Page 80 of Boy Friends

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With my thumb I trace the arc of his eyebrow, then I sink my hand into the waves of his hair. It’s warm and soft beneath my touch.

‘No. Now it’s just fact.’

CHAPTER 28 – SIMO’S NOTEBOOK

how to drink themoon

I kiss him

set my lips to his.

I drink him the way I drink moonlight

cup my hands

fill the mould with water

lift it to my mouth

take gulp after gulp of the silver light

that flits across the surface.

I drink until there’s nothing left

I lick each finger

I

cup my hands

and fill the mould with water.

SUMMER

EPILOGUE

When the bell above the door announces my arrival at the cafe, Dad’s head whips around. He looks guilty, like I caught him doing something illegal, but he’s only sharing a coffee with Daniel.

‘Hey, Luca,’ Daniel says, his voice warm. I don’t know what it is with that man, but he’s always zen, like nothing in the world can stress him.

‘Good date?’ Dad asks, and waggles his eyebrows. I texted him last night that Simo and I would make use of the empty manor and avoid the May Day beach party. It would have felt rude not to put my grandparents’ house key to use.

‘I could ask you the same thing,’ I retort.

‘This is not . . .’ Dad huffs and points from him to Daniel. ‘We’re not on a date.’

They look pretty cosy though, sat so close that their knees are definitely touching beneath the table. Also, they’re the only people in the room. Total date vibes.

‘You know, Maz,’ Daniel says as he gets up, ‘if you ever did want to go on a date, just say the word.’ He strolls to the door where I’m still standing and turns back to Dad. ‘You know where to find me.’

Dad watches him leave in a daze, until I clear my throat.

‘Not another word,’ he warns, his head the colour of a warning light.

I feel smug and don’t try to hide it.

‘You still haven’t answered my question,’ Dad points out.

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