Page 222 of By His Play

Effie: You’re a nightmare.

Effie: When are you free?

Kieran: Right fucking now. Where do you want me?

Effie: After work tomorrow?

Talking in person is dangerous. The last few times we’ve been in the same room, we’ve either ended up shouting at each other or fucking. But I figure if I book us a table somewhere, we’re safe.

Kieran: I’m out of town tomorrow and Wednesday. Thursday?

Effie: I’m busy Thursday.

Kieran: Another date?

Effie: Something like that. Friday?

Kieran: You got it.

Effie: Okay. I’ll book something and let you know.

Kieran: Perfect. Now back to me coming inside you…

Effie: We’re not talking about that.

I shake my head as I put my cell on the counter and begin removing my makeup.

Kieran: I’m sorry I left without a word last night.

My eyes widen as his apology crashes over me.

Kieran: But I need you to know that it was one of the hottest nights of my life.

Fuck. “Me too.”

Effie: And you’ve had a lot of hot nights…

Kieran: None of them stand up to the time I’ve spent with you.

“Oh my god.”

I stare at myself in the mirror, trying to see exactly what he sees.

Without my makeup, my eyes don’t look as big or as bright, and the freckles I’ve always hated over my nose are obvious. My lips aren’t thin, but if you compare them to the perfectly filled ones of the models and actresses he usually spends time with, they don’t stand up. My skin is clear, probably one of my best features. My hair has been scraped back for dancing, but it’s long with a slight curl. It’s not shining and platinum, though. It’s…a kind of dirty blonde that I’m sure many women wouldn’t put up with.

Sure, I’ve always been a little envious of the women he spends time with; they’re all incredibly beautiful. But I’ve never compared myself like this before.

I’ve always been Kieran’s best friend. I didn’t need to compare to them.

I was never going to be the one he was going to take home.

But now…now he’s saying things like that to me and…I don’t know what to think.

Kieran: Stop freaking out.

Effie: I’m not. I’m in the middle of something.

Kieran: Oh?

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