“Can I stay here with you? I can’t go back to that house by myself.”
“Of course, Martin. Take all the time you need.” He doesn’t need to insist: he’s Evan’s father, my first and maybe only love. I’d do anything for him.
“You’re the best, Chris,” he plants a soft kiss on my cheek, which instinctively makes me smile.
“Right, the best. Is that why I’m still single?”
“It’ll happen soon for you.”
“I’ve heard that before.”
“You’re beautiful, darling.”
“But not beautiful enough for you to stay with me.”
“Chris…” he warns.
“Yeah, yeah, I know. You prefer…something else.”
“You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. You know that.”
I smile, hugging him tight. “You can have the sofa.”
“That’s perfect. Thanks.”
I get up quickly, ready to go and find a pillow and a blanket for our unexpected guest, when Martin gently takes my arm.
“Do you think you could stay here with me, for a while?”
“Martin…”
“Only until I start to fall asleep. You know I don’t like being alone…” he stares at me with his beautiful brown eyes and I nod, unconvinced.
He gets up and hugs me, tightly.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you two.”
I squeeze him back. I really do care about him, too, and he needs our affection right now – something I’d never deny him.
