Nathan laughed. ‘Is it wrong to say both?’
‘I knew it!’ Lisa giggled and started running up the stairs, regretting the sudden effort almost instantly.
Nathan grabbed at her, and she squealed, dismissing the ache in her legs as she ran faster until she reached the flat door. It was ajar, so she ran straight in, laughing, but as her eyes metthe sight before her, she stopped. ‘That’s not—’
Nathan burst through the door behind her. Halting and letting out a breath as he took in the scene.
‘—what you expect to see when you enter your boyfriend’s flat,’ finished the woman, who was wearing an all-over tan and a too-small towel. She padded across the floor towards them with her hand out.
Lisa realised she should probably closeher mouth, say something, ask the many questions flitting through her head, but all she could do was stare, eyes wide, between Nathan and the woman before her. Her heart was thudding, causing blood to rush in her ears, and she was pretty sure it wasn’t due to the run up the stairs.
‘I’m Sam,’ the woman said, her smile revealing straight white teeth. Her chestnut-brown hair was pulled intoa messy bun, and her bare shoulders glistened, still wet from the shower.
‘Bloody hell, Sam, when I said have a shower, I didn’t expect …’ Nathan pushed his hand through his hair, before continuing, ‘Lisa, this is Sam.’
‘I’ve said that.’ The woman laughed, dismissing the disapproving tone in Nathan’s voice as she shook Lisa’s hand.
Lisa looked at Nathan, removing herself from Sam’smanicured grasp.
The woman grinned. ‘I’m a close friend of Nate’s.’
‘Staying in the flat downstairs.’ Nathan added, or corrected – Lisa wasn’t sure which it was. ‘Her boiler wasn’t working. So I said she could use the shower up here. I didn’t think …’ His words trailed off.
Sam lifted her shoulders into a shrug as she smiled innocently. The action caused the towel to strain at herbust and rise further up her thighs.
Lisa bit her lip, unsure what would come out of her mouth if she spoke.
‘Anyway, you’re done now, right? So you should get some clothes on. The boiler’s fixed, and Lisa and I have plans.’
Ha, well and truly dismissed. Lisa congratulated herself on resisting the urge to high-five Nathan with gratitude.
‘Message received loud and clear.’ Sam spunon the balls of her feet and headed off to the bathroom.
Lisa looked at Nathan, eyebrows raised. ‘Well, she’s—’
‘A bit much, right? I’m sorry. I just felt bad about the boiler.’
Lisa smiled, determined to sustain her calm façade – maybe Dom’s superpower had its merits after all. She followed Nathan to the kitchen. She could see a chicken and potatoes in the oven and registered thesmell of the roast dinner for the first time. Even the thought of attempting to eat it made her feel sick, or perhaps it was the after-effect of discovering the naked woman in her boyfriend’s flat. Lisa took a breath, but then realised she could perhaps use the latter to her advantage. ‘OK … so as I’m being so very forgiving about the naked woman in your flat—’
‘Woah, she—’ Nathan interrupted.
But Lisa continued, ‘You’re going to have to forgive me, too.’
Nathan paused, tea towel in hand, crouched at the oven, as he looked at Lisa. ‘I am? Why?’
‘I’ve already eaten.’
Nathan opened the oven. The fat sizzled around the crispy potatoes, and a plume of smoke rolled to the ceiling, adding more heat to the temperature of the small kitchen. ‘Really?’
‘Yes … with Dom.’
‘You ate with Dom?’ Nathan raised his eyebrows.
‘Yes, with Dom and Jack. We went to the pub and had roast. I’m sorry.’ Lisa knew Nathan wasn’t the jealous type, but her stomach couldn’t help but twist. Ben would have been furious. Not that she would have been in the situation; having friends, going out for dinner with anybody other than Ben – they were things that didn’t happen when she livedin London.
Nathan shut the oven door and leaned back against the sink with his arms folded, clearly a bit put out.
‘You cancelled lunch,’ Lisa offered.
