Page 43 of The Layover

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‘That’s not true.’ But my voice wavers a little, and my lungs feel tight as the idea takes root, worms its way in and forces me to sift through memories and emotions and try to see if it might be true, after all.

I struggled to think of anything tangible that would prove Marcus was a good person earlier, when Leon was being so brutal about him, but if I’m being honest with myself – it’s that so many of the gestures in our relationship of someone going out of their way for the other are all things thatI’vedone for him.Like helping him sort out a last-minute birthday present for his mum, dashing out on my lunch break to pick up his dry-cleaning because he had back-to-back meetings, or bringing in leftovers of a meal I’d cooked for him to have for lunch.

And I’d do it without a second thought, because I always knew I’d be rewarded with his smile and heartfelt compliments and it’d feel sogood, I’d feel soworthyand so special. He could have asked me for the moon, and I would’ve made it happen just to feel that way for a moment.

Always stopping by his desk with office birthday cake, just for that smile he’d give me.

How many things have I done for him like that over the last couple of years? How far out of my way have I gone to make him happy, to make his life better and easier?

What has he ever done for me in return?

And I know what I’ve always told myself: that it wasn’t fair to expect such things of him, because even if it was just friendly, it might make Kayleigh jealous, and I didn’t do any of this because I wanted him to return the favour, this wasn’t a business transaction …

That question I had for Gemma, the one I shoved deep down, threatens to rise to the surface, and I push it firmly away. I don’t think I have the strength to contend with it right now.

Or maybe ever.

My chest hurts, and my brain feels muddled, and I’m not so sure what feels true or right anymore.

But surely I’ve put too much into this to turn back now?

I say as much out loud, cutting Gemma off where she’s trying to tell me that Marcus is a waste of space and that I shouldn’t bother giving him the time of day and how he’ll never leave Kayleigh for me anyway, and she snaps her mouth shut.

‘So you’re really doing this?’

‘Yes.’

She nods once, slowly, then several more times fast, something lighting up in her eyes. She tosses aside a tiny bottle of shampoo to grab my free hand, then drags me along behind her.

‘Well, in that case, we’d better make it worth your while. If you’re going to seduce him, Fran, you should at least look the part.’

We come to an abrupt stop, the Victoria’s Secret logo glowing above us, illuminating us in pink. I blink to find Gemma suddenly holding up a bejewelled thong in my face, and the pair of us burst out laughing.

Time until ‘I Do’

14 ½ hours

Chapter Twenty-two

Gemma

Fran’s whole face lights up as she laughs, and then I’m joining her as the ridiculousness of this entire situation sinks in, until we’re laughing so hard we’re leaning on each other, gasping for air and bent double, people staring and frowning in our direction, and neither of us caring.

Is this actually happening?

It is, isn’t it?

I’m really stuck in a French airport all night with nowhere to go but Ladurée and a sad, overpriced coffee shop, picking out lingerie for a girl I’ve just met to help her steal my best friend’s soon-to-be husband.

There are tears pouring down my cheeks, and I can’t breathe.

I’m not sure how much of it is laughter anymore, but I don’t really want to know the answer to that.

Like I said, that sort of thinking is what makes you spiral if you’re not careful.

Itdoesfeel good to finally vent a little bit about how hard it is to be Kayleigh’s friend and how she treats me.Mistreats me. I’ve always accepted it as fact, but saying it out loud …

God, it’s cathartic.