“I think I’ve changed my mind about us spending more time together this year, Jake.” I give him my best scowl, but when he mirrors the expression I just end up laughing with him.
“Seriously, Maeve,” he says, his voice softer. “I’m so happy for you. It sounds like they treat you right and I know long distance is going to be hard—”
“A fecking pain in the arse, to be exact,” I say, thinking yet again how it’s been less than a week since I saw Loncey and it already feels like forever. “I hate it so much.”
“I hate it when Rami travels on his own too. I guess that’s why we’re doing this tour together.”
“You’re not helping, Jake.” I give him another pout.
“I’m simply saying you’ll find a way to be together, Maeve. If you both want it enough, it will happen.”
“I want it. I want it a lot. But I also don’t want to leave Dublin this year. Not with what’s happening.” I slide my hand over Jenna’s bump. Her hand lands on top of mine and squeezes.
“She’s going to have the best aunt and uncle.”
“Ew, that makes us sound like a couple,” I cringe as Jake winces in the camera.
“Can you even imagine?” And he pretends to vomit.
“Although our sun signs are very compatible,” I find myself saying. “A Virgo and a Cancer would make one hell of a loyal couple and our house would be spotless.”
Jake arches an eyebrow. “Since when are you interested in horoscopes?”
“Since Loncey,” Jenna answers for me.
“I’m not as bad as they are, but I signed up to this app, and well, I’m just saying it might not be a complete load of bollocks.”
“I have a good feeling about this, Maeve,” Jake says with a big grin. “You and Loncey, I mean. And I couldn’t be happier for you. Just do me one favour?
“What's that?” I ask, trying but failing to hold my own smile back as the love in their words washes over me.
“Don’t get married before Rami and me. That would be so fucking embarrassing.”
“You’re not even engaged,” Jenna tells her brother.
“Don’t remind me!” Jake snaps.
“It’s not going to happen,” I tell Jake reassuringly. “Loncey and I are almost certainly never going to get married. It’s just not for us.”
We haven’t had that conversation but I assume from the way they’re still exploring their feelings towards polyamory, and what they said about having children, that getting married is not something they see as being essential and I am relieved. I’ve never imagined myself married. Possibly because for many years I never imagined being loved enough, but even now, when I think about the future with Loncey, a wedding doesn’t feature anywhere.
“Phew,” Jake says and I can hear his genuine relief.
“Can you never mention to Loncey that you’ve seen their penis?” I lower my voice.
“Does that mean I get to meet them?”
I feel my cheeks heat. “I hope so.”
“I can’t fucking wait! Oh, here comes Rami!”
A few seconds later and Rami’s face is squashed next to Jake’s on the screen. His grey eyes shine as he smiles at me and Jenna and I can see he’s wearing a tartan apron over a black polo-neck jumper.
“Maeve! Jenna! Good to see you!”
“Merry Christmas, Rami,” I say as Jenna blows him a kiss.
“Happy Christmas!” He beams back. “How are you doing, Jenna? Still feeling good?”
