Page 43 of The Weight Of It All
“You’d think so.”
“How was it?” she asked.
“Awful. Horrifically embarrassing.”
“It wasn’t that bad,” Reed added. “James and Colin might be under the impression that Henry and I are dating.”
More silence. Then a bubble of laughter burst through the speakers. “What?”
“It’s a long story,” I said quickly. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
“Henry Ashford Beckett,” Anika full-named me. “You tell me about it now.”
Reed snorted. “Ashford? Is that your middle name?”
“Yes.”
“Ouch.”
Anika laughed, and I sighed. “It was my mother’s maiden name. Both Eadie and I have the same middle name.” It was something I’d explained numerous times in my life. “I didn’t actually pick it. You can blame my mother.”
Reed seemed to be enjoying this. “And Henry’s mother might possibly think we’re an item. She wants us married by dinner time, is that right, Henry?”
“Oh shut up,” I cried. Anika was still laughing. “You’re obviously feeling better. Not hung-over anymore?”
“Much better thanks,” she said. “So tell me? You guys spent another day together. Colin and Jamesandyour mother all think something’s going on?”
“Nothing’s going on,” I blurted out. I could feel my face heat with embarrassment. “I’m ending this call now, Anika.”
Her response was shrill and fast. “Are you two fucking?”
I stabbed the End Call button on the dash screen, hard and repeatedly. I was too scared to look at Reed, but I could feel him staring at me, and when I finally dared to meet his gaze, his smile got wider and he burst out laughing. “I like Anika,” he said.
“I don’t. And just so you know, I’m now in the market for a new best friend because she just got fired. I’m so sorry about that. She has no filter, which is ultimately why we get on so well, but?”
“Henry?”
“Yes?”
“It’s fine.”
“Ugh. Today’s been horrible for you. First Colin and James, then my mother and sister,thenAnika. All I can do is apologise.”
“I actually had fun today. It certainly wasn’t horrible. Awkward, maybe, but not horrible.”
“Oh God, awkward is worse than horrible.”
Reed chuckled. “It wasn’t bad! I’ve had a great day!”
I took a right into Darling Street at Balmain and drove past the gym and went straight to my place. When I stopped the car, Reed looked a little surprised and started to collect his shopping bags. “What are you doing?” I asked.
“I can walk from here. It’s fine.”
“You’re not walking home from here,” I said. “Just let me grab the citrus tart for you, and I’ll drive you home.”
“Oh.” He smiled. “Okay.”
From the way he bit his lip and blushed a little, I couldn’t work out whether he was embarrassed or relieved or nervous. I ducked inside, quickly grabbing the tart, and when I got backinto my car, I handed it straight to him. “Your bribery, paid in full.”
