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She sighed. “There’s no changing your mind, is there?”
I wrapped her up in a hug. “Not a chance, but thank you for caring. Love you.”
“Love you, too. Text me when you get home, okay?” She stepped back and I nodded.
“Will do.”
I’d just run myself a bath when a text came through from Avery. I’d messaged her to let her know I was home safely, and she’d replied, but I hadn’t been expecting to hear from her again. Wiping my steamy phone screen, I stepped into the bath and placed my phone carefully on the wooden bath caddy shelf that sat above the water. I’d managed to drown my last phone, and my current phone was supposed to be waterproof, but I wasn’t about to take any risks.
Avery: You sure you’re OK? I feel awful about earlier. I didn’t know Luke was going to turn up.
Me: Aves it’s fine. They’re entitled to drink in a public establishment. I don’t have a problem with it, honest.
I stopped to wipe my phone screen, which was steaming up again.
Me: I like Ashley. She’s got questionable taste in men, haha, but she’s a nice girl.
Avery: Remember you’re talking to your BFF. We don’t lie to each other.
Me: I’m not lying. Promise.
Avery: OK. Change of subject. Let’s make plans for the weekend!
Me: Yes! I’m in the bath at the mo. Want me to call you after?
Avery: Going to bed in a few mins. Call me tomorrow for a proper catch up and we’ll sort it out? x
Me: OK, speak tomorrow x
Lying back in the bath with a sigh, I let the soothing scent of the lavender and chamomile bubbles swirl around me. The whole episode in the pub with Luke seemed like a weird dream. My plan was to try to forget it had ever happened; instead I’d do what I’d mentioned to Avery—be nice to Luke and treat him like I’d treat anyone else. We couldn’t go on like this, and I doubted he’d be the first to offer an olive branch. Determined, I set an early alarm on my phone so that I could put my plan into action.
7
Olivia
I arrived at work bright and early the next day, determined to put everything behind me. I was going to follow Avery’s example—be nice to everyone and work my hardest. Okay, I did work hard, and I was nice to everyone, other than Luke. But now? Now, I was going to make an effort with him, too.
Balancing my tin of homemade cookies on one arm, I swung the office door open. Phew. I was the first to arrive. I walked into the kitchenette to deposit my baked goods, stuck a Post-it to the tin which said HELP YOURSELVES!, and popped a pod into the coffee machine. I grabbed my favourite mug, one that proclaimed “Better Latte Than Never,” and placed it underneath the nozzle. The smell of brewing coffee permeated my nostrils, and I sighed in happiness. Fresh coffee had to be one of the nicest scents in the world.
I headed back into the office, steaming coffee in hand.
Oh. Luke had arrived. Right. Time to put my “be nice to Luke Davenport” plan into action. He hadn’t seen me yet, busy fiddling around with his computer.
I walked over and stood behind him.
“Hi,” I said brightly.
He let out a shriek, that, to my ears, was rather girly, spinning round in his chair and holding his hand over his heart.
“Payne,” he groaned when he saw me. “Why are you sneaking up on me like that?”
“Sorry,” I said, in the same bright tone. “Just wanted to say hello.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “What are you up to?” Suspicion coated his words as he eyed me.
“Nothing. Nothing at all.” I took up what I hoped was a casual position, leaning against his desk and crossing my ankles. His gaze darted to my legs, and he licked his lips, unconsciously.
“Um, so, how was your date with Ash?” I blurted out, using air quotes around the word “date” for some inane reason.
