Page 43 of Asking For a Friend

I know Kate will be over as soon as the queue goes down, but this time, I don’t want to share. I scoop up everything and shove it carelessly into my bag. As I open the door, Kate calls after me, but I ignore her. A few minutes later, my phone vibrates in my pocket, but I let it go to voicemail.

God, it’s freezing. Maybe I should go on a holiday somewhere warm, but it wouldn’t be any fun by myself. I bet Hesketh looks hot in just a pair of Speedos. His broad chest and tapered waist are the reason those tight trunks exist. I push the image away. I need time to think through what to do. I need to think like one of my characters. What would they do in this situation? I snort. My reviews would probably be full of comments about dithering, that a ping-pong ball has fewer bounces back and forth than the two MCs. Shit or get off the pot is another valid point.

As it starts to rain, I pick up speed. The weather forecast says there’s snow on the way. The bookies have put up the odds for a white Christmas. Not that it will affect me. I’ll be on my own. But I’m planning to use the two days as rest days and catch up on my mile-long TBR list. One thing I’m sure of is that my mother won’t be bothering me.

I close the door behind me, hang my wet coat up, kick off my boots, and pad through to the living room. Flanaghan opens one eye as if questioning my early return and how I dare to disrupt his daytime snooze. With a slow derisive blink, he closes it again. It seems I’ve been told to keep away. Ungrateful little beast.

“Yeah, yeah, you’ll be singing a different tune come dinner time.”

Moments later, I’ve got my notes spread around me and my laptop open. The characters are cute and about to share the news of their engagement with their best friends. But I’m not in the right frame of mind to make romantic gestures, and I close the document down and open a fresh page. I consider all the reasons why I should contact Hesketh, how to contact him, and the pros and cons of a relationship.

I stare at the empty page for a long, long time. He started it with gifts, super sweet ones that were well thought out, so flowers are out, far too obvious. They don’t take any thought other than looking at photos of the bouquets. It’s too late to do the twelve days of Christmas. Besides, after all the parties he’s had to plan, I doubt he’s in the mood for Christmas.

Why is this so difficult?

Because it matters. Fuck, fuck, fuck!

I flop back against the sofa, closing my eyes to shut out the world. My phone buzzes again.

“What?”

“Lando, what the hell is going on? You just upped and left. Who was that guy, and what did he want?” Kate’s shrill voice grates on my already frayed nerves.

“He’s Hesketh’s best friend. Apparently, I need to stop being so stubborn and get my head out of my arse and contact him.”

“Oh! I like him now. I’ve been telling you that for ages. What are you going to do?”

“I have no idea. What can I do to catch his attention?”

She’s quiet for a while. “Why do you have to do anything special? What’s wrong with going to see him and telling him the truth? It doesn’t have to be a game. Think John Cusack—go boombox.

“I’m not standing in the pouring rain and declaring I love him.”

“No, but you can be honest with him. And it’s true that you’ve been stubborn. You’re so used to being alone, to not giving a fuck that you’ve forgotten how nice it is to have someone.”

In that instant, I know what I want to do, and John Cusack, eat your heart out. But how can I make it happen? I’m not going to stand outside his office. But another idea comes to me. I’m going to need Ellis to help me plan it.

“I’ve got to go. I need to call someone.”

“That someone had better be tall, dark, and handsome.”

Does Ellis fit that description? “Catch you later, Kate.”

With my phone still in my hand, I dig into my pocket and pull out the card Ellis has given me. I tap out his number.

“Ellis Leighton.”

“Ellis, it’s Lando.” The whoosh of movement and a muted conversation come over the line. Then he’s back again.

“Sorry about that. I had to get out of the office. What’s your plan?”

“You sound sure I have one. I may be calling to say I’m not interested.”

“You wouldn’t have called for that. So spill. Or better yet, can you come to mine tonight? Sophie will so want to be a part of this.”

“Um, yeah, okay. Send me your address and a time.” I say goodbye, then flop back on the sofa and drag my hand over my face. What the hell have I just done?

Within a minute of being at Ellis’s house, I feel at ease. Sophie is as lovely as Hesketh said, and after handing me a cup of herbal tea, she sits down next to me.

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