She can’t think much of me. How strange it would be if she realised I was on her side.
‘What about this one? He looks cut,’ Melody begins. ‘What do you think?’ When Nell doesn’t answer, when she even doesn’t look at the screen, my sister’s gaze jumps between us. ‘I’ll read the bio to you, then. “James, 31. Looking for love. Our relationship should be easy and endless fun, like the classic game, Nintendo 64. And just the same, all our issues easily fixed by—p” ’
‘Blowing on it and shoving it back in,’ I interject flatly, address my feet before looking up. ‘Only a total wanker would use an unoriginal profile.’
‘You’ve read that before?’ Mel asks, more than a little put out.
‘A dozen times.’
‘People really do that?’ Nell asks, aghast. ‘Steal other people’s bios and stuff?’
‘Have you even looked what she wrote for your profile?’ At my retort, Nell’s worried gaze moves to Melody.
‘What did you say about me?’ she asks, her expression wary.
‘Looking for a badass because I already have a good ass.’ So I couldn’t resist. And the latter part is true.
‘Give me the phone,’ Nell says, shocked.
‘I didn’t write that,’ Melody argues, moving the phone out of Nell’s reach. As a tall girl, Mel has a pretty wicked wingspan. ‘What do you take me for? And why have you got to be such a dick?’ she spits in my direction.
‘Why spoilt the habit of a lifetime?’ I answer blandly before sending her a childish look. I’m only helping her cause. She knows the score. I’m not sure how she knows what’s gone on between Nell and me, but I’ll bet before she leaves this kitchen I’ll find out.
‘Give it to me.’ Palm up, Nell bends her fingers inwards in demand. Noting this time she’s serious, Melody hands over the phone.
‘I swiped left on the last one, but the next one looks good,’ Mel says, as the phone leaves her hand. “A muggle in the streets, a wizard in the sheets.” That’s got potential, hasn’t it,’ she adds eagerly. ‘And you like Harry Potter.’
‘Yeah, when I was twelve,’ Nell mumbles.
‘Let’s be honest.’ Ignoring the ball of cement that has currently taken up residence in my gut, I force a small smile into place. ‘All the cool kids are Potter heads.’ Nell mirrors my expression. It looks just as uncomfortable, but regardless, it still makes me want toSlytherinagain. I’d settle for a cuddle right now. Actually, that wouldn’t be settling at all. It would be a privilege and one I can no longer allow.
‘He doesn’t look like a Potter-head,’ Mel’s adds, holding her hand over Nell’s as the pair consider the profile image of Malfoy Dickhead or whoever. ‘He’s not nerdy. He’s pretty hot.’ While Melody continues to stare at the profile, over the top of her phone, my gaze connects with Nell’s. She looks sad. Resigned.
‘You should give him a go, Penny.’ She winces at my use of this iteration of her name.
‘I think that’s the most sensible thing you’ve said all morning,’ my sister grudgingly responds. ‘Swipe right, Pen. Go on. You’ve got nothing to lose.’ All the while she speaks, Melody stares daggers at me.
‘I don’t know. I’m not really sure I want to date.’
‘You’re not proposing marriage, for goodness sakes. Just saying you’d be open to chat.’
‘I don’t even know how this works!’ Nell almost yells.
‘He swiped right on your profile, you do the same, and if he’s as witty as his bio, you chat for a while. If he’s a complete knob, you don’t. That’s it. You’re not meeting him in a dark alley or tying yourself to him for life.’
‘Why are you so keen on me doing this now,’ Nell suddenly asks, her dark eyes swinging to Melody.
‘Because,’ my sister begins, resting one hand on her hip. ‘His bed hasn’t been slept in,’ she says, jerking her chin aggressively in my direction. ‘And your bedroom smells like sex. And that’s fine,’ she says, throwing up her arms. ‘You’re adults! You’re old enough to spell the word disaster! But I refuse,’ she continues,‘refuseto be dragged into this fuckery. It will end in no good. I wash my hands of both of you.’
And with that damning denouement, she stamps from the room.
Chapter 18
PENNY
You should give him a go, Penny.
I both wince and shiver as I recall Ben’s callous words, looking down unseeingly at the chart I hold in my hand. What was it Tammy just said?
