Chapter 56
As I start walking away from the tram stop, rain getting heavier, I make two phone calls. The first is to my mother, to check she’s on board with what I’m about to suggest. The second is to Leo.
‘Hiya, what’s up?’
‘Do you think if I ask Grandma to drop Jacob off, you could hold the fort for an hour or so? I’m going to be a bit late tonight, that’s all.’
‘Yeah,’ he says, surprised. ‘That’s fine. I’ll look after him. I mean . . . should I make our dinner? I can if you want.’
‘If you like, or I could order you both a pizza.’
‘Ooh yeah. Good idea. I’ll do his homework with him too.’
I raise an eyebrow.
‘Thanks, Mum. See you later. And don’t rush home. I’ll really look after him, I promise.’
Zach mentioned earlier that he’d got into work at 5am so was planning to leave early. Which means he must be at home.
I turn away from the tram stop and look in the direction of Zach’s flat. Am I really going to do this?
Oh, fuck it.
It takes less than five minutes until I’m in the car park of his apartment block. I’m still trying to work out whether this is a bad idea and I should just head back to the tram. I check my phone, but he hasn’t responded.
I head around to the side of the building. The gym is on the ground floor, with a waterside view. The moment I turn the corner, I see him through the glass on a treadmill, his arms and legs pumping at an unfeasible speed, his expression one of total concentration.
He sees me immediately and I have a pang of concern that he might think I’m stalking him.
But the look that spreads across his face is one of pure delight. He slams on a button, slows to a walk, then a stop. He gestures to the entrance, then steps off the machine to go and let me in.
‘Come for a workout?’ he grins, holding open the door.
‘I’m not dressed for it, sadly.’
The room isn’t huge but it’s bright and airy, with a handful of state-of-the-art machines, as well as some of those ceiling-mounted suspension trainers that I’m not sure what you’re supposed to do with. Zach is wearing pale grey shorts and a slate-coloured T-shirt. His muscular limbs glisten with fresh, clean sweat.
‘I was actually passing and thought you might be around for a drink, but if you’re busy . . .’
‘What about the boys?’
‘Brendan’s in town. Last-minute thing. He’s taking them to Wagamama’s, so I’ve got a couple of spare hours. But, honestly, if you’re still working out . . .’
He narrows his eyes. ‘I think you know already that I’d take you over a treadmill any day, Lisa.’
‘Well, I didn’t like to be presumptuous.’
‘Get outta here.’ Then his smile fades and his eyes lower to my lips. ‘Damn, I want to kiss you, but I’m super sweaty,’ he murmurs, stepping back as he pulls his T-shirt away from his body.
I reach out and pull him back. ‘I don’t really care.’
He sinks the briefest of kisses into my lips. He tastes of salt and spearmint.
‘ I care,’ he says. ‘Come on. I’ll take a quick shower then I’m all yours.’
We head out of the internal door and he calls the lift. We step inside and he presses the button to the seventh floor, before swiping his pass.
We stand side by side.
‘Well, this is bringing back very pleasant memories,’ he says, smiling to himself.
‘Still, if you don’t want me to touch you until you’ve showered . . .’
He turns to me. ‘I’m regretting that decision.’
The door pings open.
We step out and walk to his apartment, where he lets us in.
‘Help yourself to anything. I’ll be three minutes tops,’ he says, heading into the bathroom.
It’s not quite as spotless as the last time I was here, but it’s clear that Zach leads a relatively well-ordered life. Or maybe that’s just compared with me, because it’s a damn sight more presentable than my house was when he caught me unawares. I slip off my shoes, not daring to walk on that cream carpet, and head to the dining table. A printed-out packing list sits next to a highlighter pen. The reminder that soon he won’t be here makes an unexpected shock of heat prick behind my eyes.
Just don’t think about it.
Next to that is one of Mila’s pictures – a depiction of what I presume to be her and Zach. They have stick limbs and she’s wearing a triangular dress, while he has a scrawl of curly black hair on his head.
‘I really hope that in real life my hair doesn’t look quite so pubic .’
I chuckle and look up, but the laughter dissolves in my mouth the moment I see him. He has a white towel around his waist. His tanned skin is still damp. I’m not sure if he’s still pumped after his workout, but every sculpted contour of his torso seems to glisten in the soft evening light.
‘I . . . wouldn’t worry too much.’
‘Gimme two minutes to get dressed.’
But as he goes to turn around, I touch his hand. He stops. Turns around again. Moves into my arms.
‘Or . . . maybe not.’