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“Marr. Sweetheart. Someone’s calling you.” I shake her gently.
“Huh?” She rubs her eyes before looking around.
I point to her phone ringing on the table near the glass door.
She rises, taking the sheets away with her and leaving me buck naked on the bed. But by the time she reaches her phone, the ringing stops.
“It’s Kristy. Let me call her back.”
I get up and put on my sweatpants, which were lying on the floor.
“Hello, Kristy. Are you all right? Oh my god! What happened?”
I am beside her in two steps, hearing the worry in her voice.
“Kristy, where are you?” Marr bites her lips, concentrating on Kristy’s words. “We’re coming.” She looks at me and I nod. “What are you saying? It’s no problem. We’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
“All okay?” I ask, grabbing her hands in mine as she looks around in worry.
“I don’t know. She was crying. She just told me Charlie’s hurt.” I can see confusion etched on her face.
“Charlie? Oscar’s son?”
“Yes. I don’t understand either. But she’s home and we need to go, Zander.” Her voice holds a touch of guilt and worry for her friend.
“Of course. Get ready. We’ll leave immediately.”
Marr takes a shower while I hurriedly pack my overnight bag. I’m not sure what’s waiting for us at her home.
As I put on my jacket, Marr is back, dressed in yesterday’s clothes, which were washed by the hotel staff this morning. She walks closer to me and pats my tie.
“Apart from yesterday, I have never… seen you in anything but suits.”
“You don’t like me in suits?” I ask. I know I’m good-looking, and so do the various page-three reporters who mention my looks more than our company in their social media.
“You know you’re handsome, Zander. Don’t fish for compliments. It was just an observation.” She smiles.
“Okay, you got me. But seriously, would you prefer if I put on something casual when I’m with you?”
“No, definitely not. I like your CEO look,” she says, hanging her arms around my neck. But her smile vanishes when she remembers her best friend. “Let’s go. Kristy is waiting for us.”
Marr remains quiet throughout the ride and jumps out of the car even before I’ve properly parked on her street. I walk in long strides and meet her at the door as she inserts her key into the lock.
“Kristy?”
“I’m here, Rosie.” This heavy, croaky voice Kristy has is unfamiliar to me.
We both enter the living room and find Kristy sitting on the couch by the window. White crumbled tissues flood the floor. Marr steps further into the room and jumps on the couch beside her friend, while I stay rooted at the door.
“What happened?” she asks softly, and Kristy opens her watery eyes.
I never imagined Kristy like this—heartbroken.
“Kristy, do you need anything?” I ask, unsure how to help her.
“I’m sorry, Zander, that you have to see me like this.” She wipes her face with her hands before glancing in my direction.
“What are you talking about? You’re having a bad day; we’ve all been there.” I look at her and Marr, who gives me a weak smile. “If you like, I can make you both some tea or get some lunch?”
