Page 64 of Fling

‘Well . . . I was wondering if there was any chance you could put in good word for myself and Tara?’ Colin asked.

‘I’d only be delighted to, Colin. I’m surprised you didn’t ask me sooner! Now, he’s usually booked months in advance but I can certainly get you on his waiting list right away.’

‘That would be amazing, Celine.’

‘But Colin, I have to ask. Why isn’t Tara the one calling me?’ Celine asked curiously.

‘Well . . . Tara has given up hope on IVF. But I think it’s worth one last try. Tara doesn’t know I’m calling you, so if this could stay between us for now, I’d really appreciate it,’ he explained.

‘Colin, my lips are sealed. And you were right to call me. I’ll text you when I hear back from him.’

‘Thank you so much, Celine. Chat soon,’ Colin said.

‘Bye,’ she said, hanging up.

As he took the phone from his ear, Colin had mixed feelings about what he had just done. Although he had taken action, there were still so many things beyond his control. There was no guarantee Tara would open up to the idea, and even if she came around, it was still just a spot on a waiting list, when time was of the essence. He tried to conjure up a sense of excitement but he couldn’t find the energy. He had hoped that calling Celine would be the bandage his wound needed, but it didn’t change the fact that he was still in pain. He slammed his head down on his desk in hopelessness.

Rory opened the door to Colin’s office to discover the pity party that was taking place.

‘Oh don’t tell me you’re still moping over Ciara,’ Rory said, seeing Colin’s face on his desk.

‘Her name is Claire!’ Colin snapped.

‘Remembering a woman’s name? Jesus, you’re obsessed with her!’ Rory said, slamming his hand down on Colin’s desk. ‘I’ve never seen you like this.’

‘I can’t help it. I have no control over my life any more. I don’t know what to do.’

‘Have you tried whining more? I hear that always works,’ Rory said sarcastically.

‘This is your fault, you know? You’re the one who told me to join Fling in the first place,’ Colin said, sitting up.

‘Yeah, to find a fling! Not to get your heart broken by a woman you’ve never even met. It’s time to get back in the saddle,’ Rory said.

‘Well, I’m sorry I can’t just flip a switch in my head and forget about her. Tara and I had sex last night, but the only way I was able to get it up was by looking at Claire’s lingerie pics. And I’m pretty sure Tara went snooping and found out I need Viagra to have sex with her,’ Colin said.

‘Wow, she must be taking it hard,’ Rory smirked.

‘Oh shut up,’ Colin said, trying not to laugh. ‘But one look at Claire’s nudes and I was a horny teenager again. And now she’s just gone.’

‘Col, the only way to get over someone is to get under someone new. We need to get your body count up to two,’ Rory said.

‘My body count?’ Colin said, horrified by the term.

‘Sex is just a numbers game, Colin. My goal is to sleep with one hundred women before I die. I won’t rest until I become a centurion,’ Rory bragged.

‘What number are you on now?’ Colin inquired.

‘I don’t know my exact number, Colin. What am I? Some kind of human calculator?’ Rory said defensively.

‘Yes, you’re an accountant.’

‘Well, I obviously lost count of the women, Colin. It’s called being a stud,’ Rory bragged.

‘Yeah, you’re a stud, just without the U,’ Colin joked.

‘Haha very funny,’ Rory said sarcastically. ‘But the joke’s on you because I’d rather catch chlamydia than catch feelings like you. There must be so many bored housewives on Fling dying for a dick appointment.’

‘Is that what the kids are calling it these days?’ Colin laughed.

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