Page 3 of From London, With Love

“Of course you will, you little hoe.” Smirking, Mia continues, “To finish off, I’ve been listening to the excellence of Tchaikovsky.”

That takes me by such a surprise that I fold in half, tears springing to my eyes as I laugh. I wipe away those that escape down my cheek and look back to see the girls in a similar situation.

“We truly never know what to expect when it comes to you,” I say. I’m still recovering from my outburst as the girls tell me it’s my turn to share. “I’m still bingeing The Bold Type. If the two of you haven’t jumped on that bandwagon yet, I’m not going to be mad, just disappointed.”

“Prepare to be disappointed because we completely forgot about it. Again.” Harper looks at me briefly before lowering her eyes and feigning guilt.

“It’s honestly amazing, and the girls remind me so much of the three of us when we’re together. As per usual, I’m on a Shania kick and absolutelydevouringevery album she’s ever made.”

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved Shania Twain. My grandmother was her self-proclaimed number-one fan while I was growing up, so we’d always have little dance parties when I visited her. We’ve stayed true to Shania over the years, and always celebrate her new album releases with a wine and ‘Shania on Repeat’ night.

“As for books, I’m rereading and annotating Tangled in Tinsel by Queen Trilina and loving every second of it.”

“Oh Lars, you and that bloody book.” Harper shakes her head at me. “Was once not enough? Actually, don’t bother answering becauseclearlyit wasn’t.”

A cheesy grin expands over my face, which I direct right at her. She knows me well enough by now to understand once is never enough. Harper is yet to read this one, but I plan to convince her soon enough.

“May I remind you that Tangled in Tinsel is a holiday classic. By not indulging in this highbrow literature, you are not only doing yourself a disservice, but you are also breaking the hearts of millions around the world.” I cross one leg over the other, clasping my hands around my knee, and let out a small sigh.

Mia says nothing; she doesn’t need to. Appreciation shines through her eyes; smut lover supporting smut lover. God, I love my friends.

“Okay Lara, I understand this book means a lot to you. You don’t need to use the grand speech on me.” Amusement lights up Harper’s face as she continues. “Mark my words, I’ll read your Bible before December ends.”

Cheers erupt through my apartment; Mia and I the only source of the chaos.

“Christmas has come early!” Her promise has a feeling of elation washing over me.

But as I sit watching my friends laugh together, I’m hit with a sudden and unexpected wave of sadness. It’s been six long months since I’ve hugged the two of them, and right now, I’d give almost anything to squeeze them again.?

I have a small but close-knit group of friends here in Brisbane who I love dearly, but recently it’s become more and more prevalent that I’m in a markedly different time of my life than they are.?

My closest friends are several years older than me. One isabout to be married, another is in the midst of building a family home, and the other is preparing to move interstate to follow her dreams. I couldn’t be prouder of the three of them, but my life is a stark contrast to any of theirs.?

I’ve been single for the past two years, agonisingly navigating the sewage waters of online dating. My career prospects are few and far between. The only thing I’ve got going for me is my books, and unfortunately it isn’t an option to marry inanimate objects.

A phone rings on the other side of the screen, dragging me out of my self-pity spiral and back to the present.

“Sorry Lars, I have to take this,” Mia says with a tight smile, glancing up to meet my eyes after checking the Caller ID.

“Everything okay?” I ask Harper once Mia is out of earshot.

“Mostly. Just the ongoing issues with Satan. That was her calling.”

Satan is the girls’ other roommate. I’m sure she has a real name, but I couldn’t tell you what it is. To me, she’s always been Satan. The girls found her on a roommate website earlier in the year when they first moved into their Camden townhouse. She’d listed glowing reviews from supposed previous roommates, but it was obvious early on they were nothing but lies.?

“It baffles me why she won’t move out when she obviously despises living with you guys.” I take another sip from my almost empty glass as Harper continues to sip her coffee.

“Trust me, it baffles us even more.”

As I rise from my couch to grab myself another moscato, Mia reappears through the kitchen entryway, looking several degrees less smiley than she was five minutes ago. I hastily sit back down, not wanting to miss the story behind her expression.

“Well ladies, Harper and I are simultaneously fucked and freed,” she announces as her face re-enters the screen, and she dumps her phone onto the nearby throw cushion.

Harper’s face turns down, the disappointment obvious. “She didn’t.”

“She did indeed. Happy Friday to us.”

“Guys, what am I missing?”

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