Chapter 26 #2
‘Harlow, come and help me with dinner, please.’
Great, now Connie’s in on it.
‘Okay.’
Harlow walks towards the kitchen as slow as molasses on a cold day, watching Drew the entire way with a silly grin on her face. When she finally disappears around the corner, I look back at him.
‘Hi,’ he says again, only this time I don’t reply.
I’ve been replaying our fight all day, scrutinising each misstep. And now that he’s standing in my entry, I’m torn. I have no idea what to say to him and at the same time, I have so much to say.
‘Can we talk?’ he asks and I cough out a dry laugh. ‘Oh-kay… Never mind, I’ll just g—’
He turns to leave.
‘No, sorry,’ I blurt. He stops, his hand on the doorknob, and turns back around. ‘I wasn’t laughing at you. It was ironic, that’s all. I was thinking the same thing.’
‘Oh, so… we can talk?’ he asks, the left side of his mouth hitching in a hopeful half-smile.
‘Yes, but… Why don’t you go into the lounge,’ I say, pointing behind him. ‘I’ll be there in a sec.’
I race up the stairs, unfurling the turban as I go and running my fingers through my hair.
In my bedroom, I fling open a drawer and rummage for my jeans, slip them on, then grab a bra and a T-shirt, getting dressed in record time.
I check my reflection – not much of a step up from the towel-turban-and-fluffy-robe combo, but it’ll have to do. I can’t keep Drew waiting forever.
Drawing in a bracing breath, I head downstairs and enter the lounge. Drew’s on one end of the sofa and I sit on the other end.
‘I really want—’ he says.
‘I think it was—’ I start.
We exchange awkward smiles.
‘Sorry,’ he says, ‘you go ahead.’
‘You sure?’
‘No,’ he replies honestly, his expression strained.
I look away, training my gaze on the fireplace. ‘Sleeping together was a mistake,’ I say quietly.
‘Oh.’
I jerk my head towards him, surprised by his surprise. ‘You don’t agree?’ I ask.
‘God no. It was… incredible. I mean, the sex was great, but that’s not what I’m talking ab— Okay, judging from the look on your face, I’m sucking at this.’ He faces me straight on, his eyes boring into mine.
‘Sophie, our time together in Switzerland was incredible because of who you are and how I feel when I’m with you.
I can be myself. And I don’t want this to be just a fling.
I like you – I really like you as a person.
I think you’re smart and kind and you make me laugh.
And I know I messed up with the whole bonus thing and I’m so, so sorry about that. It was disrespectful and—’
‘It wasn’t,’ I say, not letting him finish.
Confusion washes over Drew’s face and we stare at each other. It’s my turn to talk but I can’t find the words – I’m too stuck on all the lovely things he just said.
‘But Gen told me…’ He shakes his head, dropping his eyes to the rug.
‘You talked to Genevieve?’
He nods, then looks up. ‘Before I came here. And she was great – very big sisterly. She basically told me I was being a condescending dick.’
I gawp at him and after a beat, I burst into laughter. ‘She said that?’
‘Well, no, not in so many words, but that was the gist. Look, I really am sorry, Sophie. I think you’re an amazing mom and I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. I… I fucked up.’
‘Me too – I got defensive. But I’ve been on my own for so long now,’ I say, my throat tightening.
‘And I’m doing my best, you know, but you were right – I can’t afford to take Harlow home to Australia, which I hate, and then you offered the money and it pissed me off.
But that’s a me thing. I know you meant well. ’
He nods, inching closer, and I take in a long slow breath.
‘I did mean well,’ he says, trailing his thumb over my jawline, making me shiver. ‘You know, I really do think you deserve that bonus.’
‘You won’t let up on that, will you?’
He shakes his head.
‘How about we split it?’ I suggest.
‘Really?’ he asks, breaking into a grin.
‘Yeah,’ I say, smiling back. ‘I’ll add it to the travel fund – we can go next year.’
He looks deep into my eyes. ‘Is it too soon to invite myself along?’
‘To Australia?’ He nods. ‘Maybe…’ I tease, but the playfulness quickly turns to nerves. We’re really doing this. Well, if we are, then I need to tell him. ‘I like you too,’ I whisper.
He doesn’t speak – he just leans in close and gives me a tender kiss.
I close my eyes, sinking into it, my hands reaching up and my fingers lacing behind his neck.
‘Yay!’
Drew and I jump apart, both turning towards the doorway where Harlow is beaming at us. We break into laughter, sharing an embarrassed look.
‘Are you staying for dinner, Drew?’ asks Connie, peering over Harlow’s head.
‘That would be great, thanks.’
‘Excellent. I’ve made shepherd’s pie.’
‘Oh, I love shepherd’s pie. And what about dessert?’
‘Oi, cheeky,’ I scoff, giving him a gentle nudge in the ribs.
‘I’ve got apple crumble in the oven,’ says Connie with a wink. ‘Come on, Harlow. You can set the table.’
‘But I already set—’ Connie gives her a pointed look. ‘Oh!’ She makes the ‘squee’ face at me, then they leave us.
‘You sure you’re ready for all this?’ I ask Drew.
‘Abso-frigging-lutely.’ He gives me a quick kiss, then gets up. ‘You coming?’
‘Yep.’
He holds out his hand and I take it.