I shove the depressing thoughts away and sit up, pushing my mess of hair back. I keep thinking I’ll cut it and then never make an appointment, so it’s halfway down my back now. Vanity keeps it there because I know Xavi likes it. I’ve seen him eyeing it with a lusty gleam in his eye.
“Idiot,” I say out loud.
The curtains are open, and the Sound is spread out before me, glistening in the early morning light. The window is open, letting in a cool draft. It looks like a clear day, one of those rare ones that come in October when it feels like you’re having a last look at summer before the winter descends. My mood brightens. He might leave soon, but I will have this day with him, and I’m going to enjoy what I’ve been gifted because heisa gift. Sent by the universe to slightly level the scales of shit I’ve seen.
I grab my chain from the bedside table and slide it over my head. The links hit my chest, the wedding ring hanging on it a sweet, familiar weight. I don’t wear it on my hand—that would be ridiculous. But I’ve never managed to put it away. I’d tried toshove it in a drawer once, but I couldn’t, and I’d ended up buying a chain for it instead.
I head to the shower to wash the come off my belly. When I come out of the bedroom dressed and ready for the day, I can hear the radio before I even get to the top of the stairs. It’s hardly surprising. Xavi rarely listens to anything at a normal decibel level.
In the kitchen, Bernard bounds over for a pat. He’s very endearing, with an irrepressible spirit and a sweet nature.
“Is this breakfast or a rave?” I say, trying for grumpy but failing miserably. One look at me and Xavier will know how happy I am to have him here, giant dog and loud music included.
He’s at the counter putting something in bowls. “Just in time for breakfast,” he says with a wicked look on his sharp face.
I stop warily. “Are there chia seeds in it? You put them ineverything.”
He rolls his eyes. “Yes. Because they’re good for you. This time they’re in the overnight breakfast oats.”
“Shouldn’t oats be served hot with golden syrup?”
“Your arteries beg to differ.”
“My arteries used to be happy.” He sets the bowl in front of me. “Oh my god, there’sfruiton this. Can this day get any worse?”
“Yes,” he says in a dangerous voice. “It really can.”
I fight the twitch of my mouth and eat a spoonful. “It’s nice,” I say in surprise.
“Can you say that a bit louder?”
“You wouldn’t hear me over the music anyway.”
He laughs and settles himself on the stool next to me, his long legs wrapping around the rungs. This close, I can smell damp skin, shampoo, and cologne. It’s a warm, sexy smell. I sneak a glance at him. His hair is wet and combed back neatly from his pretty face. When it dries, it will be a wild mass of waves—his hair imitating his nature. His skin is a lovely, clear olive, and his long body looks gorgeous in those faded jeans that cling to his arse. I want to pound my chest when I see he’s pinched my black cashmere jumper to wear again. It satisfies some silly caveman impulse in me to see him wearing my clothes. They’re too big for him, but where someone else would look ridiculous, it just draws attention to the long, thin lines of his body and makes him look carelessly fashionable.
“Still want to go to Iona with me?” I ask, mentally crossing my fingers.
“Yeah, of course.” He frowns. “Will Bernard be okay on the ferry?”
We both look at Bernard, who was attempting to eat one of Xavier’s very expensive trainers, but immediately drops it and assumes an innocent expression.
“Surely the question should be if the ferry is ready for him.”
He looks anxious which I find unbearably endearing. “I mean, won’t he fall through the railings? What if he gets sick?”
“Unlikely. I don’t think dogs get seasick. And have you seen the size of your baby? It would be like trying to shove an aeroplane through a letterbox.”
“You’re so over the top.” He stands up. “I’ll just grab my jacket and sunglasses.”
I sit back on the stool. “Oh my. Which ones are you going to pick? I’m pretty sure we had thirty pairs delivered this week alone.”
“I’ve told you that fashion designers and stylists think it’s very important that my beauty is adorned properly. I wish you’d keep up.”
“I’ll try.”
I quickly do the dishes. Even making breakfast oats, he creates more mess than if he’d been making a three-course meal.
Once I’ve done, I grab my own jacket and an old pair of Ray-Bans and meet him at the door as he clips Bernard into his harness.
