“Anyway, I better go before Marco docks my wages.”
I hear the sound of a door closing.
“I doubt that would happen. He looks at you like you walk on water.”
Smiling at that, I reply, “Nah, he’s just a softie.”
He grunts out a response. “Maybe, but to me his look screams ‘hurt her and I’ll rip you a new one’.”
I still feel guilty about how I practically threw him out in front of Marco as it is, so any animosity is because of me.
Gripping the back of my neck, I cringe. “Yeah, sorry about that.”
He lets out a breath. “Don’t be. Go on, I’ll let you get back to work. And congratulations, Vi, you should be really proud of yourself. I know I am.”
And just like that, my lower stomach jumps to life from his praise.
“Thank you.”
I hang up, unable to wipe away my smile. And now I’m not sure if it’s because of another audition or the way Nathan genuinely seemed pleased for me. I don’t even know why I rang him first. Maybe it’s because he showed up for me, which is more than many others have done. Take Max’s death, for instance. We both had groups of friends growing up, and after he died, it was as though they avoided me, didn’t know what to say, so they just kept away. Or maybe it was me who pushed them away. I won’t let myself go there, not when this is the best news, other than Char and Ethan having twins, I’ve had in what feels like a long time.
ChapterThirteen
NATHAN
“Are you sure you don’t mind babysitting?” Henry asks me for like the umpteenth time.
I punch him on the shoulder. “No, now give it a rest. You sound like a broken record.”
Meg comes downstairs, looking gorgeous.
Unable to help myself, I stick my fingers in my mouth and wolf whistle. I’m sure if Henry’s jaw wasn’t currently making friends with his chest about now, he’d give me a clip round the head.
“Looking good,” I say and wiggle my eyebrows.
She smiles, but her attention is all on Henry. Sometimes when I watch how happy my cousins are with their significant others, I get this sinking feeling in my gut because, deep down, I want a connection like that, but maybe it’s just not in the cards for me. I’m more of a good-time guy, according to a few women I’ve been with. And then there was the whole shit show that was Naomi.
“You sure you’re good?” Meg asks seriously. They are two peas in a pod.
“Absolutely, just go out and have a good time. I’ll see you both in the morning.”
She lets out a breath. “This is so weird. We haven’t had a night away from him since I moved in,” she says, and I can see how nervous that makes her. She stepped into the role of a mother figure for Jacob beautifully, even though she makes a point to mention Clara to Jacob all the time. It must be hard. Clara was always her best friend.
“I know, but you both deserve a night out.”
Henry nods and then holds out his fist for me to tap.
“Nathan, tea.” I look over to Jacob and laugh as he sets out his table with cups and saucers.
Meg walks over and leans down to kiss his cheek.
“See you tomorrow, little man,” she says, smoothing down her dress and then standing to her full height.
Henry swoops him up and makes him giggle before kissing the crown of his head, but Jacob holds out his hands to me.
What can I say? I’m his favourite.
“Go on, you two, piss off.”
