Goosebumps pop on my arms. It’s as if he touched me by touching the couch I slept on last night.
Our eyes meet and hold.
The air between us seems to turn almost liquid with longing. It’s so syrupy that it feels impossible to breathe through.
There’s a fluttering sensation in my chest. Between my legs. I feel like I’m going to combust with this need for him. No matter that my niece is in the room between us.
"Are you in love with my auntie?"
Freya’s words land like a bomb between us.
His gaze shoots to my face. He gives me a look that’s part incredulous, part amused. I’m sure, now is when he’s going to tell my niece that she’s too young to be asking these questions. Likely, he’ll tell her to butt out of his business. But he turns his full attention on her and places his fingertips together. His body language signals that he’s taking her question very seriously.
"Your auntie and I, we…uh, we care for each other," he murmurs.
He's not completely wrong. We both have Phe in common, and we don’t want to hurt her. I have cared for him since I first saw him, so…it’s not a complete lie. In fact, in a roundabout way, we want what’s best for each other. From certain angles, this could be true.
Freya tilts her head. Her back is to me, so I can’t see her face. Although I can imagine the keen sharpness in her eyes.
My sister appears at the entrance to her bedroom. She takes in the scene in front of her and turns to me, curiosity in her gaze.
I shake my head, indicating that she should stay where she is. She nods, training her gaze on her daughter.
"We are getting married because we have the same priorities," James replies carefully.
"Priorities," she repeats.
Freya’s a clever girl, who loves words. I can claim a small part in that.Since she was three, I’ve been teaching her a new word every day. She now has a vocabulary that’s better than most grown-ups I meet.
"We want the same thing."
"What’s that?" I hear the curiosity in her tone.
"For your auntie to achieve her dream of becoming a head chef. And for us both to do the work we love."
Which is true. And the way he’s phrased it is in words that a ten-year-old can understand.
"Okay." She nods. "So, it’s useful for both of you to get married."
"You could say that." He shifts around in his seat, trying to find a more comfortable position. I’ve never seen James this on edge. Not even with his team.
Definitely not when he’s showing investors around the kitchen either. I give him credit for not running away from the conversation and treating my niece like an adult. That’s also the reason why I decide it’s time to rescue him.
"He’s right." I step into the living room and walk over to join him on the couch, while making sure that the length of it is still between us.
"We’re getting married because we are better together than not." Which is not untrue. And it falls short of sounding too cold.
I don’t want this little girl to think that all marriages have such a logical basis.
Her forehead furrows. I know she’s thinking it through. Sure enough, she asks, "But my dad did not think it was better for him to be with my mum."
I dart my gaze to my sister who firms her lips.
"Your father was not ready to take on the role of being a parent. But I was. I’ll always be there for you, sweetie. Like I’m sure James will be there for your auntie.” She flashes James a look which implies, if he isn’t, she’s going to come after him.
Which is sweet of Briar.
As discussed with James, I told Briar a carefully edited, stripped-down version of the truth that was compliant with the non-disclosure clause in the agreement.
