Page 19 of Oblivious

I shrug and sit. Fitz sits on my lap, leaning against my chest. It’s not the first time he’s sitting on my knee, and I doubt it will be the last. It’s a good thing he’s small and light, or I’d consider complaining.

Vanessa returns to the room and stops dead, staring at us.

“Do I have two heads?” Fitz asks, reaching up to check.

I chuckle. Vanessa shakes her head as she pats Luna. The greyhound deigns to open her eyes and lift her head the barest of fractions to look at her owner. She even wags her tail a couple of times before relaxing.

Vanessa sits in the second chair. “I was about to tell you more about Beatrice, but I might tell her you’ve already got a date.”

“But I don’t,” I say.

She arches an eyebrow and then sighs as she wipes her hands over her face. “Adrian, I love you, but you’re dense sometimes.”

I blink at her. “Excuse me?”

She gestures to Fitz and me. “You’rebothdense.”

“I’m not following you,” Fitz admits. “Do you think Beatrice would prefer pork or beef?”

“The pork with cabbage and apples you mentioned last night sounds delicious,” I say.

“I know, but beef might be more romantic. Vanessa?”

My sister just stares at us, her jaw slack.

“How would you cook the beef?” I ask as I try to ignore my sister’s weirdness.

“I’m not sure. Maybe with garlic spinach and Hasselback potatoes.” Fitz taps his knee. “But the pork is probably a safer bet.”

“Why?”

“You like beef medium to rare, but what if Beatrice likes her steak cooked differently? Plus, spinach can be divisive.”

“It’s pretty tasteless.”

“It wouldn’t be if it was cooked with garlic. But you’re right. I’ll stick with making pork for you both.”

“Oh my God,” Vanessa says despairingly.

“What?” I ask again. I’m getting slightly irritated by her.

“I’m going to tell Beatrice you’ve got other plans.”

“But I don’t.”

“What are you doing for Valentine’s, Fitz?”

He shrugs. “Nothing. One of my brothers wants me to cook for him and his girlfriend, but I’ll probably sort out their food the day before. Once I’ve cooked a meal for Adrian and Beatrice, I’ll make myself scarce. I might go to the cinema.”

“I thought you were going to your parents?” I ask.

“Nah, they have Valentine’s plans for the first time in forever. I think Mum finally twisted Dad’s arm into taking her out. He hates the commercialism of it all.”

“So let me get this straight,” Vanessa says. “You’re going to cook a meal for my brother, but you’re not going to eat it?”

“Why wouldIeat it?” Fitz asks. “I’m not his date.”

Vanessa slaps her hand to her face.