Page 73 of All the Forbidden Things
Still staring at me, he responds with, “Nah. I’ve gotta pick Kenzie up from the shop on my way home. Did Jay message you?”
“Yeah, you going?”
Jay and Marnie have invited us all to their place for Thanksgiving. Marnie, Mel, and Whitney are American, so they usually take turns to host the event. It was supposed to be our turn this year, but that obviously isn’t going to happen.
I stare down at a Chinese takeaway menu, not reading a word, as I experience the horrible sinking feeling in my gut that always accompanies thoughts of Whitney. Thankfully, those thoughts have been rare the last couple of days . . . since Billie arrived, in fact, but she’ll be here by the end of next week, and there’ll be no avoiding her then. I’m already regretting my decision to offer her a room here while she convalesces and recovers from her accident. I’m also not looking forward to her reaction to the divorce papers I’m planning on serving her next month.
“Yeah, we’ll go. You?” I look up at Cal as he speaks.
“Yeah, I’m up for it.”
He nods slowly. “Jake’s coming. We can run through all of the new tracks with them both.”
“Sounds good.”
I have a feeling that Cal is finding this conversation about as dull as I am, and I’m convinced he’s conducting it for the sole purpose of watching me, studying me, and waiting for Billie to arrive so he can observe us together. It’s what Cal does, he’s a people watcher, and I wonder, does he know about the inappropriate thoughts I’ve been having of his sister? Is my guilt written all over my face?
As if I conjured her, Billie appears in my kitchen. She’s wearing a YWR hoodie, leopard-print flannel pyjama bottoms, and a pair of dusky pink UGG’s. Her face is free of any make-up, and her auburn hair is piled up on her head.
This woman almost floors me with her pure and natural beauty. She has the kind of face artists want to paint and that songs are written about. It’s not just her physical beauty, it’s the light that shines from within her. Autumn sunshine, that’s what she is.
A melody instantly starts to form in my head, and lyrics start to take form.
I stand and find one of the many pads and pencils I keep around the house precisely for this purpose then sit down at the table and start scribbling.
“Sorry,” Billie puffs, and I look up to watch her as I contemplate the next line of the song I’m writing about her.
“Those boxes were grimy. I didn’t want to be touching the baby after I handled them so needed a quick shower.”
I realise too late that Cal’s eyes are still on me and not on his sister. He’s been watching me watch Billie.
I honestly don’t remember the last time I blushed, but I’m confident that heat is spreading across my chest and rising to my neck and face, and I can only hope my stubble hides the change in colour my cheeks are probably displaying.
Layla gives a wail, turning everyone’s attention her way.
“She’s due a feed. I’ll get her bottle warmed up.”
My eyes automatically track Billie’s movements to the fridge to where she retrieves a bottle, and then as she moves to the warmer plugged in on the worktop.
“Wendy didn’t leave any more dinners. Looks like it’s takeaway tonight. Anything in particular you fancy, Bamm?”
“You two eat together every night?” Cal questions.
Billie turns. “Every night? I’ve only been here a couple of days, but yeah, we ate together last night. It’s not like it’s in my contract or anything though.”
There’s an awkward silence as Billie takes Layla from Cal. I watch as he kisses the top of my daughter’s head before relinquishing his hold. It warms my heart that Layla is loved by so many people and will never be short of affection.
Maybe I read Cal wrong and he’s not suspicious.
“You wanna come home for dinner Friday night?” Cal asks Billie as she sits in a chair, lays Layla across her lap, and changes her nappy like an absolute pro.
Billie looks up at me. “You don’t need me for anything Friday night, do you?”
“Nope.” I shake my head and chew on my pencil as I respond.
“Can I also borrow a car?”
I want to tell her no, that I’ll drop her off and pick her up after. I want to ask Cal where my invite is. I consider gate crashing anyway.
