Page 120 of The Rebound

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“I’m sure.”

“Then let’s watch a movie.”

He grins and I step back, suddenly a little shy.

“I better tell Rory,” I say. “I was supposed to go to the pub with him. I’ll meet you at the apartment?”

“Okay.”

“And stop looking so smug.”

“Never,” he quips, and lopes off toward the café.

I find Rory with Sinead, standing where the tree is to be planted.

“Isn’t nature amazing?” Sinead asks when I join them. “This is so exciting. I love the solstice.”

“She’s drunk,” Rory says, patting her on the shoulder.

I give her a sympathetic smile. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to pass on tonight. Luke and I are going to hang out.”

His brows rise. “Hang out?”

“We’re going to watch a movie.”

“Aha!” Sinead beams at me before turning to her husband. “I win! Gimme.”

“We had a bet on whether you two were secretly hooking up,” Rory explains, pulling his wallet from his pocket. “I didn’t think he had the guts.”

“AndIam very good at this game,” Sinead says triumphantly.

“Ten euro,” Rory says, handing her a crumpled note. “From ourjoint account.”

“The important thing is that you lost.”

“It’s just a movie,” I protest.

Rory huffs. “Sure. And will your clothes be on or off while you watch it?”

My mouth drops open. “That’s not… we’re just… I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

Sinead takes another sip of mead. “When we first started dating, I went to Rory’s place thinking we were going to have sex and instead we watchedSchindler’s List.”

“I’d never seen it!” he exclaims.

“I’m going now,” I say. “Enjoy the tree.”

“I better not have lost ten quid for nothing,” he calls, and I raise a finger to him as I head back into the crowd.

26

I am going to have sex with Luke Bailey.

I decide this as I leave Rory and Sinead and the solstice behind me. I decide it as I turn down the empty street and head to the café, where Luke waits outside, lounging against the window. I wish I’d decided earlier. I wish I’d washed my hair and worn nicer underwear and brought a condom.

I wish I’d had a sip of that mead.

“Did you find Rory?” he asks, straightening when he sees me.

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