Page 5 of How To Not Need You

"I've learned there's not much point arguing once she's made up her mind."

"Girl after my own heart," Luca calls from behind the coffee machine. Nobody acknowledges him. Jake looks back at me before clearing his throat.

"I hope she's not interrupting."

"Not at all."

Tilly beams like she's personally responsible for world peace. "I like your earrings."

I instinctively touch one of the silver hoops. "You told me that on Saturday too, I think you like jewellery."

"I do." She says it with complete confidence, and no concern for what anyone thinks. "These ones are pretty too, but I like the knife earrings better."

I can't help smiling. "Well thank you."

Jake watches the exchange with that same soft expression I'd accidentally memorised from Harper's photo. “She's been talking about you," he admits.

Tilly gasps dramatically. "Dad!"

"What?" he says, looking entirely unrepentant. "It's true."

"You weren't supposed to tell her." Harper makes a suspicious choking sound into her coffee. I don't dare look at her.

"What exactly has she been saying?" I ask. Jake considers my question.

"Apparently you're nice."

"I am."

"You have sparkly earrings."

"Still true."

"And" He pauses, fighting a smile.

"You smell like flowers."

Heat creeps up my neck. "I was wearing perfume at the wedding."

"I know that," Tilly says patiently, as though I'm the slow one in this conversation. "That's why you smelled like flowers." Jake laughs loudly, warm and effortless.

"I'm sorry," he says. "She's reached the age where every thought immediately leaves her mouth."

"I hadn't noticed."

He grins at me, and my stomach chooses that exact moment to become a traitor. "Liar."

For a second, it feels... easy. Comfortable. Like we've known each other longer than one conversation at a wedding. Jake glances at the clock behind the counter.

"We'd better get going or someone will be explaining to Tilly's teacher why she missed the first bell because we were discussing jewellery."

"I could explain," Tilly offers.

"I'm sure you could." He reaches for her hand. She takes it, then immediately looks back at me.

"Bye, Liv!"

"Bye, Tilly."