He has a fair point, it does look ridiculous. “Fine, why don’t you go order us a pizza? I will wash this off and then I can whip your ass in Monopoly whilst you bring me up to speed on the gossip I clearly missed.”

“That’s my girl!” he whoops and hollers, bouncing his way out of the bathroom and I hear a pitter patter of paws running up the hall. “Let’s go Lou! Pizza time!”

How a woman will ever pin him down is beyond me. I will personally congratulate whoever does; this boy is a handful. He talks to the dog the same way I talk to myself. I wonder which one is more crazy? Take your pick, Kinsley. Hmm, actually maybe a dog would be nice. I wonder if Tanner likes dogs? He has always been fine with Lou-loo.

Taking out my phone I send him a message, no time like the present.

Me- Do you like dogs?

Tanner - It depends …

I laugh whilst typing out my response.

Me - Depends on what?

Tanner - The owner

Me - If it was me?

Tanner - Then, yes. I love dogs.

Bubbles pop up again, and I wait to see if he says anything else before I respond.

Tanner - Are we getting a dog?

First he drops the girlfriend bomb on me in front of his sister, and now he is asking if we are getting a dog. A warm blush climbs up my neck and over my cheeks whilst butterflies swarm in my stomach.

Tanner - You’re blushing, Pip.

Note to self, don’t leave Tanner on read. He will continue to message you until you reply. I take a silly selfie, still with my face mask on and press send.

Me - I can’t see any rosy cheeks …

Tanner - Tell Jesse I always knew he had a killer skincare routine, and bring some of that home for me too.

Home, he did it again. These little words and gestures; he probably doesn’t even realise what he is doing. I am most likely just overthinking again, but he’s breaking through the barriers I have always had so firmly in place. I respond with a laughing emoji and a heart.

Patting my face dry with a towel, Jesse’s words from Friday night ring in my ears, ‘I don’t think he would run, Kins. I really do think you could tell him.’ God, I wish that were true. Even if it were, can I really tempt fate by finding out? If Kyle and Jesse were right, if these guys are intertwined deeper into my family than I thought, I need to keep Tanner as far away as possible.