Page 28 of Pretty Mess

His mouth twitches. “I would like to see you again.”

“Really?”

He raises that fucking eyebrow again. “Shouldn’t I?”

“Oh no,” I say quickly. “I mean, yes, you should. It’s just that I thought this was a one-pump deal.” I grimace. “I mean, I thought this was a come-and-go deal. Or an, um?—”

Amusement is now playing openly on his mouth as he blessedly interrupts me. “I don’t conduct my affairs here, but I would like to see you again.”

“To do what we just did?” I check.

He shrugs. “That would do for a start.”

I think of how hard I just came and find myself nodding without thinking. “Yes, I’d like that.”

“Then I’ll contact you, and you can meet me at a hotel if that would be amenable to you?”

“Of c-course.”

He nods and, without another word, walks out of the room. The click of the door brings sense back into my brain, and I jump to my feet, racing over to pull open the door.

“Wait,” I say from the doorway. “You don’t know how to contact me.”

The corridor is empty.

five

I lean back against the pillows on the bed and can almost feel the stillness of the flat surround me. Julian isn’t home yet.

I swap the phone to my other ear. “So, you’re really okay?”

“I’mfine,” Cath says for what feels like the twentieth time.

“Did you get the money?”

“I did, and you shouldn’t have done that.”

I’d put a grand in her bank account this morning. It had felt good. “Of course I should. I know your mum’s struggling at the moment.”

“That’s not your problem, though.”

“We’re family, aren’t we?” I say and hold my breath, relaxing as she immediately says yes. “Well then, don’t worry about it.”

“But a grand, Wes. That’s such a lot of money.” She hesitates. “Where did it come from?”

I can hear the suspicion in her voice, but I can’t blame her. “Not the gee gees, so don’t worry.”

She sighs, and it’s loud down the phone. “There are more ways to get in trouble than betting on the horses. Where did you get it?”

“Savings,” I say airily.

“Savings? Pull the other one, Wes. Tell me the truth.”

“That is the truth.” I think quickly. “I had it left over from my tuition fees.” I hope she doesn’t think too deeply about that, or she’ll know it’s not true. “I was going to give it to you and Tyler to thank you for all you’ve done for me.” I grimace. “But now I’m thinking it’s probably safer with you.”

“Youthink?”

I snort, and there’s a comfortable silence for a second. “You’re okay, though?” I say again. “You haven’t heard from those men again?”