“I think he’d be the same with anyone. It’s obvious there’s something there. I don’t know if he still wants you, but he doesn’t want anyone else to have you. Least of all me.”
I let out a long breath and fiddle with the button on my bag. “I don’t know how to get him back.”
“Let him stew for a while. It won’t hurt him. Maybe he’ll realise what a good thing he’s missing.” Mark glances at me and winks.
“It’s great to see you. Thanks for coming over. It’s been so long since I actually had a date with a guy. Even if…well, it’s still nice to go out.”
He laughs. “Even if it’s not a proper date because you’re not getting laid at the end, you mean.”
I giggle. “You know, at my age, I honestly can’t think of anything worse. Other than Cal and my ex, I haven’t slept with another man in over twenty years and, to be honest, I don’t want to. The thought of getting naked in front of someone new turns my stomach in a bad way.”
Mark glances at me before turning back to the road. “You got naked in front of me last year.”
“That’s different. You were painting me, and I’m pretty certain you weren’t looking at my body in that way.” I cover my mouth as another giggle bursts from my lips.
“You think you’re safe with me because I’m queer?” He flashes a smile. “I can still appreciate a woman’s body and yours is an artist’s dream, especially while you were pregnant. I can’t wait to show you the painting.”
“Have you finished it?”
“Yeah. I’ll bring it next time I’m up this way. You can show it to Cal.” He snorts with laughter.
“If you think he’s pissed now, I hate to think what he’ll do when he finds out I sat for you.”
“You’re right, maybe I’ll keep hold of it for now.”
We pull up at a nice restaurant on the outskirts of town, our usual spot where he took me before.
A server shows us to our table that Mark booked, and we corner the rustic country bar area with traditional wooden beams and a chalkboard on the wall.
Sitting in a cosy nook, the server lights a candle and hands us our menus. “Can I get you anything to drink, sir, madam?”
“Can I have a glass of sparkling water, please?”
“Yeah, I’ll have a shandy, please,” Mark says.
I giggle as the server leaves. “Right pair of lightweights, aren’t we?” I’m breastfeeding, and he’s driving. Not exactly hardcore party animals. I don’t know what Cal thinks we’re going to be getting up to.
“Do you think you and Cal can work things out?” Mark cocks an eyebrow, peering over the large A3 menu.
I slump against the table, resting my chin on the palm of my hand. “He’s so difficult and stubborn. Not to mention annoying and moody.” I stare at the flickering candle in a jam jar.
“But you still love him?” Mark smirks. He knows our history and how Cal would always defend me and I him. The love we have or had for each other was like no love I’ve ever had before or since.
“Why do I though? He’s been a complete arsehole since he got back to the UK. He blames me for everything. Some days I wish he’d piss off back to Sydney, but when he goes I’ll miss him.”
The server returns with our drinks. “Are you ready to order?”
“The beef bourguignon, please,” Mark says, handing the menu back.
“Hmm.” I quickly scan the dishes. “I’ll have the seabass risotto, please.”
“When is he going back to Australia?”
“Next Wednesday. He delayed his flight, but the girls need to get back for school.”
He squishes his eyebrows together, taking a sip of his shandy. “Isn’t it the six weeks summer holidays next week?”
“Not in Australia. They have their summer holidays at Christmas.” I shake my head. “I know it’s weird, isn’t it?”