I froze, needing a second to process the words, the voice. When I turned my head, Dex was leaning against the wall, watching me. I frowned, looked away. ‘Yeah, right.’

‘I’m serious. It’s a good one. Did it hurt? It looks like it would have hurt.’

‘Get fucked.’ I put my free hand up to my neck. I’d only noticed it in the staffroom at the start of my shift, peeking over the top of my collar. It made me feel sordid, like a horny teenager, but something else as well. Touching it had set off a memory that made me whimper.

‘Gladly.’ He flicked ash onto the ground. ‘Seeing as you did, I guess I have permission now?’

I didn’t answer.

His face broke into a smile. ‘Kidding, Nona. It’s about time, frankly. I just didn’t expect you to be so obvious about it.’

‘Sorry.’ I wasn’t.

‘Don’t be.’ He smirked. ‘I don’t care.’

I ignored him, pulled my phone out of my pocket. The light blinked and I unlocked it.

I’m standing in the hospital shop wondering if I should buy you flowers or if you’re more of a chocolates girl.

I laughed softly.

Chocolates, definitely.

My phone beeped straight away.

Too late. They’re closed now. You’ll have to cope with a blue elephant that says ‘It’s a boy!’ when you press its belly. I’ll see you soon?

I’m counting down.

‘Ohhh,’ Dex drawled, pretending to come to a realisation. ‘You finally nailed that doctor guy. Nic will be thrilled.’

I rolled my eyes.

‘No, really,’ he said, pushing off the wall and dropping his butt onto the ground carelessly. ‘Well done. I wouldn’t have thought he was your type, but what do I know?’

My phone buzzed in my hand.

Leaving work now. Can’t wait to see you.

‘Not a lot,’ I looked at him. He looked so small and pathetic I almost pitied him.

Me too.

Dex just shook his head and went back inside.

I finished my cigarette and followed.

Tom wasn’t joking about the elephant.

He slid onto his usual stool and sat it on the bar in front of him and my breath caught in the same way it had that morning, harder maybe, like I’d forgotten how brown his eyes were and how warm his smile was and how—

‘Caitlin, fuck,’ Nic said from the register, not noticing Tom, just that I’d stopped cleaning the coffee machine. ‘I have plans tonight, so …’ He looked up. ‘Oh.’

‘Sorry,’ I said, turning on the steamer and then straight away turning it off again. I walked to the end of the bar. It took too long. ‘Hey.’

Tom smiled. ‘You still open?’ he asked, like nothing was happening.

‘For you?’ I tried to keep my voice even. ‘Always.’

‘Caitlin.’ His voice dropped, and the charade fell away. I wanted to jump the bar.

‘Drink?’