Page 130 of Love ad Lib
‘Um, I don’t know.’
‘Can I speak to him about it? Jack?’
There was a pause before Henry replied. ‘Um… I suppose so?’
‘Yousupposeso?’
He looked away. ‘He’s out all the time and is really difficult to get hold of, but I could ask him?’
‘Okay. So, when would he want me to start?’
‘Er, tomorrow if you can? His current house-sitter is leaving then.’
Her head was in a whirl. This was a lifeline. A way of being able to stay in London and work. She couldn’t take advantage of Henry’s charity and move in with him, but she could do this. She could pay off her debts and start to build her savings back up. Finally, there was light at the end of the tunnel.
Henry carriedLibby’s bags to Claire’s front door. Her friend flung it open, a devilish smile on her face.
‘How did it go?’ she asked.
There was a brief but excruciating silence as the two of them froze, before Libby recovered.
‘Fine! Great! We, um, I had a lovely time.’
‘Marvellous. So glad it was a success. Henry, do you want to come in for a cup of tea?’
He took a step back. ‘Thank you, but I should get going.’
‘Oh. Okay, no worries.’ She lifted Libby’s bags. ‘I’ll take these in and leave you to say your goodbyes.’
As Claire disappeared, Henry stepped forward, hands in his pockets.
Libby waited for him to speak, but it appeared he was struggling to find the words.
‘Henry—’
‘Can I see you again?’ he blurted. ‘Dinner maybe?’
Her heart raced off the blocks. His cheeks were darker, his gaze intense. Maybe hedidwant what they had to grow?
She nodded, suddenly unable to find her own words.
His shoulders relaxed. ‘Tomorrow? After you've settled into Jack’s place?’
She nodded. ‘But should I really leave the cat alone on our first night together? I know nothing about looking after them.’
‘We can get take-out.’
She smiled. ‘Thank you, Henry. For everything.’
He shook his head. ‘The thanks are all for you, Libby. You were… It was—’ He broke off, staring at the pavement. ‘Amazing.’
She put her arms around him and squeezed. He took his hands out of his pockets and held her tightly back.
She kissed his cheek. ‘Tomorrow?’
He nodded. ‘Can’t wait.’
‘Well?’
