My eyes widen in horror. “W-why would you do that?” I stammer.
“I’m an idiot, that’s why. It slipped out and now he’s not talking to me, and he told me we are going to have a serious talk when he gets home.”
“Oh, shit. Maybe you have ruined it,” I murmur.
Alastar frowns again and I shake my head. “Just stay in your room and we will catch up tomorrow.”
“Can we go out tomorrow night?”
I hesitate, even though I know I need to make the effort. “Yes. I will call you in the morning.”
“Okay, bye. Love you.” She hangs up.
“What’s wrong?” Alastar asks.
I blow out a breath and roll my eyes. “Brielle watched her boss jack off the other night.”
His eyes widen.
“And I think she likes him. Tonight she booby trapped his date and he wants to have a serious talk with her when he gets home.”
“Oh.” He smirks.
“Do you want to come out with us tomorrow night to distract her?” I smile sweetly.
“No, I’m having Thomas over for dinner.”
I nod, dejected.
“Why don’t you both have dinner here with us and then you two can go out after?”
I smile. “Really?”
He smiles warmly and pulls me to lie over him. “Yes, I’m not ready to let you go just yet.” He kisses my forehead gently.
I blow out a depressed, deep breath into his chest. I’m not ready for you to let me go, either. I put my head down on his chest and stare into the fire. In fact, I’m not sure I ever want you to.
* * *
I sit at the kitchen bench drinking my wine as I watch Alastar cook like a well-oiled machine. He obviously does this a lot.
“Thomas comes over often?”
He nods as he cuts up the vegetables. “Aye.”
I sip my wine as I think. “And where does he live?”
“Across town.”
“When did he move here?”
He picks up his glass and narrows his eyes as he thinks. “He will have been here about five years now.”
“And how long have you been here in London?”
“I moved here when I was twenty-one.”
“How old are you now?”
“That would be telling.” He smirks.
I smile into my glass.
“What?” he asks.
“Your accent.”
He smiles. “What about my accent?”
“It’s dreamy.”
He shakes his head and flicks the tea towel over his shoulder and returns to his chopping duties. “Dreamy,” he repeats to himself. He turns to me and takes me into his arms. “You are the only dreamy one around here.” He breathes into my neck and I laugh out loud as he kisses me.
Thomas stops on the spot as he walks through the kitchen door, and we both look up, startled. “Hello, Emmaline.” He smiles. “Sorry for interrupting.” His eyes flick between Alastar and me.
“Hello.” I smile nervously.
Alastar kisses me gently again before letting me go.
Thomas walks over to the kitchen counter I am sitting at.
“Pour yourself a drink. Brielle will be here soon to tell us about her wanker of a boss.” Alastar smirks.
* * *
Four hours and four bottles of wine later we are all very loud and giggly as we sit around the grand dining table. Alastar is a wonderful cook, he even made apple pie and cream, my favorite dessert of all time. Brielle is the most relaxed I have seen her since we arrived and she is getting on wonderfully with the boys. Thomas is lovely, different to Alastar, but lovely. Alastar is intense and serious while Thomas seems like a gentle, happy soul.
“Now, Brielle.” Alastar holds his glass in the air. “Do tell us about this wanker boss of yours.”
Her mouth drops open in shock and I burst out laughing. I really should stop drinking. I’m getting really drunk.
“You told him?” she shrieks.
“Yes, she told me.” Alastar laughs.
“What’s going on? I don’t get it.” Thomas glances between the two of them.
Brielle shakes her head. “No, I’m not going there.” She bursts into laughter along with me. This is a funny story.
“Tell me!” Thomas yells in a I’ve had a bottle of wine too much voice.”
“Okay.” Brielle waves her glass around too much and wine sloshes over the side of the glass.
“So, I have this boss.”
I watch Alastar, and his eyes dance with delight as he drinks his wine and listens to the story. I smile broadly. This is a happy time.
I look back at Brelly.
“Yes,” Thomas replies. “And?”
Brielle shakes her head in denial. “Anyway.”
“Tell them.” I point at her.
“No.” She laughs stupidly.
“Tell us what?” Alastar demands.
“She likes him.” I grin.
“Ohh,” the boys collectively chime and we all laugh out loud.
“Now we are getting somewhere.” Thomas smiles broadly.
Brielle holds her two fingers up in a pinching symbol and squints. “Little bit,” she whispers.
“He’s old.” I laugh.
The boys both look at me. “How old?” Alastar asks.
“He’s not old,” Brielle snaps.
“Tell us woman. How fucking old?” Thomas yells and we all burst into laughter again.