Page 37 of Wish You Knew
“I am not flashing your aunt again! And God only knows when your cousin will appear.”
“Good point. I don’t want Bas anywhere near you.”
His throwaway comment made my insides contract. I didn’t want any other man near me either.
While he went to get some clothes, I cobbled together a breakfast of avocado, eggs, salmon and toast with lashings of coffee. The caffeine would at least help me to stay awake.
“I didn’t realise Vivian and Bas would be coming,” Scott said, shoving a fork heaped with eggs into his mouth.
“She obviously didn’t realise you’d be here either.”
“We don’t exactly have a family booking system in operation. Usually it’s a quick message to the group to see what people’s plans are.”
“And I guess you didn’t fill them in on yours?”
He chewed on the crust of his slice of toast, wrinkling his nose. “Can’t remember. Might have mentioned something about me being here.”
“But not that you’d have a guest?” I pressed, wondering if he’d had this planned all along and his invite hadn’t come out of nowhere.
He threw his head back, eyes fixed on the ceiling in frustration. “Doubt it. I don’t make a habit of bringing anyone here.”
Despite his tone, the words at least made me feel special. If I was the first person he’d brought here, it had to mean something. Didn’t it?
Scott pushed his plate away, then stood up. “I’m going to get a shower.”
“Shall I join you?” I lowered my gaze and looked up at him through hooded eyes.
“Not with Viv and Bas around. Another time.”
He shut me down. Contrary fucker.
After he’d left the room, I cleared the table, put the plates in the dishwasher, and poured myself another coffee. I stood at the sink, looking out over the back garden. Vivian tended to some bushes with flowers on. There was no point in my trying to identify them, my green fingers were black.
“She likes gardening. Especially here. Her London place only has a balcony.” A male voice said from behind me.
I turned, seeing a tall, dark haired man, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. He had similar sharp features to Vivian, albeit darker, and a gym-honed body. I assumed this was Scott’s cousin.
“Sebastian?”
The corner of his mouth curled up and he approached me, holding out his hand. “Bas, please.”
His handshake was firm, his fingers curling around mine.
“Rosie.”
“Oh, I know who you are. Such a shame my cousin got his sticky paws on you before I had the chance to meet you properly.” He released me and stepped back, appraising me.
Suddenly self-conscious, I was still only wearing Scott’s t-shirt and a tiny pair of knickers, I backed away, my arse bumping into the edge of the cupboard. “Are you staying here for long?” I asked, desperate to change the subject and bring it back to safer ground.
“Couple of days, probably. Mum said Scott was going to be here. I haven’t seen him for a while, so thought it would be good to catch up. Didn’t know he’d already have company though.” Bas winked at me.
A hot flush crept over my whole body. If circumstances had been different, I’d have played up to Bas’s flirting. But I wanted to find out could be anything more between Scott and me. Last night, he’d alluded to it, but his behaviour this morning indicated otherwise.
Now that we had guests, I guess I might find out.
19
Scott
