old for a boyfriend.” I giggled, riding a wave of elation now, but feeling girlishly embarrassed at the same time. ‘I mean, I’m a mother. Doesn’t that make me too old.”
He moved his hand so he could brush a lock of hair out of the way. “You’re definitely not too old to have me as your boyfriend. In fact, I think you’re perfect.”
I couldn’t give him a response because his mouth was on mine, starting a kiss that definitely wasn’t PG, and was giving me feelings that were definitely not suitable for the bar.
Ava managed to distract both of us when she almost tripped over her own feet on the way back over, giggling happily.
“She’s on water for a few rounds.” Eli said, passing us our drinks. He then wrapped his arm around her. “You two good?”
“Very.” Seph gave me that smile, the one I knew I was becoming addicted to.
The smile I wasn’t sure I could ever bring myself to stop seeing.
I hadn’t been backto Seph’s apartment until now. We’d always gone back to mine, mainly because of Rose – either she was there, and I needed to get home to her, or we had an empty house. Tonight, I was banned from home, so I was seeing Seph’s for the first time.
“It will be a mess.” He had the key in the door, pausing to turn round and look at me. “Shay’s the untidiest person I’ve ever lived with, which is saying something because Payton was horrendous at one point.”
“Have you lived with all your siblings?”
The door opened. A row of gym bags and trainers were lined messily up against the wall.
“Looks like Shay’s tried to tidy up.” He stared at the row of stuff.
“Really.”
“This is him making an effort. He’ll need praise for it.” He kicked off his shoes. “I haven’t lived with them all, but some I’ve stayed with on a regular basis. I don’t like living by myself.”
I took my shoes off, feeling one of the best feelings in the world when my feet were free. “Why’s that?”
He shrugged. “I like having people around. Probably because I grew up in a big family. We always had someone around, so if I’m on my own I get bored. Max says I’m insecure, but I think he’s transferring his own issues.”
I laughed, imagining the conversation and what Max’s response would be to Seph suggesting that.
“Do you want a coffee or tea?”
“Just water.” I followed him into the kitchen, which was surprisingly tidy. “I thought this was going to be a pigsty?”
“Shay must’ve tidied up. I did threaten to chop his balls off next time he was drunk if it was a mess when you got here.” He pulled out a couple of glasses and ran the cold water.
“Where is he?” I’d expected him to be sat up gaming.
