“I went to see my boss today. It went well.”
“That’s good.”
“Not going back yet. Have some other things to sort.”
“Okay?”
“I’ll tell you when I see you.”
“On Saturday.”
“Yeah.”
Silence.
It hurt my head.
“Why are you not here?” My voice was horrible. Desperate. Needy. I needed more than a flying saucepan.
“You want me to come to your haunted house and have you shout at me?”
“I won’t shout.”
“Cal does. He shouts at me all the time.”
And now I was laughing. What was it with me and this man? This…this gorgeous, wonderful mess of a man.
“Oliver. I… Can…”
“You’re going to have to say it out loud, Peter. I’m not a mind-reader. I can’t…”
“You said you were staying here until I fell in love with you.”
“I did.” He sounded unsure. And…
I wasn’t. Not at all.
“You need to choose your words carefully,” Cal called from the sofa.
“Stop listening in!” I shouted.
“See? You’re shouting.” He did just that. In my ear.
I seemed to find my nerve. Ripped the charger out of the wall and went and threw myself on my bed. Let the satisfying click of the door closing behind me soothe my nerves.
“Oliver,” I said. “Babygirl.”
“Oh no, you’re not starting that up again.”
“Why not?” I smiled. “You are. You’re a babygirl. You’re an emotional little babygirl, and I really. I really, really… Oliver, I don’t know what to say. It’s just a bit much, and I’m trying here, I really am. But…”
“But what?” He was smiling. I could hear it in his voice.
“You said I’d fall in love with you.”
“Yes.” Calm.
“I won’t.”
