Chapter 65
Chapter sixty-five
“So, Thursday night. Dinner?” Billy asked, as she rebuttoned her shirt. When she reached the top, she realised she’d missed one and was completely out of sync.
Rosa brushed her hands away and took over, unbuttoning each one.
“I would like that, yes.”
“Good. I’ll book somewhere nice.” Billy smiled when Rosa’s blue eyes met hers. “I want to give you all the things I should have never let go of.”
“You think dinner in a fancy restaurant was what I missed?” Rosa’s fingers paused mid-button, her hands stilling against Billy’s chest.
“No, but I think it’s a start to how I mean to go on—putting you first, making it clear how important you are to me.”
“You just have to show up to do that, Billy.” She picked up the next button and brought her attention to it.
Billy lifted Rosa’s chin with a finger. “I’m doing that.”
Rosa’s lips curved. “Yes, you are. And you’re enjoying the benefits of it too.” Her smile widened.
Billy grinned like the cat that got the cream. “Yeah, well, I’m not sorry about that.”
Rosa finished the last button, her palms flattening against Billy’s chest, lingering there to feel the warmth beneath the fabric. “Neither am I.”
Billy leant in for one final kiss. “Time for work.” She sighed, not wanting to switch mental gears.
They left the flat hand in hand, only separating when they reached their cars.
“I’ll call tonight,” Billy said over the roof of the car before opening the door and climbing inside. Her phone was in the console, switched to silent. She glanced at it—no missed calls. Through the window, she watched Rosa back out of the parking spot, waved, and then followed.
Today was a good day. She grinned and hummed along to the tune playing on the radio.
“Ah, Rosa, there you are.” Roger smiled as Rosa entered the kitchen. “I was looking for that file on the lost Incas…can’t quite remember where I put it.”
“I think it’s…” Rosa placed her bag down and moved a box out of the way, finding a pile of manila files Roger had sent back down to be put away. “Here.” She lifted the file in question and handed it to him.
“Wouldn’t know what to do without you.” He chuckled and took it. “Did you have a good lunch?”
“Uh, yes, thank you.” She felt her heart race. “Sorry, I’m a bit late back, I’ll make up for the time.”
“Not to worry. I didn’t notice you were gone until I needed this.” He waved the folder. “A cup of tea on my desk in ten and we’ll call it even, how does that sound?”
“Perfect.” Rosa smiled and slid off her jacket. “I’ll bring it right up.”
He was about to turn away when he stopped and studied her for a moment. “You look different. Have you changed your hair?”
Instinctively, her hand raised and fingers trailed through her blonde locks. “No, nothing more than a trim,” she replied.
“Maybe you just look…happier, or maybe I’m a silly old fool reading too much into it, but people are my business—noticing things.”
Rosa smiled, heat rising up her chest. “I…well, yes, I guess I am happier.”
“Good for you, Rosa, good for you.”
This time, he did turn and walk away, and Rosa found herself straightening, confidence oozing back into her.
It was a good day, she thought, humming to herself as she filled the kettle.