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“Just fucking great,” I muttered. “Sorry, Aves. Didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“Don’t worry about it. Can I speak to Ethan quickly?”
“Yep. I’ll pass you over now.” I handed my phone to Ethan, and he turned away, speaking quietly.
I downed the rest of my pint and turned to Ethan. “Want another?” I mouthed.
Ethan shook his head, ending the call and sliding my phone back across the table to me. “I’d better get off. Got to meet Avery. Sorry, mate.”
“Right. See you Monday, then.” I slumped back in my seat.
“Luke.” Ethan speared me with a direct gaze. “I want you to know I’m not taking sides in this conflict between you and Olivia. You’re my best mate, so you know I’ve always got your back.” Rubbing a hand over his face, he sighed heavily. “I have to do what I believe is right for Barrett London, though, and please trust me when I say that I think you and Olivia can get over these…” He paused. “Issues that you have with one another, if you put in the effort. If you could dial down the animosity, I believe the working environment will improve, not only for the two of you, but for all staff members.”
He pulled on his coat and stood, staring at me expectantly.
“Okay. I’ll try. I can’t promise anything, though.”
Ethan looked relieved. “That’s all I’m asking.”
3
Olivia
“Evening, gorgeous.” Alex rose to his feet and greeted me with a hug and a quick kiss to my cheek.
“You’re such a charmer.” I laughed, taking the seat opposite him. Alex had texted me the previous night, and we’d arranged to go for drinks at a pretty bar overlooking the Thames. The setting was gorgeous—the bar was all exposed wood, steel beams, and slate flagstone floors, with an outdoor area right by the river where we were currently sitting, full of little bistro tables and fairy lights strung around the edges.
We ordered drinks and fell into an easy conversation, chatting about Alex’s rugby career and my volunteer work at the youth centre. I didn’t feel any kind of spark, despite his obvious good looks, but I was enjoying his company. After a while the conversation turned to Ethan and Avery, and then, inevitably, to Luke. I steeled myself as Alex studied me, curiosity in his eyes.
“What happened between you and Luke? All I know is that he says he dislikes you, and he brings you up in conversation with me and Ethan way more often than you’d imagine, for someone that supposedly can’t stand you. I have my own theories on why that is, but I’d like to hear your side of the story.”
“Are you going to tell me your theories?” I raised a brow at him, intrigued.
“Nope. Not today.” He mimed zipping his lips shut, and I rolled my eyes.
“Okay then. Well. Let me see. I guess we fell out right at the beginning, when I had to work with him and I kind of changed a few things he’d been working on, without asking him. His client preferred the changes I’d made, and that really infuriated him.” I winced, thinking back to that first horrendous week. “Anyway, ever since then, we’ve disagreed on pretty much everything. Ethan keeps us working separately, but I think we’ve got to the point where our animosity has become our default setting with each other.” Lost in thought, I sighed, taking a sip of my drink. “I don’t know if we know how to act any other way around each other anymore. And from what he mentioned to me in the pub on Friday, he seems to think that I float around the office doing my own thing and not listening to anyone else. It’s ridiculous. I work well with my colleagues. We’re a team—we listen to each other. Maybe if Luke paid attention to what was going on around him, he’d realise that, too.” I let out a frustrated huff, then raised my gaze to Alex’s. “Sorry. I guess I must be more bothered by his comments than I thought.”
Alex stared at me, his expression contemplative. “Hmm. This conversation has been very enlightening.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Has it? Well, I’m glad you think so, because all it’s done is put me in a bad mood.” I checked the time on my phone. “I think I’m going to call it a night. I’m sorry to end the evening this way.”
“Hey, it’s okay, babe. Cheer up. You got the pleasure of my undivided attention for the last two hours. Do you know how many women would kill for that opportunity?” He grinned at me.
“Hundreds, I’m sure.” My tone was dry, but I couldn’t help smiling. “Thanks for a great evening, other than the part where we mentioned Luke. I don’t think we have any kind of romantic connection, but I feel like you and me could be friends.”
“You’re putting me in the friendzone?” He pulled a mock-sad face, placing his hand over his heart dramatically. “You wound me. I guess I’ll take what I can get.” He held out a hand for me to shake. “Friends it is.”
Pulling my keys out of my bag, I let myself into my Victorian terraced flat and kicked off my heels with a sigh of relief. I headed into the kitchen and raided my ancient fridge, pulling out a bottle of Pinot Grigio with two-thirds remaining. A rummage in the cupboard resulted in the discovery of an unopened bag of tortilla chips that I’d forgotten all about, and I collapsed onto the sofa, glass of wine in hand. Scrolling through Netflix, I settled on Peaky Blinders and sat back and curled up under a blanket to lose myself in the drama.
After the first episode had ended, I sent Avery a quick message.
Me: Back from my date with Alex. He was great company, but friends only.
She replied a few minutes later.
Avery: Probably for the best. Did you have a kiss or anything though?
Me: Uh. NO. I didn’t like him in that way.
