Page 143 of Love ad Lib
He nodded. ‘And if I’m pissed, then I’m drunk?’
‘Yes, except when you’re pissed off, whichdoesmean you’re cross.’
His forehead furrowed. ‘Man, I need to write this down. I think I’m still jet lagged.’
‘Don’t worry. We’ll be fine,’ she said, feeling anything but. ‘Let’s go upstairs and set up.’
Brandon put his hand on his stomach. ‘I’ll join you in a bit. I just need to visit the bathroom.’
Libby went upstairs and started setting up the space. It was so familiar, yet without Claire it felt wrong. Her friend had promised to be back within six months but it seemed unlikely. Motherhood looked exhausting and Claire was wiped out from the lack of sleep and the bug, which didn’t seem to want to leave her.
Libby thought back to the living history tours she saw in Bath and the one she ran at the Manor. Was she crazy to think of getting work in Somerset? What would happen if Henry lost his job at Conqueror? Would he get another one in the City or might he return to Foxbrooke?
‘Libby!’
Henry was at the top of the stairs, his arms open.
She ran into his hug. ‘I missed you.’
His face was alight as he smiled at her. ‘I missed you too. Two and a half hours away from you is two and a half hours too much.’
He cradled her head and brushed his lips against hers. Desire roared to life and she grabbed the back of his collar to pull him closer, her tongue slipping out to dance with his. Each time they kissed it felt more potent than the last, more charged with energy, feeling and meaning.
The sound of a throat being cleared broke them apart.
Lucas was standing at the top of the stairs.
A supercilious smile spread across his face as he gave them both a slow hand clap and a little bow.
‘Very impressive. You’re getting very method there with my girlfriend, Henry.’
Henry’s hold on her tightened.
‘Lucas.’ Libby’s heart hammered as she faced him. ‘I told Henry that you and I were not together.’
Lucas raised an eyebrow then looked around the empty space. ‘So, who is this particular show for then?’
‘No-one.’ Henry’s tone was even, but it was underpinned with steel. Libby bit back a whimper at the authority in his voice.
‘So, you two…?’
‘Libby is my girlfriend.’
She bit the inside of her mouth to stop herself shrieking with excitement.
Lucas looked at her sceptically. She nodded.
He sniffed. ‘Well, do you mind if I borrowyourgirlfriend for a moment?’
Henry stiffened. ‘Borrow?’
She gave Henry’s hand a squeeze. ‘I’ve got a few minutes before people start arriving. It’s fine.’
Lucas stalked to the end of the room and stood by the grimy window, his arms crossed.
Libby followed, making sure there was enough space between them to reassure Henry her feelings for Lucas had changed.
‘Lib-Lob,’ he whispered. ‘What the fuck? Did he pay you extra to shag him?’
