He laughs as well, and suddenly we’re both in stitches. It feels good to be laughing with Rodney again. I’ve missed him terribly.
When we calm down, an awkward silence falls. Rodney stares at his coffee cup, taking tiny sips as he waits for me to continue.
I may as well jump in. “So, I’m realising how closed off I’ve been for, like, ever. I’ve always invited people to be open with me, but when they’ve asked me to do the same in return I’ve tended to—”
“Be fabulous, as always?” Rodney’s tone is drier than the Simpson Desert.
“Something like that,” I reply, twisting my lips in a sardonic smile. “I guess I figured if I wasn’t my bright and bubbly self no one would want to be around me. I mean, no one likes a sad sack.”
“No one likes a Pollyanna, either.”
I tut at him. “I have too much snark for a Pollyanna.”
He breaks into a reluctant grin. “You may have a point.”
“Anyway, I’m sorry for shutting you out, and for being a bad friend. I hope you can forgive me, because I’m going to try to do better, and I wouldn’t want you to miss out on all the crabby moods I’m planning to throw your way.”
“Crabby-Toni, huh?” He contemplates the notion. “Could be fun.” Taking a deep breath, he taps a finger against his lips. “I suppose I can forgive you, on one condition.”
I nod, releasing a pent-up breath. “Name it.”
“Tell me what’s really going on between you and Ned Corbyn,” he demands, collapsing all over the table. “Because I saw you two at the party, and for a fake couple you looked exceptionally real and, frankly, you’re not that good an actor.”
“I’m an excellent actor.”
“I saw you play Puck in the Shakespeare production in high school, remember? You sucked. Now spill.”
“Okay, okay,” I concede. “Here’s the truth.” I provide an overview of how my fake relationship with Ned started, including how we met and the deal we made to help each other out. Of course, I leave out any mention of why Ned wanted me at the music festival with him. A firm, “that’s not my story to tell,” nips Rodney’s curiosity in the bud. “It was really more like half a lie because we did try to make our relationship as real as possible,” I add. “We went on dates, had lots of hot, sweaty sex, spent time together. We did everything real couples do until, finally, we became one.” I can’t help but grin as I think of all Ned and I have been through together, and all the possibilities of our future. “So, if you think about it, it was less like lying and more like a premature declaration of an eventual truth.”
“Piffle,” Rodney grumbles. “You lied.”
I make a tutting sound. “Well, if you want to be technical. It’s weird, though. We have that thing now, that you talked about before the party. The thing where we know each other in ways no one else knows us. I can’t imagine holding anything back from Ned now, even if I wanted to.”
“Aww,” Rodney gushes, “now I am jealous.”
I chuckle at the conflicting emotions racing across his features. “Don’t worry. You’re still the only person who’s seen me in drag.”
He throws his head back, laughing uproariously. “What a night to remember. You made a stunning queen.”
“You better believe it.” I snap my fingers in agreement. “Now, before we move on to you telling me everything I missed at your party, including drunk Uncle Bert… I want to ask you for a favour.”
Rodney’s eyes widen in surprise, before narrowing warily. “You’ve never asked me for a favour before. What kind is it?” A thought seems to occur to him, and he sits up straighter. “Is it nefarious?”
“Not in the least.”
He pouts his displeasure before tilting his head in question. “Can we pretend it’s nefarious?”
“Probably not.” I shake my head with a grin. “It does, however, involve you helping me on a new project. For which you’ll have full access to my home office.”
Rodney’s hands cover his mouth as he gasps. “Seriously?” he asks in a weird whisper-shriek. “I get to see the sealed section?”
I pull a face. “Only if you stop calling it that.”
He drops back in his chair. “I will never stop calling it that.”
Three hours later, I return to my apartment completely talked out, but with a massive smile on my face. Rodney and I spent the whole night talking about my project and catching up on what we’ve missed in each other’s lives over the last few weeks. When Leif arrived home, I extended my apology to him as well. He glared at me, looked at Rodney who nodded his approval, and then he shook my hand. He barely spoke to me all night, but he ate the Chinese food I bought us all for dinner, and he didn’t squash me like a bug. I figure that’s progress.
Ned is sound asleep in my bed when I get back. I’m too wired to sleep, but I don’t want to wake him. He’s been exhausted lately, with all the time he’s spent writing new music as well as working his usual hours at the pub.
