“What?Don’t you want to contradict me?”
He glares at me.“You’re impossible, Olive Garden.”
“So are you, Fantino.”
“And stop looking at me like that,” he says out of the blue.
It’s an effort not to flinch.“Like what?”
“So worried.I can see it.I don’t need a watchdog, suddenlylooking at me with different eyes just because she knows about my condition.”
“I don’t see you with different eyes,” I say, not looking away.“I find you just as much of a shite as I always have done.”
His lips twitch slightly.“Great.The feeling’s mutual.”
We both whirl around as the light goes on out in the corridor.
“Fuck,” I whisper as Fantino jumps up from the piano stool.I get to the door first and close it, also feeling for the light switch on the wall.I can sense him beside me as the ceiling light goes off and we’re standing in the dark.Immediately my heart rate quickens.
“Anyone there?”Fantino asks, but I shush him furiously.
The houseparents are experts at picking up the tiniest sounds if they come out to check up on us at night.And I really don’t fancy another grilling from Mrs.Sinclair.Especially not in his company.
“Don’t move,” I breathe as one of the old floorboards creaks.I can feel the warmth of his body.My eyes are slowly getting used to the darkness, and I can see the outlines of things now.Fantino’s beside me with his back to the closed door.He turns his head toward me, and I’m sorry to say that he smells good.Of some cologne, which I’ll bet was expensive and that he only bought because TikTok told him it drives the ladies wild.Well, what can I say?They were right.I’m only human.He moves and his arm brushes my shoulder, making me shiver.
“Want me to play something else?”he whispers, even though I can hear muffled footsteps through the door.
I put my finger to my lips and dig my elbow into his ribs.He groans, and I hold my breath.
It goes quiet in the corridor.I shut my eyes.
No, no, please, no.
I look up to the heavens and pray to God as somebody rattles the door handle gently.Fantino and I press all our weight against the door, which seems to do the trick and makes them think it’s locked.
I only dare breathe again once the footsteps retreat.Fantino exhales almost inaudibly.Neither of us speaks for quite a while.I feel him turn his head and look at me, which is infuriating.
“What?”I hiss angrily.
“If you hurry out now, you’ve still got time to rat on me,” he whispers.
I laugh very quietly and move away from the door.Fantino has nowhere to go as I stand in front of him.I’m annoyed he’s so tall that I have to look up at him.His dark hair flops into his eyes as he looks down at me.
“I’m not the kind of arsehole who goes around blackmailing other people for fun,Colin.”
“Oh, my actual name,” he murmurs, bringing his face closer to mine.My core muscles tense slightly.“Say it again.”
“No way,” I retort.
“Shame, Olive.”
“You think?”I lean forward and feel his thigh against my hip.His firm body beneath layers of clothing.He stops breathing, just for a second, but I notice.Close, he’s close.Very close.
I bite my bottom lip—I do it very intentionally.And maybe because I can’t help myself.Colin gulps and lowers his chin.God, is that an invitation?If I leaned forward just a wee bit more, Icould kiss him.I can barely make out his features in the darkness, but I know them only too well.He’s here, he’s driving me crazy.I don’t like how confused I feel when I’m near him, but at the same time it’s all so thrilling, like this thing between us is a game in which nobody really knows the rules.Maybe there aren’t any.Maybe that’s it.I think I’m ready to find out.And so is he.He comes closer, I draw back.A reflex action, my heart suddenly racing.
“Er, good night, then.”I reach for the door handle.He freezes.My voice croaks.“And next time, give Cleo my love.”
15
