“Just on eBay and Facebook.” I don’t tell him I couldn’t afford to renew the hosting for my website.
“Who knows? I’ve never heard anyone talk about it,” he says, grabbing both freezer bags.
“No one knows.” I grab my keys. “Are you sure about this? You could barely tolerate me not so long ago, and now you’re offering me a room for the night?” I turn, and he’s standing over me. I tilt my head and look up while he shuffles the bags in his hands.
“Why do you think I couldn’t tolerate you?” he asks, raising his eyebrow.
I roll my eyes and wave my hands for him to get moving. “Well, you’ve always been kind ofoffwith me. I’ve seen how friendly you are with everyone else.”
He stops abruptly, and I slam into his back. He turns and looks down, his eyes so dark in this light. “You’re mistaken. It was never because I couldn’t tolerate you—the opposite, in fact. Now, come on, let’s get your frozen goods back on ice,” he says, spinning on his heels, leaving me speechless.
Chapter Fifteen
RACHEL
I should have said I’d stay with a friend, let him be none the wiser, but I didn’t, and now I’m standing in the middle of his kitchen while he packs all my food into his freezer.
An excessive buzzing hums through my bag. I dig around and pull it free—Marcus. “What’s wrong? Is Molly okay?”
“Calm down, she’s fine, but—“
“What, Marcus?” I turn and head into the living room, eyeing the bookcase, wondering what his fascination is with the same book.
“I need to bring Molly back.”
I close my eyes; he has got to be shitting me. “Back where, Marcus? I told you there’s no power.”
“Sweetheart, I have to go to a work thing.”I can’t believe him.“And before you swear, you’re on speakerphone.”
I shake my head and spin around. Olly’s leaning on the doorframe, one leg crossed over the other.
“Where are you?” I sigh into the phone.
I hear the sound of him flicking the indicator before he answers. “About ten minutes from yours.”
“I’ll call you back.” I hang up before he can say another word.
“I need to go home. Marcus needs to bring Molly back,” I say to Olly, unable to keep my irritation at bay.
“Get him to drop her off here.” I shake my head. “I’m good with kids—hello, foster kid,” he says as if it’s enough of an explanation.
“Oliver, I can’t impose on you like that. We’ll be fine at mine.”
He walks towards me in purposeful strides. “No, not happening. Don’t make me call my mum.” He crosses his arms over his chest, and I’m momentarily speechless.
“Okay, fine.”
I swipe my phone and call him back. “You’ll need to drop her where I’m staying.”
“Cool where?” I roll my eyes and look at Olly who mouths the address I can’t remember off the top of my head.
“He won’t be long,” I tell Olly when I get off the phone.
He nods and then turns back to the kitchen. I don’t know why I’m so nervous, but I am.
My phone vibrates with a text.Outside
I let myself out and approach the car just as Marcus unbuckles Molly and helps her down, handing me her bags. He kisses her on top of the head, and no sooner has he arrived, he’s calling outbyeand getting back in his car. And then he’s gone.
