Page 12 of The Ending is the Best Part
He’s silent for a moment, before he bellows out a laugh, and I stare at him in wonder.I don’t think I’ve ever heard him laugh like that before, like he actually means it, rather than the fake laughs he does at work for Meagan and the senior writers, flattering them.
I go to leave again and I hear his loud shout in parting.
‘Don’t think I’ve forgotten.You still owe me one, Yazza Dazzler.’
This time I don’t turn round.
Chapter Six
Five Weeks Left
Acouple of days have passed since that night in the office between me and Xander.Since then, our interactions have been few and far between.I don’t really understand him.He’s always been like this.Cold one moment, warm the next.Sometimes I wish I could go into his mind and see how he’s feeling.Truly feeling.Not just this facade he puts on in front of others.I thought we were making real progress that night.We agreed on pretty much everything except for the damn ending.Yes, I’m a romantic, but is that so wrong?And if I can’t have an all-consuming love story in real life, then the next best thing would be to create it in a fictional story for people to enjoy.I’m sitting at my desk polishing off the outline for the episode, while Xander does some research on past episodes to make sure we haven’t made any continuity errors.Our fans are forensic.Dare I say, they know the show better than we do or even Meagan does.We need to make sure we get all the details right.
I’m lost in my own work when suddenly a plastic bag drops on my desk, making me jump.I glance up to see Xander already walking away from my desk.I glance down to the bag, looking around warily to see if anyone else would comment.They all seem to be focusing on their own work.Xander has sat back down at his desk with a matching plastic bag.I lean forward and inspect what’s inside.The smell hits me first, an aroma of freshly baked bread with hints of dill.It’s a smoked-salmon bagel with a thick layer of cream cheese, which is my favourite lunch.How did he know?First, he ordered my favourite Korean meal, and now this.I mean I know we’ve worked together for years but I don’t think I’ve ever noticed what his go-to lunch is…
He doesn’t even bother looking my way for the rest of the day and I can’t figure out his game.Is this a way to soften me up so that he can steal the credit for our work together?Yeah, that must be it.I shake myself out.It’s just a sandwich.I start to feel the strain of sitting at my desk for too long: back cramps, sore eyes… yeah, it’s not fun.What better way to fix this than going to get a nice warm cup of tea?There’s not much a good cuppa can’t solve.I head over to the kitchen and have just grabbed my mug when Andrew, Xander’s work bestie and the script editor, sidles up next to me.
‘Hey, gorgeous,’ he jokingly flirts.While Xander is reserved and intense, Andrew is the opposite in every way.How those two became friends is beyond me.
‘Hi, pookie.’ I flutter my eyelashes in response.Andrew and I have a thing where we pretend that we’re an old married couple at work.We probably only get away with it because we’re so firmly platonic.He’s not a bad-looking guy, some may say he’s very attractive, but he’s too pretty for my liking.I prefer a guy who’s a bit more rough round the edges, sort of like Xan—NOPE.Not even entertaining that thought.Working together is really messing with my head.
‘Listen,’ Andrew says, ‘as you know, I’ve been working on the new house for a while now and it’s finally ready, so I’m hosting a housewarming this weekend.Would love for my work wife to be there.’
‘I’m sure Xander will make the time in his busy schedule,’ I joke back.
‘Very funny.But I can have a work wife and a work hubbie.This is the modern world, move with the times, Grandma.So, will you come?’ he says, holding his hands like a prayer.
Andrew pooled all his savings to buy a real fixer-upper.He’s been working on this house for almost a year, removing all the 1970s wallpaper and renovating the kitchen and bathroom himself.I’m truly excited for him but I know Xander is probably going to be there, and I don’t enjoy dealing with his mood swings at work, so I certainly don’t want them in my free time.‘I would love to, it’s just—’
I don’t get a chance to finish my sentence before he interrupts me.‘Look, I know you and Xander have this weird thing going on, but he’s not even going to be there!’
‘He’s not?’ I say, surprised that he’ll be missing out on an occasion that I know means a lot to Andrew.
‘Nope,’ he pops out with a grin, emphasising thep. ‘Says he has something else on that night.’
Probably another date, I think.That strange, sinking feeling again.He should be focusing on the finale, not his love life.
‘Hello, earth to Yara.’ Andrew waves his hand over my glazed eyes.I blink out of it.‘So, does this mean you’re coming?You can even bring a plus one!Maybe Amira?’ he says eagerly.Ever since he met Amira at my birthday party last year, he’s been hung up on her.She’s been in a relationship for years, which he knows, but he still pines after her.Honestly, I think Andrew would definitely be better than her shitbag of a boyfriend.
‘Fine.’ I sigh, giving in, and just like that, like a puppy who’s just been handed a treat, he lets out his legendary smile, which works wonders on other women.Just not me.I can’t help but match his happiness, and give him a shy smile back.
Without warning he pulls me in and hugs me tight.A throat clears behind me.I’m not sure what causes me to push Andrew off me as if I’ve just been caught in a compromising position.But as I turn round, I’m met with a tense Xander, who’s wearing a thunderous expression.
‘You’re looking… cosy?’ His words are light-hearted but it doesn’t quite match his body language.
I peek a glance at Andrew, who is grinning like the Cheshire cat.
‘Ah, Xander, didn’t see you there, Yara was just telling me how she’s coming to my housewarming this weekend.Kinda sucks you’re not coming, man.You’ll be missed.Don’t worry though’ – Andrew puts a friendly arm round me – ‘Yara and I will make sure this housewarming isfire.’
In another world, I’d say that Xander looks jealous, but that’s just ridiculous; why would he be?We despise each other.Or I thought we did until the other night.
‘Great,’ he says tersely.
‘Okay,’ Andrew says, looking uncomfortably between me and Xander.‘On that note, I’m going to go back to work, see you this weekend… babe.’ He winks at me and saunters back to his desk.I can feel the heat of Xander’s stare on the back of my head as I turn towards the kitchen counter.I fiddle with the tea bags and sugars, anything to keep my hands busy.
‘I take it the dating pool has shrivelled up so much that you’ve had to resort to Andrew.’ His harsh tone startles me a little.
He thinks I like Andrew?I try not to let the shock show in my face.He seems annoyed by it, but I can’t think why.Maybe he thinks I’m getting distracted from the finale.I’ve thought the same thing about him and all his dates.But it could be anything.You never know with this guy.But maybe I can use this to my advantage.
