Page 84 of The Side Road
‘You’re so cute.’
Mia lay back on the bed, one arm draped over her head. ‘This is one of the nicest things I’ve ever done.’
‘Nicest!’
‘Wonderfully nice. If I have two orgasms every day, it will take me a year and a half to reach one thousand.’
He was tracing a finger around her nipple. When it peaked, he pressed down and watched it flex back into shape.
‘Are you listening to me?’
‘No, I’m playing with your nipple.’ He paused and looked at her. ‘A year and a half.’
Oliver rolled on top of her. He made a fist and knocked on her forehead.
‘You want to know what I’m thinking?’ she asked, running her fingers through his curls.
‘Yes. Let me inside. I’m neat and I don’t take up much room.’
‘You’re six foot four and have enormous feet, but if you must know, I’m thinking about getting a car.’
Oliver paused.
‘When I arrived in town, I drove Blanche’s Mazda. Then Leo let me use the bike. I also have a taxi on speed dial. Butbusiness is good. It might be time to buy a car. Leo said he’d help.’
Oliver shook his head. He pointed a finger at his chest.
‘Leo is not going to help. You’re going to help.’
He nodded, unable to wipe the smile off his face. ‘What’s your budget?’
‘I was thinking of something new – maybe electric. With a long warranty. Some manufacturers are offering ten years.’
Again, Oliver pointed a finger at his chest. ‘Mechanic. If the car needs a service, I’ll do the work. Also, you need to run an electric car for about seven or eight years to offset the embodied energy that goes into making the car.’
‘But petrol is bad for the environment.’
‘True. I’ll do some research. Is that okay?’
‘If you like.’
He smiled.
‘You’re like a kid in a sweet shop. Are you hungry? I made a pie for lunch.’
Oliver rose from the bed. He pulled on his boxer briefs and headed into the kitchen.
Mia found her cardigan and a pair of yoga pants. Heading out of the room, she noticed Oliver’s clothes on the floor. After picking up each item – jeans, T-shirt, chambray shirt – she folded it and left it on the chair.
In the kitchen,Snood was lying on the floor by the window. He turned his head and smiled at Oliver, eyes sparkling, and tongue hanging out the side of his mouth. Happy days.
When Mia arrived, Oliver handed her his knitting. Using a honeycomb pattern, he was making a scarf. ‘I’m almost done.’
‘Do you need a lesson in finishing techniques?’
‘What am I going to learn that I don’t already know?’
She showed him how to cast the stitches off the needle and make tassels for the ends.
