Page 70 of When The Night Falls

But none came.

‘Is she the partner you mentioned?’ she asked while removing another plate.

I studied her intently. ‘Yeah, why?’

‘I’m surprised you’re comfortable sleeping with a colleague.’

I thought I detected a hint of resentment in her voice, but perhaps it was only wishful thinking on my part. It might well have been general disapproval, which would make sense in light of her stated reservations about sleeping with a colleague.

‘I’m usually not, but I can make exceptions. Something to bear in mind.’ My tone was playful, but we both knew I meant it, which was probably why she didn’t respond with anything other than a scoff.

I wondered again whether she had overheard my conversation with Jason the other day. I had meant for her to hear it, but I wasn’t sure she actually had. The door to her bedroom had been closed before I knocked. If she had, I wondered what her thoughts were. That Jason had decided to probe into my recent sexual endeavours so thoroughly wasn’t something I had anticipated, so I had tried to shine a light on the fact that I would much prefer to spend time with her than them. But her favour still seemed far from my reach, so now I doubted she had eavesdropped at all.

‘Impressive weights you’re doing,’ I said to help myself think of something else. ‘I saw you hip-thrusting two hundred kgs earlier.’

She gave me a smirk. ‘Scared I’ll put you out of business?’

Her cheek never failed to entertain me, but she always seemed to forget that I was rather a proficient player in that game myself.

‘We both know I’m a capable thruster. I can still hear you moaning my name in my sleep. Quite the melody, that was.’ I hadn’t been able to resist. There was something about teasing her that felt entirely necessary. She reminded me of an angry chipmunk whenever I flustered her, because her voice reached octaves so high that it frankly impressed me – and amused me.

Her mouth dropped open, and the fresh colour in her face contended with even the brightest of reds.

‘You!’ she spluttered, high-pitched as predicted. ‘Stop reminding me already,’ she continued, glorious in her anger.

I was sure my grin matched the Devil’s. ‘It was only a joke, Cara. Just taking the piss while I still can. Can’t be doing it once you start work now, can I?’

‘You shouldn’t be doing it now, either!’ she said in a harsh whisper, clearly irate. Her hands had curled into fists by her sides. Her anger didn’t intimidate me in the slightest, though. On the contrary, it tempted me to continue.

‘But you look so lovely with that colour in your cheeks – especially since I’m the one who put it there.’

‘You are unbelievable.’ She sounded despairing, and I realised I had shot myself in the foot when she undid the belt around her waist, grabbed her bag and stormed off.

As I gazed after her, I caught Jason in my peripheral vision. When I looked over, he shook his head at me.

‘Don’t be a dick, Will!’ he shouted across the gym, which earned us some curious glances from the few not listening to their own music.

I didn’t bother replying.

§ § §

In the changing rooms, I was facing my locker when Jason asked, ‘What did you say to Cara earlier?’

‘Nothing, really.’

‘Didn’t seem like nothing.’

‘Made a bad joke, that’s all.’

‘About what?’

‘Nothing I’d like to repeat. I mean to apologise.’

‘You should.’

I glanced in his direction and gave a faint nod as I reached into my locker for my shirt.

‘Were you flirting with her?’ he asked then, but since I had expected the question, my equilibrium remained intact.

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