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Alice felt a blush creeping up her throat. “Okay then, you’ve been unfaithful. That’s the obvious choice.”
“God, no! That would make me out to be a complete bastard.”
She couldn’t help thinking there were probably quite a few women around Perth who would agree with that definition. “Right. Okay then, I’m sick of your narcissism and selfish attitude.”
Aaron’s eyes rounded. “That’s almost worse. How about you’re going off to travel the world and find yourself?”
“How about I fall in love with someone else?”
Aaron wrinkled his nose. “You wouldn’t.” His expression was so hurt-puppy, Alice couldn’t help a giggle. “Would you?” he finished.
“Quite possibly.” Again that look lingered between them for a second longer than necessary and made strange hot feelings dart into parts of her that really weren’t used to this many strange hot feelings in close succession. She shifted in her seat and looked out of the window. “There’s only so many nights on the couch and demands for bacon sandwiches a girl will put up with from her boyfriend, you know.”
“I never knew that bothered you.”
“I—it doesn’t. I’m acting my part.”
Aaron laughed and then winced. “Ouch, that was not a great idea.”
Alice resisted the urge to reach in her bag for some paracetamol. Sex sirens didnotmother men. They seduced them. And she’d better start remembering that.
As Aaron finished his sandwich, she pulled her purse out of her bag. His gaze latched onto her hand. “I’ve never seen that ring before. Who gave it to you?”
If she’d been more scheming she might have pretended it was from an admirer, but out it came. “Mum.”
“You never wear it. Nor, come to think of it”—he reached out and before she knew it her hand was clasped gently in his warm one and turned over—“have I ever seen your nails painted before.”
“It’s called Moon Shimmer,” she gasped, her heart skidding against her ribs.
Quickly, he dropped her hand and his jaw tightened momentarily before he asked casually, “How long is Rowena away for?”
She tried to ignore the tingles and focus on his question. Her mum’s visit to England was a bit open-ended and somewhat shrouded in mystery. Alice was used to Rowena’s spontaneous overseas trips, but usually her mum filled her in on every last detail. There had been fewer phone calls this time, and not as many photos on Facebook. “At least six weeks. She was a bit odd about it. I hope she’s not going to purchase a bookshop in some quaint little English backwater and tell me I should come and help her run it.”
“Your mum’s eccentric, not crazy.”
“I don’t know. She’s never got over her halcyon days studying in England. I think she almost blames me for the fact she couldn’t stay longer.”
“How could she? You weren’t even alive.”
“No, but she was pregnant with me, that’s the reason she came back.”
Aaron’s eyebrows shot up. “I don’t think I ever knew that.”
Alice flicked open her purse and dragged out a ten dollar note. “Guess I never thought to mention it.” The old feeling of guilt kicked at her gut. As if she were responsible for Rowena’s happiness, even as an embryo. “Anyway, I really should be going, I have to relieve Amanda at the shop. She needs to be gone by midday to take her son to hockey practice.”
“I’ll get this,” Aaron said.
“We’ll split the bill.”
“It’smyhangover brunch.” Playfully he grabbed her purse and made to shove it back in her bag. A scuffle ensued. “While you’re my girlfriend, I pay.”
Alice pouted. It actually felt quite good.
“Besides,” Aaron added, zipping up her bag and placing the strap over her shoulder, “my new salary is eye-wateringly large and I have to spend it on something.”
“To which David and Oliver Blake would respond…?”
“—that I am a hedonistic and immature fuckwit…”
