Lilies And Smoke

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Late nights

It 's Tuesday and Anita lays there on her sofa content, the house was warm, cosy and quiet. She plays her audio disc and continues to listen to her book from where she last had it. Bill slurping loudly at his water. Anita smiles, he seemed to be more relaxed the past few days since she smashed her mug. Although, he was getting more and more tired, he slept quite a lot throughout the day. Anita sprawls out more, her leg hanging off the side of the sofa. Bill sluggishly walks over towards the sofa and flops on the ground beside her. Anita brushes her fingers through his fur and sighs, listening to his heavy breathing. She felt his chest rise and fall, as she smiles to herself; thankful that the past couple of days have been fine.

I can't believe I've been getting myself so worked up, she internally sighs to herself. She felt guilty for getting Bill all worked up because of her imagination. "I love you Bill" Anita whispers, stroking his fur. Anita sits up, "shit" she curses to herself. She forgot her mother was supposed to ring her at some point this week, Anita shakes her head annoyed with herself for being so careless with her phone. She rubs the back of her neck and lets out a deep breath.

Knock-knock-knock.

Anita jumps, placing her hand over her heart as it beats rapidly at the noise. She pushes herself off the sofa and carefully walks around the coffee table and turns off her stereo. She heads towards the front door and runs her hand along its side until she finds the cool handle and opens the door, "hello?".

"Hi" a deep husky voice greets. Anita smiles broadly, "sorry, I don't seem to recognise your voice. Jack isn't it?" she teases. Alex smacks his hand over his chest, "ouch, you hurt me good. I seem to recall it's Tuesday and I owe you another date". Anita raises her eyebrow, "oh, it's a date you owe me? I seem to remember it as a phone call". Alex chortles, "Oh yeah, pretty hard for me to call someone with no phone. Besides..." he stretches out, giving her a twirl. Anita listens to him spin around like an idiot, "I'm doing a house call". Anita laughs, "you're a funny one you are... so are you going to come in or show off your spinning skills?". Anita listens to him as he slowly walks into her house, taking in her appearance, "and you look as lovely as ever" he purrs.

"And you sound as charming as ever" Anita flirts back. Alex looks around the room and his eyes land on Bill, "how is Bill doing?". Anita closes the front door and turns around, "he's been quite the past couple of days, not a peep out of him". Alex walks towards the sofa and sits down, "at least he's a lot quieter now, you said he was getting worked up?". Anita nods, making her way towards the sofa, "yeah... your friend said there's nothing wrong with him though, he seems pretty healthy". Alex strokes Bill's head, "he's a good dog, it's probably his age". Anita sits down on the sofa, "I wouldn't have thought so, he's only eight years old. He still acts like a puppy from time to time though".

"How have you been doing?" he asks casually, trying not to look at her as he strokes Bill.

"I've been doing alright, the past few days have been quiet... Janice came around last weekend and we had a takeaway and a drink or two".

"That sounds nice, how is she doing?".

"As well as always, she's just as sparky as always. How have you been?".

"Rough couple of days... family issues and such, but other than that work has been fine and I'm much better now I'm here with you" the corner of his lip hitches up into a half smile.

"Smooth, very smooth" she taunts, nudging him. Alex leans back on the sofa and gazes at her, the cut on her head didn't look as bad anymore but he looks in concern at her bruises on her arm. Not wanting to bring attention to an already sore subject he asks, "do you have any plans this week?". Anita moves in a little closer towards Alex, "well..." she says, shifting to face his direction. "I'm going out with Janice and an old friend called Mark from college, we might go to that new cocktail bar that's opened up". Alex raises his brows, "that sounds fun, I don't have to worry about this Mark stealing my date, do I?".