at me with an I’ve won smile.
I shake my head knowing full well he hasn’t won yet. Mary stands up and raises her tank top. She has no bra on and her full breasts sit nicely on her chest, her nipples peaking
“What do you think, Antonia?”
I look over to Gavin, whose jaw is agape.
“Holy shit!”
“Well, Mary, I think you have an incredible rack, and going by the dribble on Gavin’s chin, I believe he thinks so too.”
“Erm, are we interrupting?”
Mary drops her top quickly.
“Gabe.” For someone as big as him, he moves around like a ninja. We didn’t even hear the door go.
Putting my mug down, I jump up and go to hug him. He lifts me from the floor and squeezes.
“Hey, girl!” He kisses my head and puts me back on my feet then points over at Gavin. “What are you doing in her bed, fucker?”
Gavin exhales. “She’s finally come to her senses and we’re in love now.”
Gabe marches over to him and grabs him into a headlock.
“Hey!” Libby bellows, her silhouette forming now Gabe’s frame has moved from the doorway.
“Hey.” I pull her into an embrace. “How was your trip? Did you have fun?” I ask as they both beam at me.
“Oh, yes.”
Gabe keeps looking over to Mary, whose eyes have been watching the carpet since Gabe and Libby arrived. Gavin follows Gabe’s eyes and laughs.
“You’re wondering if there’s a name to go with the tits?” Gavin asks, gaining himself a punch to the arm from Gabe and a swat over the head from Libby.
“Sorry, guys. This is my cousin, Mary. She’s staying with me.”
Libby raises an eyebrow. “The history buff?” She eyes Mary.
I giggle. “Yes. She’s very bright and has become very forward, apparently.” I cock an eyebrow at her and she turns red.
“He asked for it,” she mutters.
Gavin grins. “If that’s the reward, I’ll be asking for a lot more… Ow!” Gavin rubs his arm. “Fuck, Gabe. That one’s going to bruise.”
Gabe points a finger at him. “Haven’t you learnt your lesson yet?”
“So, we’re back and we’ve missed you, so… family dinner tonight?” Libby asks enthusiastically.
“Actually I was planning on inviting you all to my apartment for a house warming. I’ll buy dinner,” Gavin offers.
“You moved?” Gabe asks, confused.
“Yeah, and you should see my NEIGHBORs. Wowzer.”
Gabe rolls his eyes. “Please don’t lay your NEIGHBOR, Gav. Have you ever heard the term don’t eat where you sleep?”
“His NEIGHBORs would have to like him in order to sleep with him, and I think by the slap she gave him last night, it’s apparent she doesn’t,” Mary informs the room.
Gabe’s eyebrows reach his hairline. “Some chick slap you, dude?” Gavin shakes his head. “I wasn’t referring to that NEIGHBOR.” He scowls at Mary.
“Well, the other one is taken and her cousin dislikes you just as much as the slap-happy one.”
“So, you flash your rack to people you don’t like? Noted. What do you flash if you like them?”
Mary folds her arms over her chest and we’re watching them going back and forth like a tennis match. She saunters over to him and gets real close. “That’s something you’ll never know.”
He grabs at his heart. “You’re killing me. Please, Mary. Like me,” he says in a mocking voice.
“Sexual tension, anyone?” Libby asks. She tilts her head and looks around to pretend it wasn’t her who stated the fact.
“Well, as lovely as it is to see you all, do you mind exiting my bedroom so I can get dressed?”
There’s a flurry of movement as they all leave me in my room. I hear my phone beeping with a text message from Finlay
Missing you.
It dawns on me how light my mood has become since he’s left. I almost feel human again. I don’t reply, instead I jump in the shower and dress in a light sweater and jeans before making my way into the lounge, which has been overtaken. Gavin and Gabe are screaming at the game they’re playing while Mary and Libby are cooking in the kitchen.
“What are you cooking?”
“French toast,” Libby replies with a grin.
I’ve missed them around here.
The clouds are finally parting.
Snatching up a piece of the toast, I almost drop it when there’s a light tap on the front door.
“Come in.”
Aidan appears, holding a beautiful bouquet of red roses. “Hey. These were being delivered as I came past reception. I offered to bring them up for you.” Handing me the flowers, he looks around at everyone and asks, “Breakfast party?”
“Yes. Grab a plate,” I tell him, taking the