Page 19 of In the Long Run
She chews on her bottom lip before grimacing and I know what she needs right now.Correction:whoshe needs.And it’s not me.
‘I’ll go get Bernie.’
She throws her arms around me.‘Thank you.It’s just …’
‘He should be here for this,’ I finish for her.
Sheispregnant.I can tell.And I’m happy for her.For them.But as I pull open the door and slip back into their office, I have to ignore the stinging behind my eyes and the way my skin goes all prickly.I’m too hot and too cold.Meredith’s moving on to another life stage and I’m going to be left here all on my own.
Unless – my gaze catches on the stack of colourful flyers on her desk advertising the gym’s new run club – I throw myself intosomething new too.And there’s nothing like group training to keep you accountable.
Later that afternoon, I’m deep in my feels, trying to free Caleb’s cooking magazine from where it’s stuck in the mail slot, when someone hugs me from behind.I throw my elbows back, duck out of the embrace and shove as hard as I can.A cloying smell fills my senses.As I spin, my handbag and keys fall to the ground.
‘Ow, Genny.What was that for?I was saying hello,’ Brand splutters, clutching his side.
I back up until the white brick wall that houses all the letterboxes presses against my shoulder blades.‘Please leave me alone.’
Brand sighs like I’m a petulant toddler who’s been told they can’t have ice cream for dinner.Clearly, I still have babies on the brain after seeing Meredith earlier.She texted me a picture of four positive tests a few minutes after I left and then two teary selfies of her and Bernie.
Brand fusses with his hair, smoothing it back into place.‘Please.We have things to discuss.’
‘I don’t think you do,’ says a deep voice from the doorway to the building’s foyer.Knox pokes his head out and looks at me the way I imagine I look at opera cake.Eyes all soft, lips curling into a small smile that anyone would be lucky to become familiar with.‘Hey, Coffeebean,’ he says.
I snort.It’s not my proudest moment, but ‘coffeebean’?It’s official.Knox is bad at nicknames.It’s a well-appreciated chink in what keeps presenting itself as genuine, humble, hot guy armour, but God knows I’ve been wrong before.
Knox wrinkles his nose at me like my reaction is uncalled for or something.‘I was just looking for you,’ he says.
And you know what, if he wants to keep looking at me like this with mischief lightening all his dark features, he can call me whatever he wants, especially when Brand’s around.
‘Can I make you dinner tonight?’Knox asks, walking over to me.He swoops down and picks up my bag and phone and offers them to me.Our gazes lock together.
‘Sure.’I don’t even care if this is all for show.My emotional well is tapped out.
‘Genny.Stop.There are things you don’t know about Watson.’Brand’s voice is innocent, friendly even, which frustrates me even more.
‘His name is Knox,’ I reply.
‘That’s not what most people know him as though.They know him as Ja—’
‘That’s enough,’ I say.
‘But it’s not.He can’t offer you the same things I can.I’ve been trying to tell you that I’m opening my own real estate agency, and I want you by my side.Managing all the accounts.You never know where it could lead.Professionally and personally.’He smiles winningly at me.‘And I’ve found the perfect location.It’d barely be a commute to work for you at all.’
Brand’s grin widens and all the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
‘Rumour has it that Alizée’s is up for sale,’ he continues.‘The building, I mean.I have no interest in your little cake business.’
A chill descends as Knox stares at Brand.
‘I’ll have to tear down that hideous wisteria and gut the place.Finally make it something the area can be proud of.’
Knox doesn’t say anything, doesn’t move, doesn’t blink.I don’t have the same restraint.‘If you don’t leave, I’ll call the police and tell them you’ve been harassing me.I’m serious, Brand.This ends now.’
‘What would you say?We’re just having a conversation, Genny.’Brand’s laugh is surprised.‘Besides, I owe you a birthday dinner.We could go somewhere nice.Romantic.’
What is this guy’s problem?‘I don’t want to go anywhere with you.’
‘Fine.We’ll speak again when you’re in a better mood.’Brand makes a big show of checking his watch and then his phone, straightening the sleeves on his blazer and checking his collar is flat.Neither Knox or I speak until he’s back inside his Tesla and the headlights appear.
