“Did it hurt you to admit that?” Eilidh teased.
“Why? Because I’m mildly misogynistic?”
“Did I say mildly? I meant wildly.”
Amusement curled the corners of my mouth. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had this much fun bantering with someone.
“Friends,” Lewis interrupted us. “You both think I should propose friendship?”
“If you want to prove that your first thoughts are to Callie, then aye,” Eilidh insisted. “She needs trust to build between you again.”
A few minutes later, to my surprising disappointment, Eilidh hung up. Lewis left to consider his options over Callie, and I got back to work. However, that feeling lingered throughout the day. The disappointment. The gnawing sense that something was missing.
Then, as I was getting ready for bed that night, my phone buzzed.
I picked it up to find a text from an unknown number.
Despite your mild misogyny, it was nice catching up today.
Grinning, I saved Eilidh as a contact and replied:
If you call insulting me catching up. It felt more like a roast.
My phone binged and my smile stretched my face.
I also called you a smoke show. Trust you to home in on the negative. Also I miss your glasses. Did you get laser eye surgery, Fyfe Moray?
Nope. Contacts. I’m wearing my glasses as we speak.
Well, that’s a relief. For a minute there, I thought my Fyfe had disappeared.
Her Fyfe.
That felt better than it should.
Shoving that thought away, I replied honestly.
You’re one to talk. Today is the first time I saw the real Eils.
What does that mean?
You were you and not the untouchable BAFTA Award-winning Eilidh Adair.
Is that what I am?
Somehow I sensed the melancholy in her reply. I hadn’t meant to upset her.
It’s been a while since we spoke. All I’ve known of you is what I see on TV or on ad campaigns.
Well, I’m still me.
I got that today. It was good to see.
I waited for a response, but a minute passed and nothing. Disappointed, I put my phone down and reached for my e-reader. I hoped I hadn’t offended her.
Then a minute or so later, my phone binged again. I dropped my e-reader in my rush to pick up the mobile.
If I tell you something, do you promise not to tell Lewis or anyone?
