Page 73 of Kiss Me Like You Mean It

‘I would be unstoppable if I could wield a hammer,’ I agree, as Kat and Mei spill inside from the cold in a flurry of chatter, and Taco jumps all over them, delighted.

‘We brought wine!’ Kat holds out a bottle in each hand.

‘Ohhh, look at the table!’ Mei exclaims. ‘This is so pretty!’

‘Are those just branches from outside?’ Kat touches the paper-thin amber leaves. ‘It looks like a Pottery Barn commercial.’

‘I think that’s a compliment on your tablescape,’ Nico murmurs in my ear.

‘I helped fold the napkins,’ Phoebe says proudly, while Mei and Kat make appreciative noises. ‘Lee’s good at making things special, right, Dad? Like her gran.’

‘That’s right, Bee,’ Nico agrees.

‘No Luke?’ I ask, changing the subject.

Kat lifts her shoulder. ‘Mrs Platt called him out to talk about her neighbours’ fence again. She’s convinced it’s a good two inches over the boundary line and she wants them arrested. Poor Luke, he’s going to be there a while.’

I try to picture Mrs Platt and come up with a deceptively sweet-faced old lady.

‘We’ll save him some food,’ Kat says and hunts around for a corkscrew. ‘But let’s order now. I’m borderline hangry.’

‘I can stay up for a bit, can’t I?’ Phoebe turns big eyes on her dad.

‘Only until the food arrives,’ he says firmly and when her expression becomes hopeful he lifts a finger. ‘But you’re not having any! It’s too late and you’ve already eaten.’

‘I’ll save some and hide it in the fridge,’ I whisper, and Phoebe gives me another one of those lightning-fast hugs that make me feel invincible.

Nico pulls out his phone and tries to place his order at the Chinese place while Kat yells, ‘Make sure you get extra dumplings!’ and Phoebe shares her own strong opinions about the correct number of dumplings per person.

Before I can weigh in, my phone buzzes in my pocket.

‘It’s Tara,’ I murmur, surprised, and I glance at Nico who has just finished his own phone call. ‘Isn’t it after midnight back home?’

‘Get it,’ Nico says, but I’ve already answered.

‘Tara? What’s wrong? Are you okay?’

‘I think I did something ridiculous,’ my best friend’s breathless voice reaches me. ‘It seemed like a great idea at the time, but you’re going to think I’m insane.’

I dart Nico a quick look and shrug, no idea what’s going on. ‘Never,’ I say firmly. ‘I will never think that. Whatever it is, we can fix it. Did you murder someone? Because I will fly back right now with a shovel.’

Tara laughs. ‘If I did, I don’t think it would be wise for us to discuss it over the phone.’

I laugh as well, some of the tension leaving me. ‘No. I suppose not. So, what’s going on?’

‘Okay, this is the mad bit.’ Tara sounds nervous. ‘Please don’t freak out, but… the call is coming from inside the house.’

‘What do you—’

There’s a knock at the door.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Lee

‘Woah, the delivery driver’s fast tonight,’ Kat says, but I beat her there, swinging the door open, holding my breath.

Because she’s there. Standing right on the doorstep with her phone held up to her ear, and an anxious smile on her face.