‘Nothing’s going to happen, but it would still be the same answer. Why should it bother me? He’s still Seb. I’m just grateful that he survived and came out the other side of it.’
‘I agree. I have a soft spot for him, being your first client. I still remember how excited you were when you signed him up. Of course, that had nothing to do with you having seen his profile picture on his website…’ Jess arched a perfect brow.
‘It didn’t.’Much. ‘I was just thrilled, and a little scared, that things were starting to happen.’
‘Of course.’ She nodded in a way that suggested she disagreed with the words coming from both our mouths.
‘Whatever. Do you want me to help you with this tomorrow or not?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then I suggest you stop giving me grief about my love life.’
‘Or lack thereof.’
‘Which is just the way I like it. I have Humphrey and that’s all the men I need in my life right now.’
‘Humphrey is wonderful, of course.’ At this, my little mutt woke up, basked for a moment in the praise, and then went straight back to sleep. ‘But I just worry about you. Especially once I move.’
‘You won’t be that far away.’
‘I won’t be round the corner any more.’
‘Jess, I’m fine. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.’
She flung her arms out. ‘I never want to get rid of you. I’m just worried you will hibernate even more without me living on top of you.’
‘Hibernation is very underrated, I find.’
‘This is not helping my concern.’
‘Oh, will you stop worrying? I’m fine. You’re supposed to be getting excited about this new step in your own life, not fretting about me.’
‘So, go out with Seb and I won’t.’
‘Jess, he lives two hours away. It’s not even practical. And that’s without the small point of the fact he’s never even hinted that he’d be interested. We’re just friends, and right now, that’s actually really good for me. We get on really well but I honestly don’t think we’d be all that compatible as anything more.’
‘What makes you say that?’ Jess asked, topping up my wine.
‘You know what he’s like. He’s missing part of a leg and he can, quite literally, still run rings around me when it comes to fitness and stuff like that.’
Jess paused, thoughtful for a moment. ‘You do have an affinity for your pyjamas, I will give you that. But you’re not entirely potato.’
‘Always good to hear.’
‘And you’re out every day now with Humphs.’
‘That’s true. It’s not been that long since I got him, although I can hardly remember how I got by without him in my life—’
‘We’re still talking about the dog, right?’
‘Yes. We are.’
‘OK. Just checking.’
‘Harry is aware how you’re like a dog with a bone sometimes, and how entirely annoying it is, right?’
‘Oh yeah. Absolutely.’
