Page 80 of Forever Not Yours

I started the engine and reversed out of our parking space. Flossie was in her travelling cage in the back. She whimpered, still not happy despite me doing a trial run with her in the cage earlier today.

“She doesn’t like it. If she still whimpers when we hit the M1, we might have to stop and take her out.”

“Safer in the cage,” Jake pointed out.

“I agree. It’s strapped in properly. I got the guy at the pet store to fit it forme.”

“Well done.”

He was impressed with me. Good. Or maybe not.

“Where are we going, Bastien?”

“Well.” I paused, waiting for the traffic. Smooth turn. Straight lines. “You know that dreadful stag do.”

“Yes.” He grimaced. “Don’t remind me.”

“Well. I thought, let’s pretend that didn’t happen. Because what I originally wanted for that weekend was what we’re going to do today. We’re going away, just you and me. Simple. Easy.”

“Go on,” he urged me, shifting in his seat so he could watch me. He reached out and stroked my cheek. He hadn’t been joking about trying that new thing called affection. All of the affection. Like he couldn’t keep his hands off me at times. Was I complaining? Absolutely not.

“Thought you were going out with Juliet tonight?”

“Not happening. I’m setting boundaries on that one. Not good for me. Not good for her. We agreed.”

“Proud of you.”

“I’m proud of me too. Faye is taking her.”

“You sure know how to delegate.”

“I absolutely do. Also? Juliet needs new friends. People who know who she is and what she’s like and still think the sun shines out of her arse.”

“And Faye does?”

“Well, Faye thinks she needs a good spanking. We’ve made a mental list of people we need to spank. Virtually, of course.”

“You’re weird.”

“Nope. I’m perfectly normal.” Another new thing I’d realised. I was, actually.

“Bastien.” I knew. Avoidance. I just smiled.

“I’m taking you up to Mum and Dad’s. We’re having a weekend of getting cups of tea in bed and a full English and all that. Plus, you’re getting a right treat tonight.”

“Okay?” He was laughing at me. I liked it. So much.

“I’m taking you out to Nando’s. Greasy chicken and bad beer. And then afterwards, we’re going to the finest nightclub in Peterborough.”

“Please, no. Come on. I don’t do dancing.”

“You do. It’s queer night, and apparently, it’s legendary. The good thing? Nobody knows us there. I haven’t been out at home since I was sixteen and notsure about anything, so we’re definitely doing this. Going out. I’m showing you off. Then we can sleep it all off at home and get Mum to nurse us through the aftereffects.”

“Your poor parents.” His head was now in his hands. I got that.

“Well, you’re just going to stand there and smile sweetly as I officially come out to my mum and dad.”

“You’re going to?”

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