page15 (1/2)

We pause and stare Outside a hips up the snow and aims it at the , but the warmth inside causes it to steam and become a mirror that just shines the inside back at us until there is only the inside

Only us

A winter’s night with a wo

Anything could happen

I feelcorrectly that it’s Fiona

“Fiona’s definitely staying out tonight,” I say, voice husky “She says you’re – quote – et your ass down here and then top-and-tail me as Jess’s house”

“Hue runs over her lips … and then, in my mind, around the tip of my , her eyes wide as they gaze up atfor more “I don’t know if I want to, to be honest I’irl That’sto you about this”

That’s right

Because Fiona’s hter and she’s her best friend and this is all a malformed mess

I’h

“Don’t worry,” I say “This isn’t the first tiives us an opportunity, eh?”

“To do what?” she asks, voice breathy with possibility

To fuck To put our first child inside your womb To claim you and own you and mark you with e world can knoho you belong to

“To drive,” I say

“To drive?” she repeats “Where are we driving to, Saul?”

I smirk “Downstairs”

“What?”Chapter NineSadieI stare in awe as the overhead lights blink on, one by one as though for maximum effect

The base from what must be one side of the estate to the other, the racetrack laid out in a looping circuit that returns to itself via a bridge At the side, the Go-Karts are lined up, painted in similar colors and patterns to Saul’s Formula One cars upstairs

“Now you’re just showing off,” I giggle

He turns tosomehow more primal in his shorts and T-shirt His ht and honed I have to keep re myself not to stare

I remember how he took my hand in the bedroom, just casually reached across and took it And then held it – about ain the contact – and we both just silently agreed not to address it

It’s like we both someho that if ere to address this – whatever this is - than we’d have to address Fiona, and what this means for her

I try to tell