Page 11 of Kiss Me Honey Hone

“No. Very much not.Those things will—”

“Kill me.” Aaron approached his desk, clutching the strap of his bag. “We both know that ain’t true.”

“No? What will?”

“This.” Aaron inhaled, chest rising. “Not talking to you.”

“Aaron…”

“Look, I just came to tell you that Dr Riley said she can’t do the next couple of weeks. She’s off for some conference thing. She’s given me homework, though.” Aaron rolled his eyes. “Swear you lot don’t want me to have any social life.”

Kenny rotated a classy silver fountain pen between his two fingers. “What’s the homework?”

“Would you believe I have to write down how I’m feeling? Put them into neat little columns. Find triggers and patterns.”

“Sensible.”

“Yeah. So far, I’ve discovered I have an aversion to my new first year neighbour’s grime choices. Get eye twitches and everything. Kids these days, eh? No one likes the classics anymore. What’s wrong with a bit of Dusty Springfield now and then, eh?”

Kenny tried to hide his smile, but Aaron knew it was there. Beneath the guarded layers he’d built up.

“So, yeah,” Aaron said, avoiding his heart telling him to jump in Kenny’s lap and not take no for an answer. “Just wanted you to know I’m not dodging the therapy. I’ll restart in November. Via bus.”

Kenny nodded, the hexagon pattern of the spinning pen catching the lights above. “Thanks for letting me know.”

“You’re welcome.” Aaron went to move toward the door. “And nice sidestep, by the way. The Howells? You’re gonna have to talk about it when I’m in here. It’s the reason I’m here, after all. Don’t omit it on my behalf.”

Kenny threw the pen on the desk, then rubbed his forehead. “Noted.”

Aaron turned to leave, but Kenny prevented him this time.

“How was your birthday?”

Aaron twisted back. “Shit.” He smiled. “Like your holiday.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

“I’m having a party thrown in my honour at the weekend. But I guess it won’t match up to last year’s.”

It looked as though Kenny might say something, but the doors to the side swung open and in popped Kenny’s PhD student. “Dr Lyons?”

“Yes, Vinnie?”

“The police are here to see you.”

He obviously didn’t see Aaron from where he was, because he admitted DI Jack Bentley right inside. The suited blond Detective Inspector smiled at Kenny first, like he would an old friend—an oldlover—then flinched with surprise at Aaron.

Kenny clambered out of his seat. “Jack?”

“Ke—Dr Lyons.” Jack nodded in greeting at Aaron. “Aaron.”

“Detective.” Aaron held up his hands in mock surrender. “I didn’t do it.”

“Ha. Yeah.” Jack tutted. “We’ll see about that. Have I interrupted something?”

“No,” Kenny threw out. “Just finished my lecture. Aaron here has his seminar now.”

“I do. Then I’ll be pole dancing in the corridor to draft the freshers into our club.” Aaron nodded to Jack. “You should hang around, DI Bentley. Reckon that’s right up your street. Fancy having a go? Bet you’d look sexy as fuck upside down.” Aaron rubbed his own nipples over his hoodie then stuck his tongue out with a suggestive wink.

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