Page 72 of Pride
“I suppose you’re right. I’m just so fed up with the dating pool resembling a cesspool these days. I wish we could find acouple of decent guys who don’t come with a whole heap of baggage.”
“I hear you,” I told her, even though a spark inside told me I might’ve found someone who was so far away from a cesspool, he was on another planet entirely. But I didn’t want to make her feel any worse than she already did.
We arranged to meet up for a coffee date soon, and I made her promise she wouldn’t go AWOL again. Then we hung up, and I stared at the door, wondering what today would bring. Feeling nervous and excited to see Alex again.
I showered and got myself ready, putting on a nice yellow sundress that made me feel good, even though it was freezing outside, and I left my room.
I walked down the corridor, my feet sinking into the plush carpet, then made my way down the staircase. Once at the bottom, I could hear male voices and I turned left, following the noise.
As I grew closer, I heard Alex say, “I won’t be coming to Italy on Thursday. I told Tobey last night.”
“But I thought you had an important business meeting?” a familiar voice asked, and Alex replied, “I’m attending by video call. They don’t need me there in person and I have too much on to leave the U.K. right now.”
I walked through the door into the dining room, where a full breakfast spread was laid out on the table, and Alex was sitting at the head of that table, with Ethan right next to him.
“Emma,” Alex said, standing up. “Did you sleep okay? Can I get you anything?”
I sat down on the other side of Alex, opposite Ethan, who currently had a look of shock on his face, and replied, “I slept really well. Thank you. Your bed is really comfy. And this,” I gestured to the table, “Looks amazing. I think you’ve got everything covered.”
Alex smiled and sat back down.
Ethan continued to stare at me with his mouth open.
“You remember Emma, don’t you?” Alex said to Ethan.
“I do.” He smiled then, and after giving Alex a knowing look, as if to say, ‘That was fast work’, he turned to me and said, “It’s lovely to see you again, Emma. I’m glad my friend is looking after you so well.”
I tried to find the words to respond. I didn’t know whether to say that I was only staying for a short while, or that I was grateful for Alex’s help. But my words didn’t seem to want to come. So I smiled, poured myself a cup of orange juice and sipped it to give myself time to think.
“Anyway, I won’t keep you,” Ethan suddenly announced, standing up to leave, but grabbing a croissant from the table as he did. “You’ll be missed in Italy, but keep me updated. I’ll be in touch. Nice to see you again, Emma.” He nodded his goodbyes to us then left
“You’re not going to Italy?” I asked, and Alex shrugged.
“I don’t need to be at the meeting in person. A video call is more time effective. And besides, there’s nothing else there for me. I’m needed here now.”
There wasn’t going to be a show. That’s what he meant.
S.K.A.M. wouldn’t be performing.
“I have to ask you something,” I said, fussing over my cutlery because I felt nervous about my next question.
“Go ahead. Ask me anything,” he replied, putting his elbows on the table, and steepling his hands together so he could rest his chin on them as he gave me a thoughtful look.
“Is it Tobey?” I asked, looking back at him with apprehension.
“Is what Tobey?”
I took a breath, and then added, “I heard you say to Ethan just now that you’d spoken to Tobey last night and told him youwouldn’t be going to Italy. Is that because Tobey is the artist? Is he S.K.A.M.?”
“God, no!” Alex bellowed, and from the surprised look on his face, I actually believed him. “Tobey can barely draw stick figures, let alone produce art.”
“But you saw Tobey yesterday, at the same time you told me you sawhim,” I ventured.
“Ispoketo Tobey. I didn’t see him. I called him from the car to ask for his advice about employment law. He’s more knowledgeable about that kind of stuff than me. And we share the same lawyer, so...”
“Oh,” I replied, feeling a little defeated.
Why wouldn’t he tell me who it was?
