‘Not as much as I thought.’ I glance across the table, but he’s had no problem tucking into his food – as was always the case. I smile to myself.
‘What’s it like, working at the zoo?’ I ask.
‘It’s a zoo,’ he says flippantly.
I lean back in my chair and stare at him. ‘And London Zoo?’
He shrugs. ‘Another zoo.’
‘You prefer conservation parks?’
‘You know I do.’
‘Iknowyou do?’
‘“Zoos aren’t real enough” for you, I think is how you described it.’
‘You remember that?’
He seems to remember as many conversations as I do. He doesn’t answer me. We’re still staring across the table at each other. His eyes are even darker blue in this candlelight. My gaze wanders to his lips. Big mistake. I move on to his jaw and then his shoulders, followed by his arms. His T-shirt is tight enough that I can see the definition of his muscles. I blush and look away.
He’s reduced me to a teenager again. I want him. I want him as much as I ever did. I shiver and lean forward, trying to focus on eating something. But my eyes are drawn to his lips and I want him to kiss me so much that it hurts.
Richard. . .
‘How is everything?’ Marco breaks the spell.
‘Good, thanks.’
‘You are not eating,signora?’ He gawps at my almost-full dish in horror.
‘I’m not that hungry,’ I apologise.
‘I get you something else?’
‘No, no, this is lovely, really. I’m just not that hungry.’
‘The steak was perfect, Marco.’ Ben thankfully distracts him.
‘Ah, I so pleased. You like another drink?’
‘Sure.’ Ben holds up his glass. There’s only a little beer swilling around. Marco turns to me.
‘I’m fine, thank you.’ My glass is still half-full.
‘Do you ever see Josh?’ Ben asks.
‘Actually, yes. I had to go back to Adelaide for a funeral a couple of weeks ago. My friend’s dad,’ I explain. ‘And Josh also came over to visit at Easter.’
‘Did he?’ He gives me a look.
‘He’s a good mate,’ I add, to clarify the situation. ‘He’s got a girlfriend, now. Tina.’
‘Oh, right.’
‘He stopped drinking and driving.’
‘Really?’
