‘She should at least look, shouldn’t she?’ She turns to Ben as though they weren’t just exchanging daggers at twenty paces.Okay, five. My kitchen isn’t that big.
‘If she wants to, I’m sure she will.’
‘It’s a good place to start,’ she responds with a pinched brow. ‘You used it often enough.’
‘Not that it’s any of your business, but yes. You know I did.’
‘And you would again,’ she presses.
‘What do you want me to say, Mel? That I fuck around? There. I said it. Do you feel better airing my dirty laundry in front of your friend?’ Was the latter part of his sentence meant to hurt?
‘What crawled up his arse and died?’ Mel mumbles, turning away. ‘I’m going to hop into the shower. Is my overnight bag here from last time?’
‘Yep.’ I point at the ceiling. ‘In the room of death where you left it.’ No one died in that room. Not that I know of, at least. It’s just the junk room and filled to overflowing. Liam used to joke that entering the room of death was like entering Jumanji. Pity he hadn’t been whisked away to another dimension when he went to retrieve his suitcase from there the day he left. It wouldn’t have made any difference to me. He wasn’t contributing to the mortgage anyway.
I wait for Mel’s footsteps to sound on the stairs before I ask Ben what’s wrong.
I get the man answer.
‘Nothing.’
‘I’m not buying it,’ I reply, folding my arms across my chest. ‘Something is up. You haven’t once looked at my boobs. Or teased me about my taste in nightwear. I mean, look.’ Pulling on my pyjama top, I invite him to read the wording.
Check Me-Owt.
‘You don’t have a bra on.’
‘Fifty points to Slytherin.’
‘Why would I be in Slytherin?’
‘You’re really off your game today.’ Drawing closer, it looks for a moment like he’ll step away.Looks like it but doesn’t.I press the back of my hand against his head. It’s not quite a scientific investigation, but I always find it comforting. ‘Slytherin because you slither... in. It’s a dick joke. Get it?’
His smile doesn’t reach his eyes.
‘Ben, please. What’s up?’
‘I think you should listen to what Mel says.’
‘What? That the name Nell doesn’t suit me? It’s better than Penelope. Besides, I like how you’re the only one to call me that.’
‘I meant about seeing—about going on a couple of dates.’
‘Oh.’ Like a balloon without air, I sag against the countertop. ‘And you’ve come to this conclusion why?’
‘I got my orders today. I’ve got two more weeks.’
‘That’s .. . that’s what you expected, wasn’t it?’
‘Not exactly.’ Placing his untouched mug down, he leans his butt against the sink as he folds his arms once again. ‘You were the one thing I didn’t expect.’
Internally, I light up like a Christmas tree. At least, until I pay attention to his expression. ‘And that’s an issue why?’
‘I can’t have a girlfriend, Nell. There’s just no space in my life for love.’
Love. Hate. Anger.
‘That’s total bullshit. Just say what you mean to say. I had no expectations.’Hope but not expectations. ‘And you made no promises.’Not verbally, at least. Just in his kisses.‘It was only supposed to be one night. The rest was ... ’Everything.‘Let’s call it bonus material.’ I end my dishonest statement with a strangled laugh—one I’ve never used before.
