Page 69 of Coming Home to Wishington Bay
‘No, it’s not,’ he said, laughing. ‘It’s nice.’
‘You must have been so bored. You could have said, you know.’
‘No, not at all. I loved it all. All the stories. It made me feel like part of a family when my own was thousands of miles away.’
I lowered my hand. ‘As embarrassing as it all still seems, if it made you feel less lonely, then I guess I can sacrifice my dignity about you hearing stories of me running around the beach in my pants.’
‘In your pants? I can categorically say there’s evidence to the contrary of your fashion choices in beachwear. Or should I say lack of beachwear.’
‘Stop it!’ I pushed him, both of us laughing now. ‘Oh God, that’s so embarrassing. I’m going to go and put these chocolates in the fridge and the flowers in water and I may dunk my own head while I’m in there.’
‘I’ll help you?’
‘Dunk my head?’
‘Whatever I can be useful with.’
‘Thanks. I think.’
Chapter 13
‘So, where are your parents today?’ I asked as I put the last flower in the vase then began turning it towards me surveying the display.
‘They’ve got some friends a couple of hours away so they’re staying with them for a few days.’
‘Oh, that’s nice.’
‘Yeah.’
‘Have you thought any more about the fact they’re staying the whole summer yet?’
‘Yes and no.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘Yes, I’ve thought about it, and no, I have no idea what to do.’
‘This is why lying is bad. It always comes back and bites you on the arse.’
‘I know.’ His elbow was resting on the table and he lifted his hand to rest his chin on it as he took one of the chocolates from the box I’d yet to put in the fridge.
‘Oi!’
‘Oops,’ he said, through a mouthful of chocolate. ‘Sorry. I forgot. Quality control check?’
‘And did they pass?’
‘Ummhm.’ He grinned, washing the sweet down with a glass of cordial I’d poured when we’d come inside.
‘That’s good to hear. Honestly, some fake boyfriend you are. Although, even as a fake, you’re better than my last real one so I guess I should be thankful.’
‘Was this Paul?’
I dropped my chin to my chest. ‘Oh crap, she really did tell you everything, didn’t she?’
Gabe shrugged. ‘Although I’m glad to hear I win against him, fake or not.’
‘I guess you think I’m a bit naive getting strung along like that for so long?’ I said, joining him at the table and taking one of the chocolates before offering him the box.
