‘What did you do?’
‘Stubbed my little toe.’
‘You should have put the light on.’
‘I thought you were asleep.’
‘It’s your house.’
‘You’re my guest.’
‘Put the light on now.’
‘It’s all right, I can sort of… Oh! For fuu-argh…’ Seriously? Again?
‘Lottie. Put the damn light on.’
‘Are you decent?’
His laugh was low and way too sexy for this time in the morning. ‘As near as I get to that, yes.’
I flicked the light on, immediately hitting the dimmer switch so that it was just enough to move without any more injuries but not too much of a shock to either of our systems.
I grabbed a glass of water and poured another for my guest. Making my way over, I saw Seb, sprawled on the sofa, one leg hanging over the end. Sprawled in turn, on top of his master, was Scooby, who apparently hadn’t woken at all. To the right of them, resting within easy reach, was Seb’s artificial limb.
I set the glass down just in front of him on the coffee table. When I looked up, even in the low light, I could see him looking at me. He’d seen my gaze take in the leg and my memory flashed back to what he’d said a while ago about an ex getting a bit freaked by it all. His face was blank as he met my eyes.
‘What?’ I asked.
He rolled his head from side to side. ‘Nothing.’
I looked back at the leg. ‘Did you want me to say something?’
‘Nope.’
‘So why are you looking at me with that non-expression?’
He let out a chuckle. ‘What’s a non-expression?’
‘I don’t know, but you have one and you do it whenever you don’t want people to know what you’re thinking.’
‘Is that so?’
‘Yep. And honestly, it’s kind of annoying. It might be easier just to tell people things sometimes.’ Apparently, that sobering plunge pool in my brain hadn’t quite done its full job yet. My mouth was still a little unfiltered thanks to the alcohol.
‘Probably.’
‘It doesn’t bother me, if that’s what you’re worried about,’ I said, nodding towards his leg.
‘I’ve heard that one before.’ His voice, like his face, held little expression at this statement.
I shrugged. ‘Yes. But this is me. And, as we’ve already established and as you never hesitate to point out, I’m a terrible liar. Especially when I’ve been drinking.’
‘That is true.’
‘Honestly, Seb. I really don’t care. I know tonight probably didn’t help, what with Turnip Tarquin and his comments, but…’ I shrugged. ‘I just don’t think it’s a big deal. You’re an amazing bloke and I l—’ I stopped and cleared my throat. ‘Like you just as you are. All the stuff you’ve been through is what makes you you. Who knows? Maybe you were a real arse before and this has changed you for the better? Either way, just relax the hell out about it, will you, and stop trying to protect me from everything.’
He didn’t say anything for a few moments and I took a sip from my glass. I wasn’t sure where all that just came from. Mostly a champagne bottle, if I was to take a guess, but I suddenly wasn’t sure if it had been wise.
