Page 74 of Past

"I kind of need a place to stay. Just for a few weeks until I find somewhere. My family isn’t moving here for two months," she says to Izzy, who smiles widely.

"You can stay with me," she says.

"Sorry, beauty, she can't. Allie’s room is already rented out. Just yesterday. I forgot to tell you," Blake says, coming to stand next to Izzy while Tilly looks him up and down.

"Good choice," she whispers to Izzy, making her laugh.

"She can stay here, Elliot's room is empty now, and we have others," Harley says, making everyone look toward him, but his gaze never leaves Tilly.

"I can stay in a hotel. I don't want to put any of you out," she says, looking very nervous.

"I insist," Harley says, and I watch Tilly nod.

"Well, thanks. I will pay you rent, of course,"she says.

"No, you won't. Izzy can sort out bed sheets for you," Harley says with one more look at Tilly before walking away.

"Hey, big man, I will," Tilly shouts, and I hear a chuckle from Harley in the kitchen.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Tilly. Izzy has told me about you since she first came here," I say, holding out a hand for her to shake.

"You must be Elliot." She smiles, shaking my hand.

"I'm Blake, but you've guessed that." Blake smiles.

"Yeah, and the fact that missy over here has sent me pictures of everyone helps. That was Harley, right?" she says, gesturing to the kitchen area.

"Yes, but tell me all about France and why you’re here early." Izzy practically bounces up and down in excitement now.

"Come on then." Tilly smiles, but it looks a little forced.

"I will help you." Blake laughs, coming over to pick a box up while I get the other one.

"I think something is broke," Blake says as he puts the box in my boot.

"Ah well," I mutter, pushing my own box in and heading back for the other two.

"Want to come to the gym with me? I don't think I will be spending the day with Izzy like I planned," Blake says with a smirk.

"Sure. Meet you there in an hour?"

"Later, man," Blake says before walking back inside.

I get the other two boxes before driving back to our apartment. I find Allie in the kitchen, singing to the radio while stirring something in a pot on the cooker. She is wearing only one of my shirts, which falls to her knees, and she looks way too hot in my clothes.

"Hey, you," she says, looking over her shoulder at me as I put my keys on the side.

"Hey," I say, wrapping my arms around her from behind and kissing her cheek.

"Get everything you needed?" she asks.

"Yeah. Izzy’s friend, Tilly, just turned up and is staying in my room for a bit,"I tell her.

"Wow, Tilly is here already? I can't wait to meet her," Allie says, turning off the cooker and turning to face me.

"She seems nice," I say, thinking about how Harley looked at her. If I didn't know my brother better, I would say he was interested, but I know Harley doesn't date.

"Hmm, well, Luke invited himself over to watch a movie tonight," Allie says, making me chuckle.

---