I smile and wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her against my chest. I kiss her neck and say, “You just said our studio apartment.”
“Only because squatter’s rights have presented you with that title.”
“Liar,” I say with a kiss behind her ear before I let her go.
“Wait, is that a balcony? You have a balcony?”
“Two, actually. The second is upstairs off the master bedroom, and I also have rooftop access.”
“You are in so much trouble.” Shaking her head in disbelief, she walks over to the sliding glass door and opens it, letting in the calming sounds of the quiet street. “Unbelievable.”
I join her on the balcony and lean against the stone wall next to her. I hadn’t lived here long before I met Cora, but it’s funny how seeing her in my place makes it feel more like a home.
“This balcony, this spot, was the main reason I chose to rent this place. It’s calm. It reminds me of back home,” I say. “I grew up in a small town, outside of London, far enough from the city, but close enough for Pa to commute. Most of the time, though, he didn’t come home during the workweek, only the weekends. We’d go into the city to meet up with him for dinners, and I always thought it was so selfish, to force my ma to take her four children into the city for him. And it was always chaotic. We always had to . . . share his attention. He frequently left us at the table to catch someone at the bar, and in later years, often took calls on his mobile while we sat waiting for him with Ma. But this place reminds me of the days we stayed home at the cottage, sharing a picnic outside, surrounded by the leaves blowing in the wind. It was peaceful. Ma was always at her happiest in the cottage.”
“Does she still live there? Now that all of you are grown up, I’m assuming, at least.”
“Youngest sister, Cleo, is still at university, but, yes, we’re all out of the house. Killian is the oldest and he’s doing his own entrepreneurial work, while Aggie is happily living a sinful life with her girlfriend, Jade, in Edinburgh. I say ‘sinful’ because that’s what my parents think. Jokes on them though, because she didn’t tell them until her trust fund was activated. Now she’s living her dream, with the love of her life, helping teenagers of the LGBTQ community navigate through the challenges of talking to their family and friends.”
“Wow, I’m sorry to hear about your parents not accepting her, but I’m glad she feels free and happy.”
“Pa, mainly,” I say, turning toward her. “He controls our ma. For a while, I felt bad for her, but her kids are older now. She could leave him, she just chooses to stick to his demanding lifestyle. But Aggie, yeah, she’s fucking happy, and I’m happy for her.”
“So Killian, Aggie, Pike, and then Cleo. Did I get the order correct?”
I nod. “Yup.”
“Does Killian have a family of his own?”
I shake my head. “No. Not too sure he’s interested in that. Although,” I say with a smirk, “I do believe if he was interested in starting something, I know exactly who it would be.”
Cora grows excited. “Ooo, from the look on your face, it seems as if it could be someone he’s not supposed to be with. Hmm, let me guess . . . is it the daughter of a competitor of your pa?”
“No, but I think any one of us would do that just to spite him.”
“Hmmm . . . oh—” Her eyes widen. “Is it Iris? What a scandal that would be.”
“I don’t think that would be a scandal at all, as I think Pa would celebrate the union. I even believe he tried to get Killian to be with Iris at one point, but Killian refused.”
“Seems as if you didn’t have as strong a will.”
“Attempting to win your father’s affections never turns out well. Any more guesses?”
She taps her lips. “Hmm, not an enemy, not a former ex of yours, maybe . . . ooo, maybe a friend of your mom’s?”
“Close,” I answer.
“Really? Uh, oh God, a mistress of your pa’s?”
“Surprisingly, I’m not one hundred percent sure if Pa has ever cheated on Ma. If he has, he’s been discreet. I know, I’m just as shocked as you. I think that’s one of the reasons Ma sticks around.”
“Okay then . . . I give up.”
“I don’t have anything to prove this other than before I left for America, Killian had a party, and I saw quite a few glances from him.”
“Who was he glancing at?” Cora pleads, tugging on my hand. “The suspense is killing me.”