Page 48 of While I’m Still Here

“The serious one. I don't like it.”

“You told me you have cancer two hours ago. I'm allowed occasional seriousness.”

“Thirty seconds at a time only, please. It’s exhausting.”

“Fine.” His smile returns, but softer this time. Then he looks at me for another second and asks, “Colin?”

Fuck.

My stomach drops. “What about him?”

Danny's eyebrows lift. “Come on.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

“His car was outside this morning.”

“He drove me.”

“He also looked like he wanted to murder me at last year's Christmas party when you sat on my lap.”

I stare at him. “He did not.”

“Bea, I thought I was going to die over Secret Santa.”

My mind immediately produces an image of Colin standing across the pub while Danny's hand rested on my waist.

Oh.

Oh, the fucking idiot.

“Apparently, everyone knew except me.” I sigh. “Colin told me he's been in love with me for seven years.”

Danny goes very still and I watch his eyebrows rise. “Seven?”

“Fucking years.”

“And you didn't know?”

“Apparently I'm an idiot.”

“I'm not touching that.”

“Wise.”

His gaze moves over my face. “What happened?”

“That is none of your business.”

The corner of his mouth lifts. “So… something happened.”

“I didn't say that.”

“You've gone red, James.”

“I'm warm, dickhead.”

“It's September.”