Fuck. If I can’t even convince my team, who barely know me, there’s nothing going on, how am I going to convince anyone else? How am I going to convincemyself?
Chapter Four
Greer
Iheadhomeafterlunch with Josh on a bit of a high. Sure, there wasn’t any overt flirting, but there were definitely somemoments. Those schoolgirl crush feelings I had for him all those years ago have morphed into something … well, something adult. I’ve never felt so attracted to a man. Physically, mentally and emotionally. It’s a rare trifecta I’ve never experienced before. And I know he felt it too.
And here we are, weeks later, and I haven’t seen him again. According to Will, he’s busy sorting out his new team and getting new clients. I’d been hoping he would call or I would run into him at the family dinner, which it seems he’s been deliberately avoiding, because I hear he’s popped in on Mum and Dad more than once. Always at late notice, so there’s no time to organise the rest of the family.
He’s also managed to catch up with Will, Ethan and Ben. More than once. It was hard not to take it personally until I had a bit of a lightbulb moment. When Josh saw me in the airport, there was definite interest, which I think intensified during lunch. But the reality is, I’m his best friend’s little sister, which seems to be a no-go zone for men for some reason. Never mind that we’re all fully functioning adults. This requires a plan. Which requires a strategy meeting. Which is why I arrange to have a drink with Jess after our weekly ballet class. Not that I need an excuse to spend time with my bestie.
Jess and I went to a bitchy all-girls school together. She was a couple of years ahead of me, so I didn’t have much to do with her. Lucky for me, we also went to the same ballet school and bonded over our mutual adoration of our ballet teacher, Miss Robyn. I can honestly say, if it wasn’t for Jess watching out for me, I don’t know if I would’ve made it to the end of high school. And then she went and fell for my brother, who fell right back. Which creeped me out a little at first. Now we’re sister-friends, and I know one day we’ll be sister-sisters. If Ethan ever pulls his finger out.
“Is it wrong to be drinking gin right after a ballet class?” I ask as we settle into a small corner table at the pub down the road from our ballet studio. “I’m sure Miss Robyn would not approve.”
“She would definitely not approve. All these empty calories?” Jess laughs. “How can we dance like Fonteyn if we are fat, girls?” she says in a perfect imitation of Miss Robyn’s slight, and I suspect fake, French accent.
“Okay, Gee, spill the tea.” Jess sniggers at her rhyme.
“So, you know I had lunch with Josh a couple of weeks ago. And we had a moment.” I pause for dramatic effect, taking a slug of my drink. “Well, I haven’t heard from him or seen him since. It’s like he’s deliberately avoiding me.”
“Are you sure you didn’t imagine themoment? You know, because of the years of crushing and all?” Jess softens her verbal blow with a squeeze of my hand.
“No.” I can hear how petulant I sound. I also know I didn’t imagine it.
“Do you want advice, or do you want me to listen and agree?” she asks.
“Advice. Definitely.”
“Relax. I know how you feel about Josh, but he’s probably still trying to wrap his head around the fact that you’re not a kid anymore. Give him a hot minute to work it out.”
“You think?” That sounds like good advice. The problem is patience has never been one of my defining characteristics.
“Yep. It was obvious from what happened when you ran into him at the airport that he’s interested. Give him a chance for his brain to catch up with his dick.” Gin and tonic sprays across the table as I choke and Jess laughs.
“Also, he’s got a lot on his plate with this huge new job. Maybe he doesn’t want any complications right now.”
Damn. Jess makes a lot of sense. I down another good mouthful of G&T and mull it over.
“You think I should give him a bit of time to get himself together? Work wise and everything?”
“Yep. I mean, you’ve crushed on him this long. Is there any rush?” Jess grins at the waiter who has put a plate of hot chips between us. I can feel Miss Robyn judging, but we need something to line our stomachs.
“Ha. You know what he’s always been like. He’ll be hooking up with someone in no time.” I swipe a chip through the mayo on the side and Jess grimaces. She’s a tomato sauce girl.
“Is being a hook-up what you want? Or are you looking for something more?”
“More—obviously. But I don’t want him to meet someone while I wait around like a loser.”
“No, but like I said, he’s got a lot going on right now. If it’s going to happen, it’ll happen.” Jess spreads her hands out like a game show presenter displaying a prize. “Chill out. And you need to get your own shit together too. What’s happening with the job situation?”
“Nothing yet. I’m still looking. The recruiter I saw when I had lunch with Josh hasn’t come up with anything interesting. I don’t want to jump at the first job that comes along, and I don’t have to, thanks to Granny’s money. Right now, I’m researching until I find the right job and the right company.” My bag starts playing the theme song fromRound the Twist, Will’s own special ringtone. Jess makes the signal she’s going to the bathroom as I answer.
“Watcha up to?”
“Having a drink with Jess, talking about prospective employers,” I answer. Which is not untrue, if not entirely what we’ve talked about.
“Aww, Gee. Look at you, being all grown-up about looking for a job and everything.” There’s eight years between Will and me and he’s always treated me like a baby.
