Page 79 of The Wedding Forecast

‘I’ll stay,’ I say.

He kisses my forehead before heading back to the kitchen to make the popcorn. I get into the T-shirt, trackpants and hoodie he gave me and text Hayley.

She writes back a string of questions so fast I can barely read one before the next one arrives. Did you kiss? Are you having sex? Is he good? What was it like? How do you feel? Tell me everything! Why haven’t you replied yet? Can I tell Luke? I already told Luke.

I will tell you everything in the morning, I write back.

I can’t sleep unless I know the key details, she replies.

We slept together, it was great, the rest tomorrow, I write.

!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my fucking GOD

I know

Anna, he’s HOT. When he was on stage tonight, his arms in that top

I knooooow

I turn my phone over, because she’s still writing and I am scared of what Mac will see pop onto the screen.

‘Would you like a tea?’ he asks. ‘I have looseleaf.’

‘You make looseleaf tea?’

‘In a teapot, yes.’ He smiles.

‘Why? I mean, I know it’s better, but still, why?’

‘That’s how my parents always made it. And I just like the process. I like the process of making things properly. And most people here will give you microwaved water with a sad little teabag in it—it’s not right. A kettle, a teapot, tea leaves. It alleviates some of my homesickness.’

‘You still get homesick?’

He gives me a funny look.

‘Of course.’

‘I will take a tea, thank you.’

He brings me tea and buttery toast and chocolate pretzels he swears are the best thing you can get at Trader Joe’s and a bowl of popcorn. A beautiful array of snacks on a tray in bed.

Joel absolutely forbade me from eating in bed.

‘I’ll take you to Trader Joe’s tomorrow and show you the best snacks to take back with you.’

‘Tomorrow?’ I dare not tell him about Hayley’s itinerary.

‘Oh. Only if you have time. When do you fly out?’

‘The day after.’

‘Right. Well. Let’s not talk about that.’

We eat and drink and laugh, and we have sex again, and it’s even better than before. And the chocolate pretzels are heaven.

And I try my very hardest not to get attached.

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