“Now, who’s trying to manipulate who?” I smirked.
His smile rose slowly before he pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. “Jesus, Phoebe. The things you do to me. Who am I? Who is this guy?”
I half-turned his way and pulled his hand down until he looked at me again. “The only thing wrong with you right now is that you’re not listening to this body?—”
“Actually, I think the problem is that Iamlistening to my body, and you’re not letting me do what it needs to do.” Hedropped his gaze to the bulge in his trousers before he raised both brows at me. “Know what I’m saying?”
I was about to hit him with more sarcasm when my phone rang, pulling my attention away. With a scowl, I plucked it out of my jacket pocket and looked at the flashing screen to see Mum calling me, which was unusual, given that I’d already text her when we’d landed.
“Hey, Mum,” I answered, holding my finger up to Henry. “You okay?”
“Hello, darling. Everything’s fine. Please don’t worry.”
“Did you get my texts about our flight delays?”
“Yes, yes. Got those. Thanks for letting us know. Where are you now, though?”
I glanced at Henry again. “Erm. Long story, but I’m a few hours away from Matlock still. The girls and I are staying down south for the night with some… friends.”
“Friend?” Henry mouthed, and I shook my head at him.
“Oh.” Mum cleared her throat. “I see. Well, it’s just?—”
“Give me the phone, Belinda,” an unwanted voice echoed down the line, making my skin prickle instantly. “Let me talk to her.”
Rob?What the hell was he doing there?
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Mum told him.
“Please, Belinda,” Rob protested, followed by a quiet scuffle that created a lot of static noise before his voice became clearer on the line. “Phoebe? You there?”
“Excuse me!” Mum called out in the background. “What on earth do you think you’re doing?”
Anger took over every fibre of my being, a rage so strong burning up inside me, I had no doubt Henry saw all of it as he sat forward in his seat and studied me with concern.
“Rob,” I ground out through gritted teeth.
“Hey, baby,” Rob said with a sigh.
Henry’s jaw tightened and his nostrils flared, clearly having heard Rob’s term of endearment.
“Hell, it’s good to hear you say my name again,” Rob went on. “I’ve missed you lately.”
“What the hell do you think you’re playing at? Why are you harassing my mum and taking her phone?”
“Harassing’s a bit strong, isn’t it?”
“You have no right to be there.”
“She doesn’t mind, do you, Belinda?” A brief pause held the line before he said, “See! All’s good. Anyway…” Rob sighed again, and I imagined him puffing out his chest and running a hand through his greasy hair as he peacocked his way around my parents’ home. “Where are you? Your flight details said you were supposed to be back by now, but you’re nowhere to be found. You know I don’t like to be kept waiting, Phoebe.”
“You’ve been looking for me?”
“Course I have. Got you some flowers and everything.” I heard the crinkling of cellophane and tissue paper in his hand. “Figured you’d had your fun on your little trip now. Score’s even, right? I hurt you. You hurt me. We can get back to how things are supposed to be.”
“And that is…?”
“Us. Together. You and me. Me and you. You know, the good girl taming the rogue and all that.”
