Page 36 of Night and Day
“Sweet,” he murmured, moving so close his beard rubbed against her hair. “I’ll just act like I would, if you were mine.”
He rested his hand on her waist and they stepped in, finding Deke in the kitchen, placing sunflower seeds along the dining table for Casanova, who followed the food trail with great enthusiasm. Deke looked up, his eyebrows raising suggestively. “What took you guys so long?”
“Hot damn!” croaked Casanova.
Mia smiled, her waist burning from Izzy’s touch. “You know how I said I have a boyfriend? It’s... um, Izzy. We thought we should tell you the truth.”
Deke laughed, allowing the parrot to climb onto his shoulder. “I knew it! Please don’t hide in the car because of me. I don’t mind PDA.”
“Good to know.” Izzy slid his hand further around her waist and tugged her closer.
Her face made contact with his solid chest, and she did her best to pretend the combination of solid muscle and musky, soapy man scent didn’t fire up her entire nervous system.
“How’s Casanova?” she asked, turning her attention to the bird, the only safe subject around.
“Fall out of heaven? Angel! Angel!” the bird crooned, navigating along Deke’s arm, back onto the table.
“He’s great. I think he missed you.” Deke offered Mia the bag of seeds.
She detached herself from Izzy’s side and took over feeding the parrot.
Deke grabbed a wet wipe, glancing at Izzy. “Don’t worry. I’ll clean after him.”
“It’s fine. Coffee, anyone?” Izzy lunged to the espresso machine and started working on drinks. Casanova perked up, thrilled by the attention. “Beautiful girl! Hey there gorgeous!”
Mia took a seat at the table, fascinated by the creature. Now and then, the bird paused and cocked his head, as if to study her, looking like he knew exactly what was going on. Maybe he did. Mia dropped the seeds on the table, one by one, forming a shape of a heart Casanova ate his way through.
“What was that?” she asked when she couldn’t make sense of something the bird said.
“You had me at hello,” Deke interpreted. “He also knows ‘Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?’ but I can never make him say it at the right time. Like now, when I’m with a beautiful girl.”
Izzy approached the table with the coffees. He cast Deke a warning look, taking a seat next to Mia. He sat so close that their shoulders made contact and an involuntary quiver swept across Mia’s body. She could sense his self-assurance, which she’d obviously fuelled earlier. Why had she told him how flustered she felt? Now that he knew, he’d take every opportunity to push her off kilter. She wouldn’t survive this.
“How long have you guys lived together?” she asked.
“Almost four years.” Deke lifted four fingers. “I moved in with Izzy after—”
“Film school,” Izzy interrupted, shooting him a guarded look. “It was a few months after film school. We both needed to save some money and this place was a steal. For a good reason. The rent’s gone up since then but it’s still okay. Obviously, Deke could afford something far better than this...”
“But I like the company,” Deke finished. “Do you live alone or with someone?”
“Alone. I gave up my apartment in Helsinki before I left Finland and took my things to my sister’s place. She has an extra bedroom and I’d love to live with her, but she’s pregnant and I think they’ll need the extra space when the baby comes, so I’ll have to find another flat.”
“In Helsinki?” Deke stared at her in confusion and she realised her mistake.
“No, I mean... I’m not sure where I’m going to live. Izzy being here... I’m still figuring it all out.”
“You’re welcome to stay here,” Deke offered. “I wouldn’t mind.”
“Me neither,” Izzy lowered his voice, shamelessly breathing those words into her ear again.
“That’s great.” Mia swallowed. The man was playing a dirty game. “I’ll get a shipping container for my stuff, then.”
“Perfect!” Izzy’s voice vibrated through her, reaching receptors she didn’t know she had. Is this what he’d say if they were really dating?
“Hot damn! Hot damn!” Casanova echoed.
“I’m so happy for you!” Deke beamed, taking a big sip of his coffee. “You look cute together. Like a play on opposites. Large and small. Dark and light. Who do you think is my other half?”
