Page 71 of Toy Boy

Tania’s voice cuts off my train of thought, and I fix my focus back on her.

“I should probably go home. It’s been a busy week and I’m actually incredibly tired.”

“Do you know how old you sounded there?” Tania laughs, and I drop my head and smile, running a hand along the back of my neck.

“Yes, thank you, I can hear myself. Just, lay off the granddad remarks, okay?”

“Okay. As long as you promise to stay up way past your bedtime.”

I look at her, and it takes my breath away how beautiful she is.

But she still isn’t Megan.

Nobody is Megan.

Nobody…

“Seriously, it’s Friday night and it’s not even eight 0’clock yet. We could grab something to eat, here, or maybe go into town, have a few drinks, then back to your place, or mine, for a nightcap. How does that sound?”

She’s right. It’s still early. And if I go home now it’s back to that empty house, one far too big for just me, and I’m beginning to wonder why I bought it now.

“Scott?”

“Hmm? Oh, sorry, yes.”

“Yes, what?”

“We’ll go into town. Grab something to eat there.” I drain the last of my whiskey and slam the glass down onto a nearby table. “I’ll just nip to the bathroom first. Go and see if you can find us a cab, and I’ll meet you out front.”

I head inside, desperate for a few minutes alone, but I’m no sooner through the back door than Tim stops me, a hand on my arm gently steering me to one side.

“Was that Tania Wilding I saw you with just now?”

“Yes, it was. Why? Do you have a problem with me seeing her?”

Ouch! That came out way more defensive than I meant it to sound, and that shows in Tim’s expression.

“Tim, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s fine.” He holds up his hands and smiles. “I’m just pleased to see you’re moving on, that’s all.”

“It’s nothing serious. Neither of us are looking for anything like that right now.”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s just good to see you enjoying yourself, and Tania, I think she’d be great for you. They say opposites attract. Right?”

“You think we’re opposites?”

“In almost every way I can think of.”

I can’t help laughing, because he’s probably right.

“Look, Scott, before I head off home can I ask you something?”

I feel my gut clench, and not in a good way. “Yes. Of course you can.”

“Is there anything you want to talk about?”

Where didthatcome from? “No. Why would there be?”

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