Page 106 of Only Ever You

“We?” Mrs P perked up.

“I think that’s my cue.” Bash came up the hall, and his hand that settled on her back made Faye’s breath hitch. Memories of his fingers being much lower last night were burned into her skin and roused awake every nerve inside of her at the memory.

Mrs Papplewick’s eyes glittered as they appraised him. “Hello there.”

Oh great,Faye internally groaned;anotherwoman who was infatuated with him. Bash barely had to say anything and Mrs P was already wrapped around his little finger.

“Mrs Papplewick, this is Bash.” Faye gestured up at him as if he needed the introduction. She could’ve thought Mrs P had won the lottery with the way she gasped.

“Your father never mentioned that you have a boyfriend now!”

“Oh he’s … We’re?—”

“Pleasure to meet you Mrs Papplewick.” Bash’s extended hand interrupted Faye’s flusteredness. “Sébastien.”

“Oh! You’re French.” A fact which lit up old Mrs P’s face like if she was thirty years younger, she might try for him.

“Oui Madame.?*” He winked, and Faye forced herself to not roll her eyes.

“We were just going to find something to make for dinner.” She set her hand on Bash’s arm and caught how he glanced down at her touch. No, she wasn’t trying to claim him back from a seventy year old woman. The little heat retained in the house escaped through the open door, that was all, so Faye wanted to wrap this introduction up quickly. “We’ve not managed to eat much today.”

Pity swelled in Mrs P’s eyes. “Oh, dearies. You should come round to mine for some dinner.”

“Oh no we couldn’t?—”

“What’ve you got cooking?” Bash leant his shoulder on the door frame, slipping away from Faye’s hold. She knew that charming glint in his eye and tilt in his lips; he did it on purpose.

Mrs P’s lashes fluttered in return and Faye was tempted to just leave them here together.Pasta and sauce for one, coming right up.

“Well my daughter and her wife were supposed to be coming to see me, but they weren’t going to make it with the accident on the motorway,” Mrs P said, too proud to do so. “So there’s cottage pie, roast potatoes. All of the trimmings.”

“That sounds really nice. We’d love to come over, wouldn’t we, Peanut?” Bash looked back at Faye with a cocky smile.As if butter wouldn't melt.

She turned her head to him slowly, her glare meeting his obnoxious grin. He was up to something and she didn’t like it. But the sound of a meal which neither of them had to prepare themselves sounded good.

“Yes. We would.” Faye forcibly infused some enthusiasm to her voice. “Thank you Mrs Papplewick.”

“Right then. Come round in ten.”

Bash smiled cutely while Mrs P already wandered off on the gravel driveway. “Thank you very much. See you in a few.”

Faye shut the door then was on him instantly.

“What are you doing?” she asked through her teeth, lest Mrs P hear her through the door.

Bash slid his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Do you want dinner or not?”

“We’re not taking advantage of my dad’s elderly neighbour.” She’d had enough done for her already this week, and after the way last night had jarred her emotions, Faye just wanted to eat, soak in a bath, and go to a bed where she might actually be able to sleep.

Bash’s shoulders inched towards his ears. “She. Offered,” he stressed. “What’s wrong with that?”

Ugh.“Fine.” Faye’d had enough of arguing too, and Mrs P expected them now, thanks to Bash and his stupid charm. “But stop flirting with her. If she tries to keep you, don’t blame me.”

“Jealous?” Bash tilted his head, his eyes flicking to her mouth as his own curled into a slanted smile.

“What?”

“It’s alright if you are.”

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