Page 127 of Even Ground

“OE?”

She braces herself as she leans back. “Overseas experience. It’s supposedly some rite of passage for a lot of people.”

“You didn’t go?”

Pania shakes her head. “I got a job, but my mum still had a mortgage to pay, and all she had was me. Delaney saved her arse off, and then when she came back, her mum kicked her out, so she came to live with us.”

“That’s why you’re so close.”

She nods. “We went through everything together.”

“You must miss her terribly.”

Pania blinks rapidly and blows out a breath. “It’s not easy. What you said about Josh being family, that’s me and Delaney.”

I pause, just looking at her. Her head’s slightly down, and I can’t see her eyes. “Come back with me.”

Her head shoots up. “I can’t. You know I can’t.”

“I’m never going home, then.”

Pania leans against me, her head on my shoulder. “Suits me. I’ll keep you in my tiny flat while I’m studying.”

“Works for me.”

She lifts her head. “You mean that, don’t you?”

I lean over and kiss her softly on the lips. “You’ve given me more in the past few days than I ever thought possible. You love me back, and I already feel as if I’m a part of the family. I don’t know if I want to leave.”

“Then don’t.”

I let out a long sigh. “Wish I could. But like you, I have obligations.”

“Think you can wait another few months for me?”

I shrug. “I’m not fussed.”

She slaps my arm, and I grab hold of her, pulling her over onto my lap. Pania wraps her arms around my neck.

“Of course I’ll wait. I love you.”

Her lips twitch. “I love you too.”

“When’s your next holiday?”

“October.”

I grimace. “That far away?”

She pecks my cheek. “Ten weeks.”

I sigh. “It’ll be back to Skype in the meantime.”

“Phone sex? Video sex?”

Pania snorts. “There’s no way that’s happening. The video one anyway.”

“Still up for phone sex?”