“Well?” Anna asks, her eyebrows lifted in anticipation.
I turn the phone around, revealing the screen to them. The look of surprise and disbelief on their faces mirrors my own as they lean in to read the message.
James:So, can I see what those incredible breasts look like without the clothes?
We all exchange puzzled looks. Suddenly, Anna throws her head back and releases a deep belly laugh.
“I know Lucas is clever, but surely he didn’t rob James of all the intelligent genes floating around his father’s ball bag,” she says. Gemma chuckles.
“Surely that’s not him,” I say, shaking my head in confusion.
James
I thrust out my arm, pointing at my phone. “This is your idea of helping me?” I say, locking eyes with Will. He shoots me a wink, and despite my frustration, I can’t help but roll my eyes and huff out a laugh.
“I didn’t think it was that bad,” he replies, and I think he’s being serious.
The tension breaks, and soon we’re all laughing at his futile endeavour to help. Tom reaches over to give Will a sympathetic pat on the back.
Oliver leans in and hands my phone back to me. Accepting it, I type furiously, attempting damage control.
“What are you saying?” Tom asks.
“I’m letting her know that Will is a dumbass,” I say, my eyes fixed on the screen as I figure out what to say next.
“You really want our help?” Oliver asks. “My advice would be to make her feel better. You don’t want her to feel guilty about what happened last night, right? And you want her to know that you’re sorry for leaving, instead of talking about it like a big boy.”
“Right,” I reply.
Fuck, I messed up. I can’t imagine how my walking out so suddenly would have made her feel after everything she shared with me.
I feel bloody terrible.
She was so hurt, and I just left her.
“Just be honest,” I mutter to myself.
“Just be sincere,” Oliver says. “She’ll appreciate that you’re taking responsibility.”
Nodding, I press send.
April
My phone buzzes as another message comes through.
James:I’m so sorry, that was my mate, Will. He shares DNA with a banana. Please ignore him.
As soon as I read the message, three dots appear on the screen to indicate he’s typing again. Gemma, Anna, and I all lean over the counter together, our eyes fixed on the screen, waiting in anticipation.
James:You have nothing to apologise for. I wanted to make sure you got home safely. Thank you for opening up to me. It means a lot that you trusted me. And I’m sorry for leaving so abruptly—there’s no excuse. I haven’t stopped thinking about it.
I lift my hand to my chest, my shoulders sagging with relief.
“See, I knew it would be fine,” Anna says.
“That’s really sweet,” Gemma says, giving me a tender look.
“He is really sweet.” I crook a smile, rubbing my finger over the screen. I twist my mouth to the side, contemplating my next message.
