Page 64 of To All the Men I’ve Killed Before

They can’t resist.

Even the ‘feminist’ ones.

I peer into the basket Cort is carrying but it’s completely empty.

‘Oh,’ he says, looking at the nothing he is carrying too. ‘I’m just running a few errands for Lauren. There’s some stuff over at the guesthouse that she needs fixing. Think it’s a leaky pipe. Agnes’s parents don’t tend to extend their hosting responsibilities to the girls so I end up doing a lot of their DIY for them.’ He points at the wall of duct tape we’re standing in front of.

‘That seems unfair,’ I say but Cort just shrugs.

‘I mean, I don’t believe in gender roles, but if it makes Lauren feel supported then I’m more than happy to pick up a drill. Or a roll of Gorilla Grip.’

I meant it didn’t seem fair that Agnes’s parents only fix up problems in the main house but I don’t correct him. I actually want to get out of this conversation – and store – as quickly as possible now.

‘That’s great,’ I say.

I try to step away from him to get to the till, but Cort steps the same way. Then I step the other way and he does too. And now we’re doing some weird no-contact waltz in the duct tape aisle.

‘You know,’ he says, not reading the social cues and trying to carry on the conversation. ‘Lauren’s always saying that we should do more cultural stuff. Maybe we should all go to an exhibition together sometime?’

‘Sure,’ I say noncommittally. How did I get from staying at the most discreet hotel in Hollywood to ending up somewhere where my roommate’s boyfriend is trying to bond with me?

This was very much not the plan.

His gaze lands on my basket again and sweat is starting to prickle my underarms. I need to get out of here. ‘It’s cool you make things,’ he says, putting his hands over his heart. ‘I think it’s so important to have a creative outlet for our emotions. I find working with my hands very grounding.’

‘Yes,’ I say in agreement.

It will be very grounding, what I’m planning to do to Aidan Ward with my hands later.

I really do enjoy my creative emotional outlet.

‘I actually make my own jewellery sometimes,’ he says. Of course he does. ‘I find the use of crystals and the physicality of threading beads very meditative.’

I take a pointed look at his empty basket. ‘I suppose you should be getting on then.’

‘Yes,’ he says, casting a glance at the different brands of tape. ‘I suppose I should.’ He looks around. ‘Actually, I think I might leave it for now,’ he says and puts his basket down on the floor. ‘I’ve just remembered that I need to plan a sound bath immersion experience for later tonight.’ He does that funny little pray-bow thing and gives me a smile. ‘Good to see you,’ he says. ‘I’ll catch you later.’

And then he disappears down the aisle and out of the store.

Well.

That was bizarre.

I stare after him but then I hear someone clear their throat behind me.

‘Help you with anything?’

I turn around and it’s a store assistant with a badge saying ‘happy to help’ pinned to his chest. And he actually does look happy to help, not like he’d rather be vaping and texting round the back of the shop like retail staff in the UK.

‘No thanks,’ I say. ‘I’m good.’

‘Cool,’ he says. ‘We’ve got heavy-duty tarps on sale if you want them. Buy one get one free?’

That sounds like a good idea.

I let him lead me to the tarps and pick up two.

Because you just never know.