Page 29 of Grand Love

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Lucy greetsme at the door when I arrive at Nina’s apartment. I take in the décor, noticing more than the last time I was here. It’s minimalistic, the walls plain white and pictureless. Nina isn’t a materialistic person, but I would prefer to see the place slightly more homely for them. Apart from the photos in her bedroom, you wouldn’t know who lived here.

“Look who it is, Ell.” Lucy smiles, bouncing Ellis in her arms.

“Stop calling him that,” I tell her. “Uncle Elliot’s going to grow an even bigger head.”

“True.” She snorts.

“How’s he been? You could’ve called me. You didn’t need to take the day off.”

She gives me a look, as if what I’ve said is stupid. “I’m pretty sure it was more imperative that you were at work than me today. I make a pittance compared to you.”

“Ellis comes first, always.” I take him from her arms, kissing his full cheek. “How come Nina had to work?”

“Just picking up an extra shift. She’s saving for a breakaway with Ellis. She wants to show him the world. Doesn’t she, puds.”

Not without me, they’re not.

“When?”

She frowns, walking to the lounge to collect her things. “I don’t know.”

“She hasn’t said when she wants to go?”

“No! She’s a girl. We do this. We just need a goal to work towards sometimes.” She looks at me and her eyes soften. “Don’t stress about it. She would’ve told you first.”

I doubt that. Before Thursday, it had been radio silence for the past seven months.

“Has she seen Joey this week?” I ask shamelessly.

It still fucks with me that they grew so close.

“Do you actually want to know that? You know they’re friends, Mase.”

“Like you and Elliot are friends,” I challenge.

She rolls her eyes. “Exactly like me and Elliot. What’s with you people? You do realise Elliot and I have never so much as kissed.”

“What about his birthday last year?”

“We didn’t kiss.” She pops a brow.

I smile wide as she leans in and kisses Ellis’s head. “I need to get going, Nina will be home in about half an hour. You okay to wait? I think she wanted to see Ellis before you go.”

“Yeah, I can wait.”

“I’ll see you later.”

“Bye, Luce.”

My eyes scan the apartment once she’s gone. Toys clutter the lounge and pillows are strewn around the floor. “How did the two of you make so much mess?” I ask Ellis, tickling his ribs and making him giggle.

“Da Da Da.” He claps.

“Good boy.” I place him on the floor, put on the football, then pick up some of the mess in the lounge.

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