Laughter bursts out of me, free and unimpeded. ‘You heard that?’
‘It was hard not to.’
His dimples are there now. I fight the urge to reach out and touch them.
He suddenly looks pained.
‘What’s wrong?’
He shakes his head, his eyes brightening with emotion. ‘You’re so fucking thin, Liv.’
I tense and get out the milk.
‘It’s not intentional,’ I say grimly. ‘I’m trying to put some weight back on.’
‘Can I take you out for dinner?’
‘To fatten me up?’
‘No.’ He gives me a small smile. ‘Although that would be a bonus. I just want to catch up properly.’
‘When were you thinking?’
‘Tonight? Tomorrow? Now?’
‘I can’t go now, I’m about to eat lunch.’ I point out the blatantly obvious with a smile. ‘And anyway, look at the state of me,’ I add, glancing down at my stained T-shirt.
‘What’s he doing here?’ Michael interrupts.
It’s a testament to how caught up I was in Finn: I didn’t even hear Michael come down the stairs and he’s rarely light on his feet.
‘Hi,’ Finn says with a little wave.
Unlike the first time they met, he doesn’t offer up his hand to shake.
‘What are you doing here?’ Michael asks him directly.
‘He’s visiting his grandparents and he came to say hi,’ I respond curtly.
‘When will lunch be ready?’ he asks me.
‘In about half an hour. Do you want a cup of tea?’
‘No.’
‘You can carry on watchingThe Fallif you like.’
‘Are you trying to get rid of me?’
‘Yes.’
He huffs and walks out of the room. Finn raises an eyebrow at me, amused. Michael presses Play on his show and I finish up with our teas and unlock the back door. I indicate for Finn to go ahead and take a seat at the small wooden table for two before closing the door behind us so we have some privacy.
Well, as much privacy as it’s possible to get when you’re surrounded by neighbours’ gardens, but I don’t think anyone else is outside.
‘How’s it going, living here?’ Finn asks.
‘It’s a total fucking nightmare,’ I reply.
