Page 35 of The Suitcase Swap

Sophie couldn’t detect any dismay in him at her choice, but she didn’t detect any relief, either. He was frustratingly difficult to read. For herself, she felt an odd mix of both, and couldn’t quite tell how she felt about the decision. Still, she forced herself to smile. ‘Friends.’

He held out the package, his manner deliberately casual. ‘I got you a little something.’

Sophie couldn’t hold back her smile. Sheadoredpresents, and the sad fact was, she rarely got them any more from anyone except her son and Marisa on special occasions, and Edie. Inside the parcel was a very nice journal, the cover bound in theStarry Nightprint, a subtle nod to the way they’d met. There was also a very nice pen.

Mike frowned at the gift. ‘It seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I’m feeling like even more of a muppet. I just thought – you said you made lists of your ideas. For work. I use these same journals for my work, and they’re very good.’ He grimaced. ‘Should have got flowers . . .’

The journal prismed in her vision as her eyes welled up. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. ‘I love it.’

He gave a startled laugh and hugged her back. ‘I’m so glad. Thought it had gone pear-shaped again.’

‘No,’ Sophie said, giving him another squeeze and then letting him go. ‘It’s perfect.’

And that was the worst of it – it reallywas,the gift beautiful and thoughtful at the same time.Which was fine. Great, actually. That just meant he’d be the perfect friend. Which was exactly what she needed. Nothing else.

Despite how firmly she said this to herself, she wasn’t entirely sure she believed it.

Chapter Ten

‘You’re sweating,’ Sophie said. ‘Are you okay? We can stop at any time.’

‘Absolutely not,’ Mike panted. ‘We’re doing this.’ Even if it killed him, they were doing this. And it might. It might actually kill him.

‘We don’thaveto do this. Do you want me to stop recording?’

‘No. I’m enjoying it,’ Mike grunted. ‘Promise.’

‘You don’tlooklike you’re enjoying it.’ Sophie sounded sceptical. She had every right to be sceptical.Hewas sceptical.

‘My pride is at stake here, Sophie. I have staying power. I can prove it.’ Mike swiped at his forehead, breathing hard, his voice sounding husky to his own ears. ‘I’m seeing this through.’ He was somewhat relieved that only half of the tables at Xi’an Famous Foods were full. Fewer people to watch his downfall.

Sophie laughed, digging her chopsticks into her bowl. ‘I thought you liked spicy foods.’

‘I do,’ Mike said plaintively. He grabbed his napkin, dabbing at his forehead. ‘My kids are going to mock me relentlessly, and I can’t say I blame them.’

Sophie smirked as she dug into the container for a spicy cucumber. ‘Why is that?’

‘Tara’s grandparents were from India. She cooked a lot of curries. Ilikecurries.’ Mike downed half of his water. ‘How are you not dying?’

Sophie shrugged. ‘I like spicy food.’ She used her chopsticks to expertly shovel another wide noodle into her mouth, then rolled her eyes and groaned in pure bliss. ‘These aredelicious.’

Mike was sweating, his mouth on fire, and the sight of Sophie groaning in almost orgasmic bliss almost shorted out his brain.Friends, he reminded himself. They werefriends.His unhelpful brain chose that moment to pipe up, pointing out that friends didn’t usually know how each other tasted. He took another bite of his dumpling in an attempt to get his brain to shut up.

Sophie snickered. ‘Why do you keep eating?’

‘Because they’re delicious,’ Mike said. ‘And I never learn.’

‘It’s a different kind of spicy,’ Sophie said. ‘Or maybe you’re out of practice. When’s the last time you had spicy food?’

Mike placed his palms flat on the metal table. He was pretty sure that when he removed them, he’d see a steamy outline of each of his fingers on the shiny surface. ‘It’s been a while,’ he admitted. Indian food had been intimately linked with thoughts of Tara and after she’d passed, he’d been unable to face any of his favourite dishes unless his children were present. Even then, he’d still felt sad, he’d just tamped it down, unwilling to ruin their own happy associations with his grief.

‘Maybe you need to build your tolerance back up.’ Sophie nudged the cucumber salad towards him. ‘If you want any more, now is the time. Otherwise, I will eat the entire container.’

Mike gamely scooped up another bite with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. The cucumbers were crisp, the marinade delicious. He swallowed them, then grabbed another, getting a chilli this time. He ate it anyway because he refused,refusedto shy away.

Sophie grabbed another dumpling. ‘I read somewhere that spicy food is good for your sex drive.’

Mike choked, coughing the chilli pepper he’d just swallowed back up. Which wouldn’t have been a problem, but it landed somewhere in the back of his sinuses. And itburned. Oh god.

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