‘I postponed dinner.’
Lisa walked over to him. Reminding herself of Dom’s words, she took a breath. ‘I’m sorry. I just missed your message until it was too late. You can have yours today, and we can heat mine up tomorrow.’ She lookedat the vegetables in the steamer on the hob. ‘You’ve cooked loads; there’ll probably be enough for us both tomorrow. It will easily serve three.’ As the words slipped out, she hoped she hadn’t given him an idea that involved inviting Sam to stay for food.
‘I suppose.’
‘And I’m certainly up for dessert.’ Lisa smiled, pressing herself against him.
‘Oh, you are, are you?’ Nathan feigneddisinterest. ‘Well, I’m not sure I fancy dessert now.’
Lisa grinned, recognising his playful tone. ‘Oh really? Only I thought as you’d gone to so much trouble, I’d sort something special.’
Nathan looked at her, a sparkle in his eyes. ‘How special?’
‘Hmm, I don’t know?’ Lisa stroked her hand down his chest while she began kissing his neck, working her way up to his ear before whispering,‘Special enough.’ She slipped her hand under his T-shirt, feeling his muscles flex at her touch.
‘Ah hum.’
Lisa turned, her cheeks reddening as she registered Sam in the doorway.
Nathan coughed and pushed away from the side before turning off the heat on the hob. ‘All done?’
‘Yes, thanks. I—’
‘I’ll see you out, then,’ Lisa interrupted. She turned to smile at Nathan, who gaveher a knowing grin before she escorted Sam to the door. Determined not to feel intimidated by the woman before her who, even now fully dressed in jeans and a jumper, still looked stunning, Lisa attempted to maintain a smile. ‘How long are you here for?’
‘I’m not sure; it depends how things work out.’
Things?Lisa decided not to ask what things she was referring to for fear of the answer.
‘It’ll be good for Alex and me to be settled for a bit.’
‘And Alex is your—’
‘Oh, Uno!’
Nathan’s tabby cat thudded down from his favourite position on the window seat and ran towards Sam, purring.
‘I’ve missed you too.’ She crouched to greet him.
Lisa felt a stab of jealousy, only for it to be replaced with elation as Uno ran past Sam, straight towards her, his purrs increasingand his tail flicking as he rubbed himself against her legs. Trying not to cheer out loud, and to curtail the grin that wanted to spread across her face, Lisa scooped Uno into her arms, grateful for his solidarity. ‘Hello, you.’ She rubbed behind his ears before looking at Sam, a smile tugging at her lips.
Walking towards the door, Sam paused to give Uno a stroke and met Lisa’s gaze. ‘He’smy son.’
Discombobulated, Lisa frowned; surely she didn’t mean the cat?
‘Alex. He’s my son. I’m surprised Nate didn’t mention—’
Nate, again.‘No, he—’
‘Especially as he delivered him.’
