He snorts. “You are the biggest liar that ever lied.”
I shake my head. “Elderlyrelative? That’s who you said you were meeting.”
He laughs. “Well, I wasn’t wrong.”
“And what does that make me? I’m the same age as your father.” I suck in a deep breath. “Oh my god, I fucked Jez’s son.”
He stops walking, and for the first time, I see anger on that sunny face. “I amnothis son. I’ve never been that, and I probably won’t be in the future. I’m my own person. Xavier Conway.”
I nod. “I’m sorry,” I say gravely. “You’re right.”
His crossness vanishes, and he smiles at me, sunny once more. “You can’t help it, daddy.”
“Please do notevercall me that,” I say, horrified.
He laughs. The sound is lovely—full of life and humour.
Jez reappears. “Are we eating in this century?” he snaps, his mouth turning down sulkily.
I sense the beginning of one of his moods. “Chill out,” I warn him.
Xavier’s watching him thoughtfully, and I usher him into the dining room, following Jez. I only realise my hand is on Xavier’s back when I feel the warm skin beneath the cotton of his T-shirt. I immediately drop my hand as if he’s scalded me.
The waiter seats us at a table overlooking the grounds. Fairy lights have been strung across the patio, and in the distance, the Sturgeon Moon hangs full and round, bathing the countryside in a silvery glow. I mentally frame the shot, and my fingers twitch as if searching for my camera. When I look up, Xavier is watching me.
I immediately reach for the menu. “I’m starving. What’s everyone having?”
The next few minutes are spent ordering food and drink, but when the waiter has left, an awkward silence falls. Jez stares moodily out of the window. I kick him hard on the ankle.
He jerks. “What the hell?”
I nod at Xavier, who’s currently watching the room with bright eyes.
Jez grimaces. “So, how are your grandparents?” he asks.
Xavier meets his gaze. “Oh, do you know them?”
Jez coughs and runs a finger along his collar. “Well, no.”
“Well, Cynthia and Brian are fine, thank you. Hale and hearty and running the local branch of the conservative association as if it’s their own personal fiefdom.”
I snort, and Jez directs a fulminating glance at me. “Well, that’s… That’s good,” he finally says.
Xavier props his chin on his hand. His ocean eyes are wide and sparkling with mischief. “So, you and my mum? Was it a love story to rival the ages? I’m sure it was.” He flutters his eyelashes.
Jez blinks, and I bite my lip to hold in my smile. “Have your grandparents told you anything about us?” Jez asks after a moment.
Xavier shakes his head in a very slow exaggerated fashion. I mouth at him out of Jez’s sightline,Don’t be naughty.
“Well, erm, it wasn’t really a big love story,” Jez mumbles. “No shade on your mum, of course.”
“Of course,” he replies gravely.
“We met at a club and had a bunk-up over a weekend.”
“Bunk-up?” I say, flabbergasted. “Bunk-up?”
He rolls his eyes. “Oh, shut up. Xavier knows how it is.”
