He glances at me. ‘You sure?’
I hesitate as we pull up outside the house. The bedroom lights are still on. The boys are probably glued to their iPads again. I sigh.
‘I don’t know. I just have this stupid nagging feeling that my going out tonight somehow ruined Geoff’s plans… with someone else.’
Dario turns toward me, eyes narrowing. ‘You mean, like another woman?’
Hearing it aloud makes me feel even more ridiculous. ‘It’s silly. He’s just been… distracted lately. Staying at the pub longer. Says it’s darts, but he’s never been into darts.’ I shake my head, trying to dismiss it. ‘Ignore me. It’s probably just too much wine talking.’
‘You know you can always talk to me if you need to,’ Dario says softly.
I smile, genuinely touched. But there’s more. Gil’s been playing on my mind, too. She left the party in such a rush, barely explaining anything. She hasn’t messaged me since.
‘I’d better get the boys to bed. Thanks for the lift, Dario.’
‘My pleasure.’
As I lean over to kiss him on the cheek, he does the same, and somehow, our lips meet. It’s just a brush, but enough to send a jolt of electricity through me.
‘Sorry,’ Dario says quickly, pulling back awkwardly.
‘Quite a close call,’ I say teasingly, grateful it’s dark and he can’t see my flushed cheeks.
I step out of the car, enter the house and close the front door, taking a deep breath to steady myself before heading into the lounge.
Geoff is sprawled on the sofa, watching a film.
‘The kids asleep?’ I ask.
‘I think so.’
I bite back my frustration. ‘You didn’t check? They’ve got school tomorrow.’
I head upstairs. Before I reach their room, I can hear the faint sounds from their iPads. I swipe the devices from their hands and switch off the light.
‘Bed. Now.’
Shutting the door, I move to the master bedroom, shrug off my coat, dig my phone out of my bag and call Gil.
She answers immediately. ‘Hey, Josie.’
‘Is everything okay? What was Mr Romeo like?’
There’s a pause. I hear muffled voices and a door being closed. Then she’s back.
‘How was the party?’ she asks, her tone distant.
‘You know, retirement speeches, the usual. But what about your date? I was getting worried.’
‘Date?’ she repeats, as though confused.
‘The hot Tinder date,’ I remind her.
Her voice shifts quickly. ‘Oh, right. Sorry, I should have called. Total disaster. Didn’t stay long.’
Something about her reply feels rehearsed. ‘As long as you’re safe,’ I say, though I’m not convinced. I hear Geoff climbing the stairs.
‘Thanks for inviting me tonight,’ she says.
