Page 50 of The Two Halves of My Heart

His comment made me still, and I couldn’t help the warmth it brought out in me until I remembered the last time he’d taken me out and how that had ended.

“Okay.” I offered a weak smile, and he followed me out and down to the kitchen.

“Happy birthday!”

The cheer went up from Maddison’s parents, and we all took a seat at the table. The rich smells of baked tomatoes, cheese, and garlic made my stomach rumble as I looked forward to our meal. Vivien might have cooked lasagne for me a hundred times already, but it didn’t matter. I loved it.

It was a small thing, but the normality of this made the day a little easier, and after I’d stuffed my face, I felt a whole lot better. The worry of sitting here without Oliver eased.

“I hope you left room for chocolate cake, Grace?”

“Only yours, Vivien. It’s the best cake in the world.” And I wasn’t lying.

After dinner, Maddison ushered me out of the house, and he drove us to a local pub. Not what I had expected, but a marked improvement over the last venue. The building was all timber and glass, trying to be a restaurant over the pub it started as. We both ordered a bottle of beer and moved to the sofa off to one side.

“Cheers.” We clinked.

“Happy birthday.”

“Thank you.” I watched as his eyes flashed to the silver chain still wrapped around my wrist. I never took it off.

“I have an idea I want to run past you. And I want you to actually think about it before you give me your answer, agreed?” He turned to stare at me, giving me no room to be vague with my response.

“Okay.” I agreed, although a sinking feeling opened up in my stomach at the idea I’d just set myself up in his trap.

“What are you doing next year for Uni?”

“The same. One year down, two to go, Mads,” I answered, confused.

“Yeah, but don’t you all move out during that time? Get your own place?”

“I’m living at home. I don’t need to move out because it’s the same as it’s always been. No change. It’s not like I’m in halls.”

“Okay, look.” He shuffled forward and twisted farther around to face me. “I’ve been thinking of moving out. Sure, being at home has its advantages —”

“Yeah, like no rent and free food,” I mocked and took a long sip of beer.

“I pay rent. And it’s not always lasagne and cake. I can cook a half-decent stir-fry or spag bol. Maybe.”

“Good to know,” I giggled.

“But seriously, I want my own place. I’m earning some decent money, at least enough to get a place, and think it’s the right time. It would be even better if we shared.”

“Shared what?” I looked at him, a little lost.

“Shared the place. You know, housemates. Rent would be cheaper. We can look out for each other.”

His words repeated in my mind. Did he really just ask me to move in with him?

“Don’t look so confused. It’s not that hard to understand. You’re my best friend. You should be off at Uni somewhere, but for whatever reason, you stayed here at home. I’m not going to push, but you deserve to spread your wings.”

“And you want me to do it with you?”

He gave me a sexy grin that made it hard for me to start planning my excuses. “Yes, I do. As friends. I think we both need this.” He took my hand in his, and my heart gave a big thud in my chest.

I pulled my hand back and got busy with my drink, running through the objections that sprung to mind. I’d never wanted to move in with anyone. I’d been perfectly happy in my little world, but Maddison had smashed that wide open. Could I?

“As friends?” I asked timidly, making sure I understood this. We still hadn’t spoken about the kiss—the kiss that burned through my senses and ignited a flame in the centre of my heart before I fell back to reality.

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