Page 144 of For Love or Money

‘I wouldn’t have had to stake you out if you hadn’t lied to me. Why should I believe you anyway? Why would you let your ex stay with you if you’re not—’

‘Because we’re still friends. But that’s all.’

‘Oh yeah, I know what your lot are like, all taking turns to have a go on each other and then going back to being chums.’

‘That’s ridiculous! Besides, Cassie is with someone else now.’

‘Oh, who? And don’t say Jean-Claude, because I know no one ends up with Jean-Claude.’

‘Okay, that’s enough,’ Helen snapped. ‘Outside, the pair of you.’

Lesley hadn’t even realised they’d raised their voices again. They both stood, mumbling shamefaced apologies to Helen and the rest of the guests.

‘Go out and think about what you’ve done, and don’t come back until you can be civil to each other,’ Helen said as they shuffled out of the room. But Lesley glanced back in the doorway and saw that she was smiling slyly to herself. She gave Lesley an almost imperceptible wink.

‘Well,I guess we’re in the doghouse,’ Al said when they were cooling their heels in the hall.

‘Did you really nobble one of the guests so that you could come here and see me?’ Lesley asked.

‘Yep. I really did. Can’t say I regret it either, I’m afraid.’

Lesley smiled, hope blooming in her chest. Because when she cooled off and thought about it rationally, why would he be here chasing her if he was with Cassie? ‘Sorry I snooped around your house,’ she said.

‘It’s okay.’ He shrugged.

‘You don’t mind?’

‘You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t carry out due diligence on me. And it’s you that I love.’

‘Really? You do?’

‘To distraction.’

‘But what about Cassie?’

‘What about her? I told you, we’re not together anymore.’

‘But you want to be. I know you still love her. I heard you telling her at that party in Nice.’

‘As afriend.’

‘But you were delighted when I said I thought she wanted you back. You should have seen your face. It was like I’d just told you you’d won the lottery. Your whole mood changed like that.’ She snapped her fingers.

‘Ah, I admit that’s true.’ Al smiled. ‘I was happy because you noticed and seemed quite put out about it. It gave me hope that you might be jealous.’

‘Oh.’ Now Lesley was smiling.

‘I want to be your boyfriend again but for real this time. I want to kiss you with tongue, and touch you under your clothes. Lots of nudity, and everything below the waist is in play. And I want boob action – all the boob action I can get. What do you say?’

‘Deal,’ Lesley said, moving closer.

‘And I’ll invite you into my kitchen, of course,’ Al said. ‘We can go there right now, if you like?’

‘I appreciate the offer, and I definitely want to see your kitchen again. But my place is nearer,’ she said, slipping her hand into his.