Page 94 of Fix Them Up
‘I like him. A lot.’
‘Yep, that much is obvious.’
‘Stop it. I like him. And we… we’ve been doing some stuff. We kissed. Amongst other things.’
Willa snorted. ‘That much is obvious, too.’
I could feel my cheeks burn. ‘No, it isn’t. No one knows.’
‘Babes,’ Willa said. ‘Liam looks like the cat that got the cream when he looks at you. Like you’re edible. It’s ridiculous.’
‘You’rebeing ridiculous,’ I said childishly. ‘And I do like him,and I know he likes me. But I’m moving back, you know that.’ I raised my hands. ‘I mean, I’ve got a month left.’
‘Two weeks,’ Willa said, inspecting her nails.
‘No, four weeks.’
Willa glanced up. ‘Two. Think about it.’
Oh. It was my birthday tomorrow.
‘Fuck,’ I shouted.
How had it gone that quickly?
Liam was almost done installing the boring white tiles in the bathroom, but the kitchen was nowhere near finished. I’d have to move back soon.
‘Indeed. So what are you going to do?’
‘What do you mean? I have no choice. I’ve got to come back to work.’
‘No, you don’t.’
‘Yes, I do. I need to come back because you need me.’ I glanced at Willa. ‘Right?’
‘I’d be lying if I didn’t need the help at work.’ Willa bit her lip. ‘But my dad is becoming a bit more involved with the day-to-day of Horizon.’
I got a sinking feeling in my stomach. It was Willa’s worst nightmare. Willa had a great relationship with her dad but was overly eager to please him. It would have been a low point to ask for his help. Or worse, he interfered after discovering how bad the situation was.
Willa downed the last of her wine.
‘I’m sorry, Wills.’
‘It’s a good thing. Dad and I will strategise a new approach to keeping existing clients, at the very least.’ Willa smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
‘I can help. I want to help.’
‘How?’ Willa cocked an eyebrow. ‘Are you going to hand out more chewed gum? Maybe this time, you could do used tissues, too.’
I gave her a flat look. ‘Cow.’
Willa’s lips twitched, and then her face grew serious. ‘You are your own person, Kat. You can hand in your notice right now if you want.’ Willa’s eyes were soft. ‘Or if you want, you can come back. But don’t pretend I’m the big bad wolf. I will not make this easier for you by ordering you home. It’s your choice. And for the record. This is the best I’ve seen you in years. You look brighter. Happier.’
It was like a foot had been removed from my chest.
‘Thanks, Wills.’ My eyes began to water.
‘No, no. None of that, please.’ Willa waved her hand at my face, and I laughed. Willa was allergic to tears. She was repressed as fuck.
