Page 45 of Brighter Together

Across the table, Christina catches my eye.

She smiles.

I shake my head at her.

She only looks more smug.

By the time we leave, my cheeks hurt from laughing.

The pub has thinned out and the cold outside hits me the second we step through the door.

Tommy glances towards me.

“You cold?”

“A little.”

He immediately starts taking off his jacket.

“No, keep it on.”

He pauses.

“You just said you’re cold.”

“And you’re wearing a shirt.”

“I’ll survive.”

“So will I.”

He studies me for a second, then puts the jacket back on.

“Stubborn,” he shakes his head.

“Says you.”

His mouth twitches.

The drive to my flat takes less than ten minutes.

It somehow feels much shorter.

“So?” Tommy asks as he turns onto my road.

“So what?”

“Did you have fun?”

“So much fun,” I grin. “They’re all completely unhinged.”

“Yes we are,” he chuckles.

“And I now know far too much about all of you.”

Tommy glances over. “What did Christina tell you?”

“Everything.”