I looked up from the fridges, felt my heart shift at the sight of Tom sliding onto his usual stool. Still. It had been weeks, but looking at him still made this happen, made me want to fall into him and never come out. He still made me feel so much. I was being careful, but whenever I saw him, when his eyes found mine and he looked at me, I forgot why I had to be.

‘Hi,’ I said. He seemed tight, tired. ‘Long day?’

‘Yeah.’ He shook his head, smiled. ‘Better now.’

I stood up, gave him a quick kiss over the bar. ‘Good.’

‘How was your night?’

I looked around. The bar was a mess. ‘Busy. Rachel was in here earlier and we had some big corporate dinner. I hope you don’t mind waiting.’

‘It’s okay.’ He smiled again, looser this time. ‘I like watching you work.’

I grinned playfully. ‘You just like me making you drinks,’ I said, turning to the whiskies.

He laughed. ‘It does make you seem nurturing and trustworthy.’

I bit my lip as I found the right bottle. I didn’t feel trustworthy.

‘Ew,’ Nic said, watching us. ‘Holly, the straights are being gross again.’

Holly came around the bar and dropped a fistful of empties into the bin.

‘Let them have this one thing,’ she teased. ‘Look at Caitlin, she’s all giggly and stuff.’

I giggled, as though to prove her point.

Tom watched us, his face brightening. ‘Sorry about them,’ I said, raising my voice enough so they could hear. ‘They’re children.’

‘It’s fine.’ He shook his head. ‘I like you giggly and stuff too.’

Holly looked between us. ‘Nic and I are going to the casino and he thinks you should come,’ she said. ‘Both of you.’

Tom caught my eye, raised an eyebrow in question.

‘Come on,’ Nic said, before I could answer. ‘You haven’t been out with us in weeks.’

I looked at Tom. ‘What do you think? You look tired.’

‘A little.’ He sighed, downing his whisky in one go.

Something bit at me; a niggle, a chill. I brushed a strand of hair off my face and found his eyes. ‘You okay?’

‘Yeah. Just work stuff. I promise.’ He gave Holly a smile. ‘The casino? Really?’

‘It’s classier than it looks,’ she said. ‘I promise.’

He looked at me. God, he was beautiful. I smiled, despite myself. ‘Fine,’ he said. ‘No shots, though.’

‘Oh no,’ she said, feigning innocence. ‘Never. They don’t sell them that late anyway. We drink cocktails, mostly.’

I studied him as she walked away, touched the bar. Still there. ‘Are you sure? We can just go back to yours.’

‘I’m sure, Cait. We can go back to mine afterwards.’

I looked around. ‘If I ever get out of here, that is. Nic’s made a mess back here.’

Tom grinned. ‘I’m sure you can handle it.’

‘Oh—’ I laughed ‘—I can.’