“I guess.”
“I know. It doesn’t really help, does it?”
“Not really. It’s like there are three options and maybe one ends without me having my heart ripped out.”
“I mean, one out of three isn’t the worst odds in the world.”
“I suppose, but it’s also the option I think is the least likely to happen. Or has the lowest chance of success,” I said, my eyes prickling uncomfortably. I wiped them with the back of my hand and took a deep breath. “Sorry, I don’t think you expected this to happen this morning.”
“Don’t worry about it. Please,” he said. “You helped me enough with Jonathan.”
“I thought you came to your senses because you were threatened by Jonathan’s gay parents?” I asked with a tiny smile.
“Yes, well, you’d get your head out of your arse too if you were shaken down by the local mob. Embroidered bunnies have never looked so terrifying.”
I chuckled. “Do you have any on hand? Maybe that would help.”
“No, but I could ask Theo to come and talk to you,” Alfie said wryly. “I’m not sure you’ll like the outcome though.”
“Can he talk to Owen instead?” I asked.
“At this rate I’ll get him to talk to both of you.” He squeezed my hand again. “I know this sucks, but unfortunately, I think you’re going to have to be honest with him. And it will be uncomfortable and probably quite painful because being vulnerable always is. But it’s necessary if you want that one third which ends in success to have a hope of coming true.”
“This sucks.” I’d known he was going to say it, because I already knew it was something I’d have to do. But that didn’t make it any more appealing.
“I know. But if you want this, you might have to fight for it.”
“What if I don’t want to?”
“Then there’s your answer,” Alfie said quietly. I sighed. I hated the idea this might be a struggle. Why couldn’t something in my life be easy for once?
But I supposed not much in life was simple.
“Thank you,” I said, offering him a small smile. “I appreciate this. You’re the best.”
“No worries.” He grinned. “And my offer to fetch the bunny mob still stands. Just say the word.”
“What are we talking about?” Milo asked, bursting in through the kitchen door. “Who’s got a bunny?”
“Nobody,” I said. I glanced up at the kitchen clock and smiled. “You’re early.”
“Yeah, well, I could sense you two were up to shit without me,” he said as he put his bag down and sauntered over to us. “So, what’re you planning?”
“Nothing,” Alfie said. “Darcy was just telling me about him and Owen.”
Milo tried to look shocked, gasping dramatically and clapping his hands to the side of his face. “What? You and Owen? This is news to me!”
Both of us fixed him with a look, and I raised my eyebrow as an amused smile played across my lips. “Really? You’re going to try that?”
He shrugged. “It was worth a shot.”
“You already knew,” I said. “I was catching Alfie up because he didn’t.”
“Finally,” Milo said. “I’ve been telling you for weeks you shouldn’t leave poor Alfie in the dark. It really wasn’t fair on him.” He clapped Alfie on the shoulder and shook his head sympathetically. Alfie’s poker face was impressive. “I’m so sorry, Alfie. He really should have told you. It’s not on.”
“It’s fine,” Alfie said. “Darcy had his reasons.”
“You’re a prince among men. Very forgiving.” He kissed Alfie’s cheek dramatically and Alfie chuckled fondly.
