There are several dusty, half empty bottles; Vodka, Malibu and Blue Curacao just to name a few, my stomach churns at the memories. My days of Fruit Tingles are long gone. Someone clears their throat behind me and I close the cupboard. Louise is standing there, a bottle in hand and three tall glass mugs.

“Irish Coffee?” She winks, handing me a bottle of Baileys with a smirk on her face. Louise is trouble. No wonder Jesse liked her so much.

Carrying the pot of tea and three mugs, I place them on the table, whilst Louise makes sure Marie and I both get our spiked coffee. Sophie gives me a knowing wink, I would have made her one too, but I know she needs to drive home once we get back to the apartment and she already had one too many wines earlier.

Taking in my surroundings, I see Tanner’s eyes are focused on Louise, almost as though he finds her familiar. She doesn’t seem to reciprocate the exchange when their eyes meet, only briefly smiling and moving on. Strange. Make a mental note, Kinsley, that was definitely a little odd. I’ll bring it back up with him later.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Kinsley

Tanner silently follows me into the bathroom. It’s been a long day, the buzz of the alcohol is wearing off and I need to get out of these clothes and into something more comfortable. Reading my mind, he gently begins to unzip my skirt. Wriggling my hips it falls to the floor as he sweeps my hair over my shoulders and I start unbuttoning my blouse.

“I know her.” Tanner exhales heavily.

“Who?” I ask, as he slips my blouse off my shoulders and unclasps my bra.

“Louise; I’ve seen her before. I just can’t place it.”

“As long as you don’t wake me up at 2am when it pops into your head, we’ll be fine.” I try to laugh it off, I don’t think I have any brain capacity left for emotions tonight.

He turns the water on and begins unbuttoning his shirt. “I’m serious, Kinsley. I have a gut feeling that I know her. I haven’t just seen her in passing. It’s not like that.” Running a hand through his hair, he leans against the basin. I step forward, his open shirt revealing the new addition to his tattooed chest. Gently, I place a kiss in its place and he wraps his arms around me. “I know we need to talk, but I need you, Pip.”

The room is steaming up from the running water; I take his hand and walk us backwards towards the shower, quickly stepping out of my underwear. I never stopped needing him.

* * *

“We are still missing one important detail,” Tanner interjects, both Dad and I turning our attention to him. “Who the fuck is George Watson?”