‘What, text?’
‘Worry about people.’
‘I like to know the people I care about are safe.’
‘It’s more than that.’
I shift uncomfortably, the wet hem of my sarong dragging along the ground. ‘It’s funny that we were both so worried about getting wet even though we’re wearing swimming costumes that are, you know, designed to get wet.’
‘It’s not your responsibility to keep everyone safe.’
I’m frustrated that he didn’t take my hint to change the subject, so when I speak, I sound meaner than I feel. ‘I look after people. That’s what I’m good at. Why do you make it sound like a bad thing?’
‘Who looks after you, Nella?’
‘I don’t need looking after.’
He shakes his head. ‘You’re the one person on the planet that can get by completely by herself?’
‘I didn’t say that, but I’m a trained thera—’
He lets out a hollow laugh. ‘Donotsay your training stops you from falling into the same psychological traps as the rest of us.’
‘I fall into fewer.’
He looks at me incredulously. ‘That’s like saying doctors don’t get ill as often as other people because they know so much about disease. Jesus Christ, I thought you were smarter than that.’
I try to protest, but he holds up his hand. ‘You cannot diagnose yourself. That is the number one fucking rule for doctors like me and doctors like you.’
‘Fuck off, Mark.’
The venom in my voice startles us both.
He walks towards me. ‘You’re angry because you know I’m right.’
‘You couldn’t be more wrong.’
‘Tell me to fuck off again.’
He’s two steps from being right in my face, but I stand my ground.
‘Fuck off, Mark.’
‘No.’ His voice is low.
‘Fuck off,’ I say again, but this time my voice falters.
‘If you want me to leave, say it like you mean it.’
He leans forward until his lips brush my temple.
‘I think you want me right here.’
Seconds feel like hours as I hold my breath and, after what feels like an eternity, he presses a chaste kiss under my ear.
The contact makes me shiver, but I don’t step back.
‘You want me here,’ he says, kissing lower on my neck.
