“Not as well as other things.”
“When one can’t have other things, she has to rely on what she has available.”
He cocks his head. “She hasn’t had anything else to rely on?”
I hold his gaze. “Not in a good eight months.”
My reward for this conversation comes when his nostrils flare and his voice deepens. “She needs a refresher course.”
The elevator reaches our destination and the doors open. Saving me.
He places his hand on my back and guides me towards the restaurant. Ten minutes later, I’m sitting across from him for the second time today.
The waiter places a vodka in front of me and a whisky in front of Luke. I reach for mine straight away and take a gulp. “What time is everyone arriving tomorrow?”
“Around lunchtime. Do you have any plans for the morning?”
“No. You?”
He shakes his head. “The beach looks like a good option.”
“I’m thinking a sleep in at least.”
“How was your flight?”
“Long. And I was sandwiched between two huge guys. I’m all for arm porn, but not on a long flight. I need my space.”
One of his hands is resting on the table, and it clenches as I say that, before reaching for his whisky. He throws some back. “Tell me about the last eight months. What have you been up to?”
“Pretty much just work and writing.”
“What do you do in your spare time?”
Clearly not guys.
“Not much really. I’ve gone out a little bit, seen some sights and met a few people, but mostly I’ve been writing heaps. I’ve almost finished writing two books. How about you?”
“Work and Sean keep me busy.”
I want to desperately ask him if he’s been seeing anyone. Avery’s told me he hasn’t, but maybe she just doesn’t know. I don’t ask him. Instead, I say, “Your mum sounds really happy. I love that.”
“I think this guy might actually last the distance.”
“Why?”
“Because he doesn’t put up with too much of her shit. He’s pulled her into line.”
I purse my lips. “See, why do you say it like that?”
“Like what?”
“When you say he’s pulled her into line, it insinuates she needed someone to do that for her. I don’t see her that way.”
“How do you see her, Callie?”
“I know your mum let you down when you were growing up, and she’s admitted that to me also. But I see her trying. And I absolutely adore her love for life and for love. She’s just trying to find someone to love her unconditionally, Luke. So what if she’s a little unconventional in her approach? Why does she need to be pulled into any kind of line?”
He thinks about what I say, but in the end, I don’t convince him. “I don’t understand her need for constant male attention. I never have. But George seems to be a man who does understand it. He humours her.”