Page 55 of Built to Last
“Why don’t you and Rose go pick out a film?” Phillip suggests, clearing the plates from the dining table.
“I can help with this.” I stand, gathering the near-empty salad bowl and tongs.
“You don’t have to do that, you’re a guest.”
“You cooked, it’s only fair I help clean up. Toby can pick a film without me right?”
The boy in question watches our back-and-forth bouncing in his chair, eager to go and choose something to watch.
“Sure, off you go, bud.”
“Yes!” Toby races off to the living area.
“No running!” Phillip calls out in the exasperated, yet loving, tone only someone who spends a lot of time with kids develops.
I carry the salad stuff over to the kitchen counter, Phillip following closely behind me.
“My mother would have kittens if she knew I was letting you help clean up.”
“Oh God, does your mum hate me now?” I grimace, cringing over how I well and truly ruined my first impression on Phillip’s family. At least Toby isn’t holding it against me but I doubt the adults will be so easily won over.
“Not at all. Mumlovesyou. In fact, she gave me a right talking-to after you left and told me I had better make things right with you.”
“She did?” I ask, incredulous.
“She did. She knows you’re the best thing to ever happen to me—so do I.”Well then.Clearing my throat, unsure of what to say to that when we still have an audience of one in the form of an impressionable young boy, I turn back to the task at hand.
Phillip clears the plates and packs away leftovers while I fill the sink, ready to start washing up. As I place the first dish on the drying rack, he sidles up next to me, a tea towel slung over his shoulder. It shouldn’t be hot, but I find watching this man move around, so in control of his space, beyond attractive. Who knew I had a competency kink? Or maybe it’s his confession that’s leaving me all flustered. Either way, as wholesome as this evening has been, I’m impatient for Phillip and me to get some alone time.
We work side-by-side in silence, brushing against each other enough for me to know Phillip is edging closer and edgingmeon purpose.
“Behave.” I flick a few soapy bubbles his way in reprimand when his arm brushes mine yet again. Brows raised, he plays innocent.
“What?”
“You know what.” I scrub the next dish with a little more force than necessary, irritated that he seems completely unaffected when my self-control is hanging on by a thread. Heleans closer, lips brushing against the shell of my ear and I shiver.
“Thank you for staying.”
“Thanks for having me,” comes my strangled reply.Thank you for having me?I cringe. This isn’t a bloody dinner party. It’s a sort-of date-slash-reconciliation chaperoned by a nosy six-year-old. Warm breath teases my skin as he softly chuckles against me.
“So polite,” he murmurs before pressing a barely-there kiss to my temple. My heart stutters but Phillip simply straightens up and grabs another plate to dry as if he hasn’t just made me melt quicker than an ice-cream left out in the sun. I have no idea what time Toby usually goes to bed but I hope the kid has picked a short film. If I have to endure much more of Phillip’s teasing, I’ll combust.
We make our way through to the living room, Phillip carrying a tray full of drinks and muffins for each of us. Toby waits, sitting in the middle of the sofa, withThe Little Mermaidselected on the TV.
“Again?” Phillip asks incredulously.
“Rose might not have seen it. Have you Rose?” Toby twists to look at me with wide eyes.
“I have, but it’s been a while. It’ll be fun to watch it again.”
Phillip winces almost imperceptibly.
“Uncle Phillip knowsallthe words,” Toby tells me, his little chest puffed up with pride. Ah, so he’s roped Phillip into watching what must be his favourite film more than a few times. Coughing to cover my chuckle, I take a seat. The flat look Phillip shoots my way tells me I’ll pay for that later. We settle in, passing blankets and muffins between us, then Toby eagerly presses play.
A few minutes in, I feel Toby staring at me intently and turn to face him letting him know he’s been caught.
“Yes?” I ask, brow raised.
