Page 85 of Let Me Love You (Excess All Areas 5)

Ben folded the rag he’d been using and poured the soapy liquid down the drain just outside of the roller shutter doors that were currently open. He glanced at his watch and realised he needed to get home and get changed.

Because he had a date.

He unrolled some notes from his wallet to cover the three hours Shawn had been there. “Your first paycheck. Give half to Moira for the plates. With the other half, tell her you’re buying tea tomorrow from the chippy for you both as a treat.”

Shawn’s face dropped. “But I was hoping to go—”

“Plates and chippy. It’s your apology. There’s more where that came from if you show up and work hard like you did tonight. But I have to lock up and go.”

As he watched Shawn go, he wondered if this was the same sense of satisfaction Alex got from watching kids at his centre. He wouldn’t be able to help as many kids as Alex could, but maybe he could help a handful find their way.

An hour later, after a quick shower and then meeting Chaya just outside her apartment, they took the tram into town. “Where are we eating?” Chaya asked, her hand around his bicep.

He ignored the group of lads skateboarding who seemed to have noticed who he was. He put his head down and ushered them a little faster. “Thought we’d grab ramen at the Japanese place on Piccadilly Gardens, then I have a surprise.”

“Oh, I like those. And ramen sounds good.”

The place was busy, as he’d expected, but they were able to find two seats along the window near the corner.

“You always over-order when we eat here,” Chaya said playfully once their server disappeared with their long list of food items, plus wine for her and beer for him.

Ben placed his hand over the back of her tall stool. “I can never decide, and it all sounds good. Like Tonkotsu. Can never decide between the pork belly and the seafood. And there are the buns…like, all of them.” Chaya had gone with her usual, the vegetable yakisoba and the pumpkin croquette buns.

“You know, if we live together, you won’t be able to eat pork at home, so you best eat it here.”

“Urgh. That might be the only bit I’ll find hard. I fucking love bacon. And second, what’s with the if?”

“Theifis because I don’t want to presume. And second, is the bacon thing really a big deal for you?”

Ben huffed out a laugh and thanked the server for delivering their drinks. “Nah. I can always pop over to Nan’s and bitch about it until she makes me a bacon bap.” He lifted his beer. “Cheers.”

Chaya touched her glass to his. “Cheers. Just brush your teeth afterwards.”

“After the beer?”

“No, the bacon.”

“I will, as long as you drop theif. I love you. We’re going to live together in a beautiful bacon-deprived house and grow old together.”

She slapped his arm playfully. “Will you shut up about the bacon and tell me you love me again.”

“Why should I? You only gave up one of the mitzvahs of your faith, I’m giving up boiled ham sandwiches, and bacon butties. Fry-up breakfasts will never be the same. That’s three things, all because I love you.”

“You can get vegan bacon,” Chaya offered with a grin.

“Steady, babe, that’s like offering alcohol-free beer.”

“I love you too. For the record. It’s the first time we’ve said it since…well, before.”

“It is.” He placed his hand around her neck and kissed her. “I love you so much I’m giving up bacon.”

Their food arrived and they both dove in. She was right. He had over-ordered, but it all tasted so good.

When they were done, the bill came, and Chaya began to pull out her purse. Gently, he placed his hand over hers. “I hope you don’t think you’re paying.”

Chaya looked up at him, her eyes puzzled. “But we always split it.”

Ben shook his head. “We don’t anymore.”

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