“I’m serious, Debra. Just take time to be. You don’t need to rush and worry about what you’re supposed to be doing. Maybe you’ll decide you don’t want to do anything at all at some point.” Debra drew back, giving Billie a knowing look. “Okay, fine. You find it hard to sit still, and you’ll absolutely decide on something.”
“Correct.”
“All I’m saying is that you don’t need to figure it out right now. Lie on the couch and read a book. Spend your days drinking cocktails with Maeve. So long as you have a smile on your face whenever I see you, I don’t care.”
Debra sighed as she pressed herself to Billie. “I didn’t know life could feel like this.”
“Like what, babe?”
“Like I haven’t shown up late to it and missed all the fun.”
Billie leaned in and kissed her. It was one of those kisses that reminded Debra that this was allveryreal. When they drew back, Billie rested her forehead against Debra’s. “I told you I’d make sure we were happy, and I meant it.”
“I’m already happy, Billie.”
“Good. Then I’m doing my job.”
The wind whipped around them, sending a shiver down Debra’s spine. She wanted to get out of here and lounge for the rest of the night, especially when Billie had promised her risotto this morning. “Come on. I have a spot on your couch with my name on it.”
“Oh, just a spot? I thought the whole place had your name on it.”
Debra smirked as she lifted a shoulder. “Maybe it does. We’ll just have to find out later this evening.”
Billie hadone hip pressed to the counter, a wooden spoon moving lazily through the risotto as steam curled up around her forearm. She was still damp from her shower, her hair swept back off her face, gym shorts and an old T-shirt clinging to her in patches. She hadn’t bothered to check herself in the mirror. She was too busy being domesticated. She was also too comfortable to care.
Caleb’s voice crackled through the phone where it sat on the counter, set to loudspeaker so Billie could focus on dinner at the same time. “So you’re saying you canactuallymake me look decent in a suit?”
Billie smiled to herself. “Have you not googled me, Caleb? I work out of one of thefinestAtelier’s in Europe, my friend.”
“That’s big-headed.” Caleb snorted.
“No. It’s called knowing your worth and being honest about it.”
She heard Debra laughing from the living room. As Billie glanced over at her, she had her feet tucked up beneath her on the couch while Billie’s hoodie practically swallowed her whole. The TV played in the background, but it was only some documentary Debra had put on and then promptly stopped watching because she was too busy watching Billie instead. Billie felt those blue eyes on her. She always did.
“You won’t make me look too ‘politician’, will you?” Caleb asked. “I want something that says I tried, but not too hard.”
“That’s always the sweet spot, kid,” Billie said as she kept stirring. “I’ll sort it, don’t you worry. We’ll do something classic. You’ll hate the fittings, but I’ll make it painless.”
“So, I should just trust you. Is that what you’re saying?”
Billie winked in Debra’s direction. “You should. Your mum does.”
“Yeah. She really does.”
Billie’s chest had that pleasant ache in it. Something that happened more often than not lately. “Text me some dates when you’re back from uni.”
“Okay. Thanks, Billie.”
“No need to thank me. I’m looking forward to it. Maybe we could get some lunch once we’re done with your first fitting. I could do with some pointers for the newCall of Dutyyou convinced me to buy.”
“Absolutely not!” Debra shouted from the other side of the room. “I’m not sitting here watching you pretend you’re in the SAS or whatever the hell it is you do in that game.”
“Oh, my God.” Caleb snorted. “Did Mum just mention the SAS?”
“She did. Let her think she knows what she’s talking about. I won’t hear the end of it otherwise.”
When the call ended, Billie set her phone down and leaned back against the counter. She glanced over her shoulder, but Debra hadn’t moved from her spot. She was still lounging and still watching her with that soft, unmistakable look that had started to feel a lot like home.
