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‘For all his faults, Jasper would’ve never made her the butt of some psychopath’s drama. Put your ex on a leash!’
I go over to see Jack at Tim’s after work.
‘Hey, Caleb, fancy some dinner?’ Em offers at the door.
‘Sorry, can’t stay. I’ll take a beer, though.’ Just a quick one before I tell Ariella that she is the subject of some nefarious gossip. Jack looks surprisingly well for someone who has been crashing on a couch for three days.
‘How are you doing? Where’s Tim?’
‘I’m good. Tim’s running late, and no word from Lou.’
‘Is that good or bad?’
‘I don’t know, but I can’t live on this couch for ever.’
‘Want to stay with Ariella and me for a bit? We can get your stuff.’
‘How is she? I’ve been meaning to apologise for Lou.’
‘Lou can apologise for Lou; if we ever see her again.’
‘We will. Em’s been on the phone with her quite a bit.’
‘Ugh. Anyway, the offer’s there if you want to get away from the kids.’
‘Who would want to get away from my angelic kids?’ Em appears with my beer, smiling. ‘So, tell us. What’s the story with you and Ariella, Caleb?’ she says, getting comfortable.
‘I had a spare room. She found my advert. She pays twenty per cent more rent than I requested.’ Not this again.
‘Caleb, are you blushing?’ Jack laughs.
‘It’s warm in here! Can someone crack a window?’
‘You’re very gentle with her,’ Em continues. ‘The way you speak to her, the way you touch her and smile when you say her name. It’s very sweet. You like her.’
‘Of course I like her. I don’t want to piss her off and lose her rent, do I?’ This is getting irritating.
‘No, as in you have feelings for her.’
‘Shit. Yes!’ Jack sits up, mouth agape.
‘I don’t have feelings for Ariella. Besides, when this idiot and your husband found out a girl moved in, they made me swear not to touch her, because they thought she was some fragile little thing that I’d take advantage of. Turns out she’s a Rottweiler presenting as a teddy bear. You saw her handle Louisa.’
‘“Rottweiler presenting as a teddy bear”!’ Em repeats, laughing. ‘Youdefinitelyhave feelings for her. And you know what, I think she might like you too. She’s affectionate with you and she trusts you. The way she ran her fingers through your hair when Tim took off the dinosaur head was almost…loving.’
Suddenly, I feel everything shift.
‘Men.’ Em stands to leave the room. ‘We have no hope, besides flashing billboards and shouting “Look here!” through a megaphone.’
I immediately follow Em into the kitchen. ‘She’s still in love with her ex-boyfriend,’ I whisper, making sure Jack can’t hear me.
Em smiles so widely her eyes turn into slits. ‘I’m so happy,’ she whispers back. ‘She’s lovely. Don’t fuck it up, Caleb.’
‘Stop being happy. She’swayout of my league. She told you about her ex-boyfriend. I can’t give her all that.’
‘But she left him. She’s looking for something else.’
‘I don’t know, Em. She’s bloody perfect and…I’m me, aren’t I?’ I sigh.
