“I know.”
Dylan stood still, staring into her eyes, and for a second Libby wondered if he was going to kiss her again. Then he turned and made his way down the front steps, not looking back.
CHAPTER
33
Libby was woken the following morning by clattering sounds from the kitchen. She’d gone to bed shortly after her guests had left the night before, leaving Simon in Hector’s room with a glass of water and one of Tom’s old T-shirts to sleep in. She’d been hoping that he’d have left before she woke up, but from the sounds coming from downstairs, it didn’t seem like Simon was going anywhere in a hurry. Libby showered and dressed slowly, putting off the moment she had to face him.
When she did eventually head down to the kitchen, she walked in and did a double take. All the mess from last night’s meal had been cleared away, the dishes washed and the surfaces spotless. Simon was over by the mixer, weighing flour into a bowl. He was wearing Rebecca’s silk dressing gown, which barely reached his thighs. When he saw Libby, he did a little shimmy.
“What do you think of my outfit? Sexy, huh?”
“What are you doing?”
“I’m making pancakes. Although I couldn’t find any normal flour in this place, so I’m afraid they’re gluten free, god help us.” He broke eggs into the flour and reached for a measuring jug filled with milk.
Libby crossed her arms. “You need to leave.”
Simon didn’t look up at her. “Look, I’m sorry about behaving like an idiot last night. You know what I’m like when I’ve had a few drinks. I didn’t mean any harm.”
“You were a complete arse.”
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, I’ve got a storming hangover this morning and my head feels like it might explode at any minute. I need food.”
“Why did you come last night?”
He hesitated and then turned toward her. “When I woke up yesterday and realized it was your birthday, I started thinking about all the amazing times we’d had together. Do you remember that time I surprised you with a trip to Paris on the Eurostar? And when we did theStar Warsmarathon in bed and didn’t leave the house all weekend?”
“So what?”
“Well, the memories just made me realize how much I’ve messed everything up with you, especially how I reacted to the pregnancy news. And then I went to the pub for a drink, and somehow I ended up having five pints and then getting on a train to see you.” He added a pinch of salt to the batter with a flick of his wrist.
“Why are you here, Simon?”
“I told you. I got drunk and sad, and I wanted to see you on your—”
“No, I mean, why are you still here now, making pancakes? You’re living with another woman.”
“I know, but it’s all so complicated. I mean, look at you...” He pointed at Libby. “You’re pregnant, withmychild.”
Libby let out a bark of a laugh. “Well, I’m so sorry this is complicated foryou, Simon. What a nightmare it must be foryou.” She opened the fridge, took out some orange juice, andthen slammed the door shut, wishing it would make a more satisfying bang.
Simon shook his head ruefully. “I know I’ve handled this all so badly, Piglet.”
“Don’t call me that,” she snapped.
Simon frowned but carried on. “When you called me the other week, I panicked. Olivia had literally just moved her stuff into my house and there were boxes everywhere. But that’s why I’m here now, because I want to apologize. And I want to try and make it up to you.”
He reached out to touch Libby’s arm and she recoiled. “No! You can’t do this, Simon. You can’t turn up drunk, cook me a pancake, and then expect me to forgive you.”
“I know that. But if you’d let me explain—”
“What is there to explain? You dumped me, made me virtually homeless. Then when I discovered I was pregnant, you told me you wanted nothing to do with me or the baby. That’s all pretty self-explanatory, no?”
“But that’s what I’m trying to say. I was wrong when I said that, Libs. I was freaking out but I didn’t mean it.”
Libby could feel a headache coming on, and she pinched the bridge of her nose. “So whatareyou saying?”