“Do you live on your own now?” Dylan asks, blinking rapidly.
“Yes.” I make a face. “In a flat on the bus route to work.”
Dylan studies me, and I can see he’s trying to work me out. I’ve got a great poker face, so unless he asks, he won’t know shit.
“Are you happy?”
Dylan’s question takes me by surprise, and I frown.
“No, not really,” I confess. “I’m not great at being single. I get lonely.”
My cheeks flame as my unexpected admission, but Dylan is a perfect gentleman.
“I know. Gotta miss spooning, hey?” He chuckles, lifting our plates.
My mind fills with images of spooning with David, and nausea sweeps through me. How could he say he loved me only to leave me for someone else? After cheating on me, no less.
“Does the pain ever go away?” I mutter to no one in particular.
“Yes and no,” Dylan declares, handing me a steaming cup of tea. “I miss her sometimes. But I’m still mad, you know?”
“If she turned up now—” I begin, as Dylan waves his hand, screwing up his face.
“No second chances. Not after that. What she did wasn’t an accident.”
I bow my head as I nod, blowing on my tea.
“I’d rather be on my own and happy than with her and wondering if I can trust her. That’s not what I want.”
“What do you want?” I ask, easing myself back onto the sofa.
“Nothing. I’ve got my house, my family. I’ve got food in the fridge and clothes on my back. I’ve got friends.” Dylan shrugs. “I can walk to the beach. What more could I want?”
“Walk to the beach?” I echo, stifling laughter. “It’s too far to walk!”
Dylan grins, and my stomach flutters as he pretends to think about it.
“Well, Icouldwalk to the beach. It would just take an hour.”
We both laugh, and sip our tea in companionable silence. Dylan does have a point. He has friends and family; and a home.
“You’ve also got most of the girls in town lusting after you,” I remind him, pushing my hair behind my ear.
“Nah, that’s not true. All the good ones are taken.” He laughs, and I gasp.
“Charming, Charmer,” I huff as his eyes widen.
“Hey, in fairness, you were taken at one point, so I’m right.”
He grins at me, and I blush, shaking my head as I look away.
“Well, I’m not now.” I look up in horror, shaking my head as I realise what I’ve said. “That came out wrong!”
“Are you propositioning me?” Dylan teases, and I close my eyes with mortification.
“Shit. No. No way,never.”
“Ah, I know, I’m playing. Seriously, Meredith.” Dylan looks at me, all mischief gone from his eyes. “I don’t want you to feel at all uncomfortable whilst you’re here, so don’t worry.”
