Page 69 of Faking With You

She laughs. She laughs in my face, bending at the waist as she works to catch her breath. “You...” She tries to stop her laugh. “You thought that doing something like those idiots was the best way?” She wipes at her tears. “Grayson and I almost didn’t make it, if our ninety days had been up just a few weeks before, I don’t think we would have. Caleb and Bailey had to work through a lot to get where they are. Matt and Zoey were ships passing in the night for so long that they almost completely missed each other. And it took another man being a complete dickhead and idiot for Liv and Josh to get together. None of us are examples to base the start of your relationship on. Yes, we’re all happy now, but it was hard for us to all get where we are, and we all go on our own journey’s, that’s what makes them so magical.”

She sits in one of the chairs at the dining table. “Eliza showed up at my door on Sunday morning a complete disaster. When I opened the door, within seconds she was collapsing in my arms crying. I have never in my life seen her like that. I knew before she told us that she was in love with you. From the way she looked at you, the way she talked about you, and how she seemed more carefree since you started dating. I could also see your love for her the way you tracked her in every room and how you started being more present with everyone else. You can fix this with her, but don’t do it in some way that’s what one of us would do, do something that's wholly you and Liz. What do you know she’d want.”

She looks around the flat, and when she spots something on the side table, she moves towards it, picking up a painted candle holder that Eliza brought over the first time she brought things to leave behind. Hannah runs her finger over it and smiles before placing it back down. “Yeah, you can fix this. I’ll take the blanket to her today and let her know you want to talk.”

I hand her my phone. “Can I get your number in case I need some more help.”

She sighs and takes my phone, putting her number in it and handing it back to me. When I go to reach for it, she pulls it back and says, “Don’t fuck this up.”

“I won’t. I’ll get her back.”

She hands me back the phone and leaves, and I get to work trying to think of a plan.

CHAPTER 52

Eliza

When Hannah came back with none of my stuff except my favourite couch rot blanket I broke down into tears. Not because she didn’t bring my things, but because she said Mac specifically handed it to her and asked that she make sure I get it. He noticed how it was my favourite and how often I used it and knew that it was the one thing I’d want right now, and he’s right.

It was the way Mac learned all of those little things about me that really had me falling for him, and to see them once again put into action was just another reminder that while I may not have him anymore, I still love him.

I still have to figure out how I’m getting the rest of my things, but Hannah said she’d talk to Mac and figure it all out for me. She seemed a bit off, but I don’t have the energy or desire to push to find out more. She helps me load my stuff into her car and drives me home. I want to be away from people and disassociate from my own life for the next few days.

Hannah

Will you meet me at the Clover later?

I look down at myself, curled up on my couch. I’m wearing the same pyjamas I’ve been in for three days, my hair is pulled back in an oily, messy low ponytail, and I smell like I haven’t showered in days, because I haven't. I still have a few days before I have to return to work, and finding the energy to put myself together right now is not high on my list of things I want to do.

Eliza

Not tonight.

Hannah

Please. I want to talk.

Eliza

You can come over.

Hannah

I have a craving for the wings at Clover though. Plllleeeeeaassseee.

Sighing, I drop my hand heavily against the couch. When Hannah pulls out the dragged out please like that, it makes me feel like a bad friend. I let out a deep breath and start thinking about all the things I’d need to do look presentable enough to leave my apartment.

I bend my head and smell myself and decide that I really do need a shower. After five minutes of hyping myself up to find the energy, I slide off the couch and head into the washroom. I take one of the longest showers I’ve had in years. As I massage the shampoo into my hair, I almost break into tears remembering just how softly Mac did this for me after the gala.

I don’t know how long these memories will linger and come out at inconvenient times, but worse, I don’t know how long they’ll affect me like this.

When I finish my shower, I find something simple and comfortable to wear and stare at myself in the mirror. The slight bags under my eyes and the sullen look in my eyes are a reminder of how I’ve been feeling the last few days. I debate putting makeup on but decide against it. I’m only meeting Hannah, and I don’t want to have to scrub it off later.

Eliza

I’m on my way.

Hannah