Page 42 of Brighter Together

“What lip?” Charlotte asks.

Chris demonstrates the most exaggerated sad face I’ve ever seen.

The whole table erupts again.

“Oh my God,” I say through my laughter.

Suzie nods. “Oh you weak, adorable man.”

Tommy is laughing beside me.

Properly laughing.

Not the brief smile I’ve seen him give guests or the occasional amused huff when someone in the department heads meeting takes the piss. This is different. Unrestrained. His head tips back, and for a moment all that usual seriousness disappears from his face.

I stare.

I don’t mean to. I just haven’t seen him like this before.

Then he looks at me.

And catches me doing it.

For a second, neither of us looks away.

His smile changes. It doesn’t disappear, exactly. It just softens at the edges, becoming something quieter. Something that suddenly feels as though it’s meant only for me.

My stomach flips.

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

I drag my attention back to the conversation, only to find Christina watching me from across the table.

She gives me the tiniest nod as to say Told you so.

I reach for my glass and take a sip, pretending I haven’t seen her.

It would be considerably more convincing if my heart wasn’t hammering against my ribs.

The evening rolls on around me.

Stories.

Arguments about whether Snail Bail needs a bigger tank.

A heated debate about whose turn it is to organise the Christmas get-together.

At some point Tommy rests his arm along the back of my chair.

Not around me.

Not quite.

His fingers barely touch my shoulder.

But his arm stays there.

Every time I move, I become aware of it again.