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“Have you told your mum and dad about Luke, yet?” Avery turned to me. We were sitting in a small beauty salon, reclining while two therapists painted our toenails—mine a hot coral colour, and Avery’s a bright turquoise.
“No, but my brother let it slip, and I got a bit of an upset phone call from my mum. I wasn’t planning to tell them unless we actually became boyfriend and girlfriend, but Sam had to open his big mouth.”
Avery made a sympathetic face. “I hope it wasn’t too awkward.”
“No, she was okay in the end. I just told her that we were ‘casually’ dating, and I hadn’t wanted to say anything in case it fizzled out. To be honest, it’s not like I tell her when I’m seeing people. My parents live too far away to be that up to date with my life, and I doubt they want to hear the details of all my casual relationships.” I shrugged, idly flicking through the magazine that the therapist had given to me.
“Ooh, look. ‘How to double your days off work.’” I pointed at the headline. Pulling out my phone, I snapped a picture of the article and sent it to Eddie. “Sorry, going back to Luke. He’s been clear that we’re keeping things casual—friends—” I moved my head closer to Avery’s and lowered my voice. “—with the sex part, but we’ve shared so much with each other. I’ve spoken to him about stuff that I’ve only ever told you. I’m closer to him than I’ve been to any of my past boyfriends. To anyone, in fact. Other than you.”
I gathered my thoughts. “I guess it’s getting pretty serious as far as my feelings for him go, but it’s only been five weeks since we kissed for the first time. And we haven’t had any discussions about moving on from our arrangement. There’s no rush to work things out. That’s what I keep telling myself, anyway.”
“True. Although as an outsider, I’d like to point out that he has strong feelings for you, too. I can see it. At this point, it’s clear to anyone with eyes that the two of you are way more than just friends with benefits, even if he won’t admit it. He’s changed. He’s…softer. And when you’re in the same place, everything else seems to cease to exist. His whole focus is on you.”
“He has changed. I’m sure some of it is because he doesn’t have the stress of me going up against him at work. Even so, I know he finds it hard to admit it to himself, let alone to me. He’ll come around eventually though. He’s worth everything.” Wiggling my freshly painted toes contentedly, I smiled, thinking of Luke. “Honestly, Aves, I’ve never been so happy.”
How could I have ever thought I hated him? That stage of our relationship seemed like eons ago.
Avery squeezed my hand. “Well, I’m happy you’re happy. I’m happy for you both. So, so happy.”
We stared at one another, then both dissolved into giggles.
“How many times did you just say ‘happy’?” I shook my head, grinning.
“I’m happy to say it a few more times, if you like?”
“Nah, you’re alright. I think I’ve heard that word enough now.”
Sitting in a tiny, cramped coffee shop a few hours later, bags piled around my feet, I checked my phone while I waited for Avery to place her order. Luke’s handsome face smiled up at me from my screen background, setting off butterflies in my stomach. As if I’d conjured him up, a message appeared.
Luke: Hi. Saw you were online. Having fun?
Me: Yeah. Miss you though! And your magical dick LOL.
Luke: Hahaha *crying laughing emoji* Glad to hear it.
Me: What you up to?
Luke: Just got back from the gym. Got that games night at Alex’s later.
Me: Oh yeah. Have fun!
Luke: Sleepover at mine tomorrow?
Me: *heart eyes emoji* Do you even need to ask?
Luke: See you tomorrow x
Me: xx
“What’s that look for?” Avery stared at me, an enquiring expression on her face.
“Nothing. Just messaging Luke.” I placed my phone down, giving her my full attention. “But enough about me. Want to catch me up on your life?”
Avery sipped her tea thoughtfully. “Well, let me see. Ethan’s been dropping hints about marriage—”
“Aves! This is huge! Do you think he’s going to propose?” I beamed at her.
“Well, if you’d let me finish speaking,” she laughed, and I mouthed sorry, “I was going to say that he’s been dropping hints for a few weeks now. Nothing obvious. But there have been lots of little things, like choosing wedding-related films to watch on our movie nights.” She began ticking off on her fingers. “So far he’s chosen The Proposal, The Wedding Singer, I Love You, Man, My Big Fat Greek Wedding…well, you get the general idea. Then, the other day, we went for drinks in a gorgeous hotel bar.” She paused, her brow furrowed. “I can’t remember the name of the hotel now, but it was in Kensington somewhere. Anyway, he casually happened to mention that the hotel did weddings, and did I prefer the idea of weddings in city hotels, or somewhere like the country manor where his sister got married.”
