‘It’s not funny, Jos.’
‘Whatever scares the hell out of you, lean into it.’
Which was possibly the worst advice ever given to anybody, but in her current state of uncertainty at least it was something to hang on to.
‘Nobody says you can’t have a smoochy phone call. That’ll make him want you more, not less.’
‘I don’t know,’ Cassie said. ‘This feels all wrong.’
‘It feels unfamiliar. That doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Do you want to slide into the “friends with benefits” zone, or do you want something more?’
‘Something more.’
‘Sorry, I don’t think I heard that?’
‘Something more,’ Cassie muttered like a child who’s been persuaded that they really don’t want that second ice cream.
‘I’ve got to go, Cass, my boobs are killing me. I need to stick two packs of frozen peas in my bra. Let me know how it goes.’
And she was gone.
Cassie was left to debate her two options alone. She could text back:
So sorry, can’t?. Unfortunately made other plans
That would be the wise and dignified thing to do, even if it did make her sound like a miserable bitch. Alternatively, she could reply:
Sure, when and where?
This would be the pushover thing to do .?.?. or .?.?. could there be another option? Something that would steer the line between a booty call and the friend zone. OK, the last date had got a little – fine, a lot – out of hand and the no-nonsense side of her recognised that she needed to row back. She flinched at the endless excuses she’d made to herself about Gavin.
No. Just no. This was a new start. She would not do the same old thing and expect a new outcome. Not anymore. So she texted:
Oh dear,wasn’t sure we were still on so made alternate plans. P.S. what was the dream about?
She waited. The phone pinged.
Need to tell you in person.
Her heart lurched.
Phone me at six?
The reply arrived quickly:
??
As five o’clock passed, she found herself showering and putting a mask in her hair, because she needed to anyway. She then changed into her favourite loose jeans that hung on her slim frame and paired them with a blue-grey cashmere V-neck sweater that just happened to look and feel effortlessly wonderful. The secret weapon in any girl’s wardrobe.
This is so sad, she chided herself, you’re dressing for a date when you’ve just told him you’re unavailable. Well, if you’re not sure what you want, she reminded herself, just look at what you find yourself doing. Just then her phone rang.
‘Is that the dream-interpretation agency?’
She sighed. ‘Wrong number.’
She heard him chuckle.
‘Look, I’m really sorry, I should’ve contacted you way earlier. To be honest, it’s been such a crazy week, it went clean out of my mind,’ he said.
