“Why do you want this job?”
“Daddy dearest cut me off and I need money to fuel my expensive addiction to staying alive?”
“What would you bring to this workplace?”
“Brutal honesty, mean-gay vibes, and IBS jokes.”
“What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
“I have excellent taste in movies. As for weaknesses . . . how long have you got?”
Despite Orlando’s self-imposed granite exterior, once you get to know him, he’s actually a joy to be around. Even if I’m convinced he says horrible things about me when I’m not there.
We bring the boxes down the stairs and across the street, but realise how much easier our lives would be if we brought everything into the foyer first and then took it over the road in one go.
After about an hour into our mission, Abs has to leave to meet Orlando following his interview. Well, he doesn’thaveto leave, but I shoo him away because I see how important this is to him, and I want to spend some time alone with Eggo.
We haven’t seen each other since the awards ceremony last week. I’ve been too busy helping Abs pack, and Eggo’s been moving shit out of Megs and Georgia’s house and getting things ready for his big trip to Newquay.
I haven’t told him about Cornwall yet. Partly because I’m terrified he’s changed his mind, and partly because I can’t seem to find the right moment. But the further I reach out to grasp that moment, the more it seems to edge away. Maybe it’ll never be the right moment.
Or maybe I’m fucking overthinking it as always.
I should tell him right now.
I place a box markedKITCHEN STUFFon the counter, and Eggo drops one withJUST RANDOM BITSto the floor. Thank god Abs isn’t a big reader and there aren’t any boxes withBOOKSwritten on the side.
“Eggs, I need to tell you something.”
“Wasson, Captain?”
I giggle.
Eggo crowds up to me, sandwiching me against the worktop. “You like that.” He kisses my jaw. “Captain.”
An involuntary moan escapes my throat.
“Oh, I am going to have so much fun with this, Cap—”
His text message ringtone sounds and something vibrates against my hip. He’s still smiling as he takes his phone out of hispocket, but as he looks at his screen, his smile drops. Now he’s frowning.
“What the fuck? Why?” he says.
“What is it?” I ask.
He half shows me the screen, and I glimpse an old photo of him and Megan taken at last year’s awards function. “Why is it anybody’s business but our own?” He puffs out a sigh. “Here, I’ll send it to you.”
My phone buzzes and I check the link Eggo’s just sent. It’s a news article on the local sports blog. The headline reads:
“Cents’ lock Finn Eggington splits with long-term girlfriend ahead of off-season break.”
I’m in the background of the picture. Obviously, I’m staring straight at him. Megan’s looking at him too, but Eggo’s smirking at something just out of frame, and the way the photo’s been captured and presented with this story, it almost makes him look guilty. And okay, maybe he is, but his breakup with his ex was amicable.
I skim read the article.
“Sources close to the couple cite irreconcilable differences for the split.”
“Finn has been spotted in Bath with a mysterious blonde.”
