"Oh, my god. This was a mistake.” Jamie quips.
"Relax. I’m happy you took his virginity. Nobody wanted it anyway. About the dowry though, he’s worth a lot to me."
“Blake, you can’t just sell me to the highest bidder.” I say. “Right, Jamie? Unless—wait, what are your assets like?”
"No, not doing this." Jamie turns around. "We're leaving."
"Sit down," Blake says. Completely smooth. "I'm kidding, I’m kidding. Mostly." He looks at Jamie. "You want coffee?"
Jamie blinks. "Sure."
"He wants coffee," I say. "That's it. No more talking. Shut yourfucking mouth, Blake."
"He can speak for himself."
"He really can't right now, he's in shock."
"I'm fine," Jamie says, between us.
"You're not fine, you’re in shock, so be quiet."
Blake hands him a coffee and Jamie takes it. They hold the look with the energy of two people who are going to understand each other perfectly somehow and I'm going to hate it.
"Thank you," Jamie says.
"Mm." Blake leans back against the counter. "You know, Rhys talks about you constantly."
"Blake—"
"No, not like that."
"Then like what?"
"Like he’s obsessed with you.”
I’ll finally kill him today.
Jamie looks at me with an expression that is half flattered and half suspicious. "Wow. And here I thought you hated me."
"Don't let it go to your head." I drop onto the couch. "Blake, come hang out with us today."
"No."
"Blake."
"I have work."
"It's Sunday."
"Chemistry doesn't care what day it is. You’re just irresponsible." He turns back to his laptop. "Go away." I try to move Blake toward the couch. Blake does not move. Blake has the density of a piece of load bearing wall. I get maybe two steps of progress before he simply — redirects me, walks me backward until my legs hit the couch, and plops me down. He just returnsto the kitchen and opens the laptop again.
"No," he says.
I look at Jamie.
"You could've helped," I say.
"You were doing great."
