Page 47 of In This Together

‘Oh my God, this biryani is todiefor,’ Andrea said, lost in a world of slow-cooked-lamb-bliss.

‘I told you, it’s the best Indian food in the city,’ Tommy said, not bothering to pause between bites.

They worked their way down 70 per cent of the meal before they called it quits and gave the dog the scraps he was allowed to eat.

They lay back on their sofas, groaning about their gluttony and consequent bloating, and bickering about which song they should listen to next.

Andrea couldn’t remember the last time she’d spent a night like this. Fully relaxed, in company she truly enjoyed. It was a shame it would be six-to-twelve months – based on historic experience – before she saw Tommy again. She liked the new him, who was very much like the old him except a little more mature and worldly.

They were playing a game of one person naming an artist or band and the other choosing their best song. Currently, Bon Jovi’s ‘Bed of Roses’ was playing, which Andrea considered to be the band’s best track. Tommy wholly disagreed.

‘It’s hands down “Always”,’ he said.

‘No way. “Bed of Roses” is incredible. The melody, Jon’s voice. That build right before the chorus. Would you just listen to that, please?’

‘I’m listening, baby, and I’m saying you called it wrong.’

There was something about the way he called her ‘baby’ that made her think about Hunter for the first time in hours. In hindsight, she couldn’t stand the way he had called her ‘kiddo’ all the time, especially in a post-coital moment. What was that? Some kind of reference to her being his daughter’s friend? A power play?

The way Tommy called her ‘baby’ right then was nothing like the same. It was affectionate, familiar, not intended to be demeaning at all, despite the fact they were bickering.

‘Hey, you still here?’ Tommy asked.

She realised she had been lost in her own thoughts. ‘Sorry, yeah, I’m here. Ah, who next…? Chris Stapleton.’

‘That’s easy. “Millionaire”.’

‘I disagree. His best is “Broken Halo” but I’ll let you have it since I happen to have a soft spot for most Chris Stapleton music.’ She drained her drink as the song began to play into the apartment.

‘“Broken Halo”, huh? And I thought I had problems.’ He gave her a mocking look. ‘So, in the theme of being honest, are you going to tell me why you changed your mind to come here tonight?’

She pulled up her legs, needing the comfort of wrapping her arms around her knees in the absence of the dog on her feet. She shouldn’t say anything about Hunter. No one could find out. Wasn’t that the main reason she’d ended it? But if anyone would listen to her promiscuous indiscretions without judgement, it was the man sitting opposite her.

‘Honestly? Please don’t take this the wrong way because I’m having a nice time tonight.’

‘But?’

‘I got out of a relationship of sorts this week and I thought maybe spending time with someone else would take my mind off it.’

He seemed to nod as he looked at her, not giving much away. Had she offended him?From memory, Tommy didn’t offend easily.

‘I get that,’ he said eventually. ‘I didn’t realise you were with anyone.’

She took a breath for courage. ‘That was part of the problem. No one could know.’

‘Ah. Got ya. Who ended it?’

‘Me.’

‘How long?’

‘Six months-ish.’

‘Messy?’

‘Very. Like, work-colleague-meets-father-of-a-friend-bad.’

He whistled. ‘That’s covering a lot of bases.’

---