Page 101 of One for the Road
On a shelf above the poster sat a giant Lego spaceship. “The Millennium Falcon?” I asked, pointing to it.
His brows lifted over the rims of his glasses. “You’re intoStar Wars?”
“Not at all, but Cameron loved the films. And the TV shows. And the video games and books,” I added with an air of exhaustion. “He wanted to name TeddyLeia, which I strongly vetoed.” I reached up to the shelf, fingering the edge of the Lego. “She’d be obsessed with this.”
“She can have it.”
“Oh, no. Those sets cost hundreds of pounds.” I shook my head and stepped away. “I couldn’t afford that.”
“Come on, Lang, I’m not going to make you pay for it.” He stood, suddenly towering above me again as he reached for it.
“No, don’t.” Not thinking, I gripped his forearm. Felt the heat of his skin through his shirtsleeve. He froze, fingers mid-air.
I swallowed. “You’ll break it.”
“It’s a toy, Isla. Not a family heirloom. It’s meant to be played with.” He dropped his arm, breath puffing through his nose. “You need to stop acting surprised when I do nice things for you, you’re going to give the game away.”
He was right. I’d been jumping like a startled bird all afternoon. “I can’t help it. You’re just so—”
“Charming,” he deadpanned, knowing it would get a laugh out of me.
“Attentive,” I clarified. “It’s taken me by surprise.”
He shrugged, turning to face me. “For all intents and purposes, you’re mine, Isla. That means you get what you want.”
I felt like the room was spinning. My hand was still on his arm.I should let go. I needed to let go.
“Did you get the money from Cameron yet?” His question came out of nowhere.
My brain skipped before catching up.
“Not yet,” I said. “But I still have a little bit of time until I need to worry about the trip.”
“What about the stack of unpaid bills on your kitchen table?”
I jerked. “You snooped through my mail?”
“I didn’t snoop. They were right there, Isla. I could—”
“No,” I said firmly, knowing exactly what he was about to offer. “If we win the baking contest, it will be a non-issue.”
His face softened, an unconcealed concern on his face that made my throat scratchy. “Does he help you at all? Give you child support for Teddy?” My back met his bedroom wall. Right there beside hisJurassic Parkposter. “Please tell me he pays child support, or I’m going to lose my mind.”
“We’re in an ongoing discussion.”
“‘An ongoing discussion’? Fuck, Isla—”
“Don’t talk to me like that.” I poked my finger in hischest. “I might not have a fancy medical school degree, but I’m not an idiot—”
“I’m not calling you an idiot.” His hand circled my accusing finger, looking flabbergasted. “I’m pissed on your behalf. You know you can take legal action, right? Youshouldbe taking legal action.”
“I’m not going to sue Teddy’s dad.” I knew what it was to be a metaphorical punching bag between parents. The guilt that lingered when you couldn’t fix a problem that shouldn’t have been placed on your shoulders. I wouldn’t let Teddy experience that.
“Isla—”
I needed him to stop saying my name. To stop standing so close I could see my wide-eyed expression reflected in his glasses. It was making my stomach twist.
“Why do you care?” I snapped, sharper than I intended. I rarely lost my temper with anyone and hated how easily the words coiled off my tongue. “Just because we – becauseyou—”Made me come. I couldn’t even say the words. I was a child. “We aren’t a real couple. So, let me handle my business, okay? Thanks for trying to help.”
