Chapter Twenty-Four
BEA
He’s going to kiss me right here in front of everyone. And I’m going to let him. Then there’ll be questions and answers demanded—and more complications than a bowel reconstruction on a two hundred kilo patient.
And just as much shit.
‘What’s goin’ on?’ Rory’s tone is gruff, and from my limited vision, Fin looks stunned. And my head is still in Kit’s hands.
My head in his hands, my heart in his gaze.
I blink rapidly and try to turn away, rubbing my eye. ‘Kit’s helping me get some grit out of my eye.’
Is it wrong that I regret losing the heat of his hands?
‘Oh, let me take you to the ladies.’ Fin’s suggestion hasfartoo much enthusiasm for some eye grit. ‘The light in there is much better. I could help?’
Not a chance. No bathroom interrogations just now, thanks. I have other things to sort out.
‘It’s all fixed. Kit helped me see things much more clearly now.’
I slip my hand under the table and squeeze his knee. Maybe I’ve just gone mad because I’m not even frightened as he lifts his head, his smile developing in small increments.
Mad, definitely. Clinically insane.
I came here tonight expecting to find Kit with another. Man? Woman? I wasn’t sure. The only thing I could admit was that the idea of him interested in someone other than me made me feel sick. And before that, I had my proposal. The pitch I was going to make to him. But what was that if not an idea born from the desire to spend more time with him? Yes, mostly I envisaged us screwing. But in essence, that’s what he’s asking for. More everything with the word dating balanced between.
This leap of faith is large, but at least we’ll be jumping together.
‘Looked like you were arguing,’ Rory says gruffly, pulling out Fin’s chair.
‘Who, us?Welooked like we were arguing?’ I attempt a look of incredulous innocence, a finger pointing at Kit before myself. ‘I wonder why that was?’
‘It’s why we came back,’ adds Fin. ‘You both looked tense.’
‘I expect it was his suggestion,’ Kit responds. ‘He can’t dance for long on account of his ugly flat feet.’
Rory’s retort is to tell him to piss off.
‘Something seemed to be going on,’ Fin says softly. ‘Not that you have to tell us, of course.’
‘Looks like we’re busted, Bea,’ begins Kit with a wicked gleam in his eye.No, surely he’s not going to... not here? Not without discussing it with me first.‘I may as well tell you, but I’d best move my legs out of kicking distance first because you’re right, Bea is annoyed with me.’
I inhale a deep breath, not sure what I’ll say in response. Mainly to Kit because if this is the way he thinks a relationship works—
‘And embarrassed, I suppose, because I busted her on her Rumblr tastes.’
Fin starts to laugh. Meanwhile, I do a fabulous impression of a puffer fish. Indignant and huffy. My mouth agape. I might not have wanted to announce our relationship plans tonight, but I didn’t want my gay GIFs outed instead!
‘You absolute—’
‘Quiet ones are always the worst,’ he says, cutting me off. ‘But this one?’ He hooks a thumb in my direction, and with a slow shake of his head, he says, ‘I was so shocked, and her a person of such professional standing. What she has on there had me clutching my pearls.’
‘Aye, more likely your dick,’ interjects a laughing Rory.
‘She likes them rough and ready.’
‘Andhard,’ adds Fin.
