Sam’s mouth drops.
‘I can’t have this conversation.’
‘You feel strongly about this, don’t you?’
‘One day, the world will be a lonely place,’ Sam says, ‘because Starbucks ruined it all.’
Silence falls between us, except for our feet crunching on the ground. I imagine a post-apocalyptic world, where only the green tinge of Starbucks’ logo survives. Perhaps zombies would trail around holding Grande lattes asking why their loyalty points no longer got them discounts.
‘You know their logo is a siren?’ I ask, breaking the tension.
‘I do.’
‘Greek mythology.’
‘Right,’ Sam says.
A pause.
‘Where do you think the nearest Starbucks is?’ I ask.
We lock eyes, and both of us burst out laughing.
Chapter Twenty-One
SAM
Day Two
Will gasps, clutching his phone.
‘What is it?’
He says nothing, his eyes scanning his screen, bringing it closer to his face. I pause, holding my wine glass, surrounded by the noise of bustle. We’re sitting outside a Greek restaurant, waiting for two Caesar salads to arrive.
‘I just got a text from Ollie,’ Will says.
My chest tightens and I drink my wine. ‘Oh?’
‘He asked me what hotel I’m at.’
‘Are you planning to tell him?’
I bite my tongue, anticipating what his response might be.
‘Should I? Tell him that I’m staying at a naked hotel?’
‘It’s up to you.’
‘Maybe he’ll think I’m weird.’ Will places a finger to his lips, tapping them. I try not to stare, but his lips are the perfect shape. ‘ShouldI?’
‘Up to you,’ I reply.
‘I’m aware this is all pretty boring to you.’
Shit. Maybe I should summon enthusiasm for Will to meet his ex again. ‘Boring?’
‘Me and my relationship problems,’ Will says. ‘Not that there is even a relationship to have a problem with. Well, it’s a bit more complex, isn’t it? I don’t know. You don’t need to be roped into it.’
