“You could always get the upper hand here with the surprise effect.”
“To do what?”
“To make him see what he’s missing out on.”
“He’s not missing out on anything.”
“That’s what you think.”
I sigh, exasperated.
“I don’t know why, but I think he’ll realise what he’s missing – and soon. Of course, if you give him a little push…”
“What the hell am I supposed to do?”
“Please, Casey. He’s a guy – and, from what I’ve seen, he’s not particularly switched-on, while you’re pretty and clever. And you’re a woman… You could bring him to his knees just by batting your eyelashes or wiggling that beautiful arse of yours.”
“Why should I? I don’t see any reason to.”
“Aren’t you someone who likes a challenge? Show him that he doesn’t understand a fucking thing about women, and show yourself—”
“What?” I threaten him.
“That you’re not that girl from the swimming pool anymore.”
Martin, I hate you.
“Unless there’s something else…”
“Absolutely not!”
“You don’t feel anything for him, do you?” Martin scrutinises my expression.
“Nothing. He has no effect on me at all.”
“Perfect. So what are we talking about then?”
I drop his hand and turn back to face the O’Connors’ house. A sea of emotions, memories and anger washes over me, and I can’t handle it all at once. Because when it comes to Dickhead Number One, my head loses all logic, all my good sense is fried and I completely lose any grasp of reality. But it’s been eight years, and so much has happened since then; I’ve grown, become much stronger. I’m immune to his charm and his bullshit – but he’s still the same as always.
“Nothing,” I say to Martin, turning back to him. “There’s nothing to talk about.”
I open the passenger door and get out of the car. I gather up my courage and head towards the front door, followed by Martin. I take a deep breath and ring the doorbell, ready to dive into the past and show Nick O’Connor – and myself – that no one has been standing around, waiting.
9
Nick
“Hi, Nick,” Martin says. “We’re here for our first meeting.”
I don’t answer him. I stand there in the doorway, frozen to the spot, not making a noise.
“This is Casey,” he says with a smirk that makes me suspect that someone here knows something he shouldn’t.
“Can we come in?”
I stand there, not moving, not speaking.
“Er…” Martin is starting to look uncomfortable. “Is everything okay?”
