Something warm bloomed in Leah’s chest. The fact that the pair of them clearly didn’t see her as an annoying tag-along on Will’s precious week off meant more to her than she could say.
‘I guess he probably wouldn’t expect me to be hanging out with his family on his first day in town, that’s all,’ she said quietly.
‘Well, then he’s dafter than I thought,’ said Rosie stoutly. ‘I mean… I’ve known Will forever, but I talk to you way more often. It’s like you’re our honorary sister-in-law, or something!’
‘Totally,’ said Connie, nodding enthusiastically.
Leah beamed at the compliment while simultaneously wishing they’d keep their voices down. It was difficult enough keeping her feelings for Will buried under a neat, professional veneer, without having to explain why the words “sister-in-law” were drifting up the beach.
‘Well… thanks,’ she said in a near whisper, hoping they’d follow her lead. ‘That actually means a lot.’
‘Softie!’ chuckled Rosie.
‘Yeah,’ said Connie, her voice suddenly thick with emotion. ‘And can I just remind the pair of you that I’mverypregnant right now, and if you don’t want a mushy, emotional outburst, you’d better change the subject.’
‘Okay!’ laughed Leah, unable to stop herself from casting a glance at Connie’s bump. ‘What would you like to talk about?’
‘I’d like to go back to the reason Will looks a bit like he’s just been hit with a haddock,’ said Connie.
The emotion was suddenly, miraculously gone from her voice, and Leah had the distinct impression she’d just been played.
‘He’s probably hungry,’ said Leah with a little shrug that had her grabbing at her towel before it slipped. ‘That’s usually the answer.’
‘That’s a very boring answer, though,’ said Rosie, nudging her in the ribs.
‘Too right,’ said Connie. ‘I’m going to ask Will. He might say something more interesting!’
Leah opened her mouth to protest… then shut it again. She couldn’t think of a single reason why Connie shouldn’t head up the beach to talk to the uncle of her unborn child. Besides, it was too late anyway—Connie had already dashed off, hotfooting it over the pebbles at a surprising speed for someone in her condition.
‘Don’t worry,’ chuckled Rosie, clearly catching the look of anxious horror on Leah’s face. ‘I’m sure she’ll be tactful.’
‘Really?’ said Leah, unable to hide her scepticism.
‘Erm… not really, no,’ laughed Rosie. ‘But don’t worry too much. I mean, you and Will spend so much time together, I’m sure he knows exactly where the pair of you stand, right?’
Leah stared hard at the pebbles for a moment, pretending to focus on wringing more water out of her hair.
‘Or… maybe not?’ said Rosie, peering at her intently, looking excited.
‘It’s nothing!’ said Leah quickly. ‘Really – it’s just weird being here together but not working, you know… and I don’t meantogethertogether. Just in the same town. I mean, obviously we’re not together. Duh. Hahaha!’
Leah shut her mouth, aware that she’d just entered auto-babble mode and probably sounded like a complete lunatic.
‘Mm…’ said Rosie.
Leah puffed out a breath. This really wasn’t going how she wanted it to!
‘I’m serious, there’s nothing going on between me and Will,’ she said, concentrating on keeping her voice nice and neutral… maybe even a tad cold.
‘Oh, I believe you,’ said Rosie, nodding. ‘That’s not to say that you aren’t sitting there wishing somethingwasgoing on, though. Or at the very least, I bet that’s whathe’swishing!’
‘I… he… I…’ spluttered Leah.
Urgh, this was going from bad to worse!
‘That’s what I thought!’ chuckled Rosie. ‘Ooh, this is so exciting.’
‘It’s really not,’ said Leah, through gritted teeth.
