“Then what? What would happen?”
“Then who knows? Maybe life will surprise you.”
I drop my head back against the sofa and cover my eyes with my hands.
“If you’ve come here asking me all these questions, it means you’re doubting something.”
“I’m here because I didn’t know where else to go.”
“Okay.”
“And don’t you dare breathe a word of this conversation to anyone. It doesn’t mean anything.”
“It’s between us. Like when we set fire to the garage and Ian got in trouble for it.”
I laugh, despite myself.
“Has something made you change your mind, Ryan?”
I don’t answer him.
I close my eyes and lose myself in my thoughts. In her smile, her jokes, her piercing tongue.
The way she took my father’s hand.
The colour of her eyes, which I’d like to paint across the walls of my house.
The heat of her hand. Her perfume.
Just her, and everything she is. Something I should try not to think about – or someone else is going to get hurt.
