‘My gift is more of a verbal one.’
Cam walked to the sink and reached for the toothpaste. ‘Would it be okay if we shared this?’ His voice dripped with sarcasm, and it even looked like he was trying to make some kind of a sad puppy-dog face.
I wasn’t going to make it easy for him and certainly didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of giving in too easily. ‘Fine. Don’t use too much.’
‘Never,’ he said as I walked off towards the bed. ‘No skincare routine?’ he called after me.
‘Do you have a skincare routine?’ I asked.
‘As a matter of fact, I do.’
I folded my arms, an invitation for him to tell me what it was, to which he would receive a very unenthusiastic response.
‘My ex-girlfriend got me into it. I cleanse, sometimes exfoliate, and use a night cream with retinol.’
‘Retinol?’
‘It’s great for fine lines and pigmentation.’ He shot me a smile as he squeezed toothpaste onto his finger.
‘Well, I’m afraid you won’t find any retinol here. The most I can offer you is suncream.’
‘You don’t need it, though; you haven’t aged at all.’
‘You can stop with the compliments, they’re not winning me over.’
‘Really?’
‘Nope.’
‘So if I told you that you’re still my hottest ex, that would do nothing for you?’
‘I’m not your ex, Cam. We were never together.’
‘That’s not true, technically we were together for about . . .’ he made a show of counting on his fingers, ‘six hours.’
‘Six hours isnota relationship, thus I am not your ex.’
‘You’re my ex, Lizzy. Whether you want to admit it or not.’
‘I think we should stop talking about this.’
‘We’ve never talked about it, though.’ He started walking towards me. ‘And maybe we need to.’
‘What Ineedis sleep.’ I turned and stared down at the bed, uncomfortably aware that Cam was now standing next to me and studying it too.
‘Well,’ I said finally, breaking the silence. ‘I don’t think we’re going to get in by just looking at it.’
‘You sure? I was about to beam into it like they do inStar Trek.’
I shot him a sideways glance. ‘Do not bring my favouriteTVprogramme into this. LeaveStar Trekalone. And leave that night alone too,’ I added, knowing full well he’d referencedStar Trekon purpose. I needed to put an end to this ridiculous situation, so I walked over to my side and climbed in. It felt awkward, like I was starring in a play. I was centre-stage and the audience of one was watching me intently.
‘Are you going to sleep in your clothes?’ The audience finally spoke.
‘Well, I’m not taking them off.’ I flashed him a warning look.
‘I wasn’t implying that you should sleep naked or anything, but you’re welcome to change. I think I’m more than capable ofnotlooking at you.’
I adjusted myself on the bed, making a little nest with the pillows, like I always did. ‘I’m fine, thanks.’
