“I assume Olly is around somewhere?” Jackie asked, gesturing to the busy flat.
“Somewhere,” I laughed.
Jackie excused herself and went on the hunt for Oliver, leaving me alone with Louise. Her face crumpled and she pulled me into a one-armed hug again. “I’ve missed you so much. How’s life treating you?”
“Good. They closed my old dental surgery down, but I’ve got a new job now.” I pulled my phone from my pocket to check the time. “In fact, there’s a friend from work due to turn up soon. I’m sure you and Jackie will get on really well with her.”
“How exciting.” Louise took a sip from her glass. “What time is she getting here?”
“An hour ago?” I laughed. “She’s a terrible timekeeper.”
Almost as if she had sensed our conversation, my phone buzzed with a message from Becca.
BECCA: Just on our way up, someone buzzed us in. We’re just waiting for the lift. I’m with Trish and a few of the others from work. Hope that’s okay?
I smiled and tapped out a message, beer in one hand, phone in the other.
MAX: Sure, the more the merrier.
“They’re on their way,” I explained to Louise. “Looks like she’s with some of the other nurses from work. That should be hilarious, they’re nuts. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
Louise followed me to the door, but one of the other guests had already let Becca in. She smiled sheepishly as she caught my eye.
“Hey, sorry I’m so late. I had to make a few more pickups than I’d planned.” She gestured over her shoulder to Trisha and another few nurses before pulling me into a hug. “Don’t be angry, I didn’t know I swear,” she whispered in my ear.
“What do you—” I began, my words catching in my throat as I caught sight of Rowan in the doorway. He caught my eye almost immediately and smiled. I sucked in a breath.
“Seeing as Max seems to have momentarily forgotten his manners, I’ll just introduce myself. Hi, I’m Louise.” Louise waved at Becca, leaning around me.
“Hi, nice to— Whoa!” Becca gasped as I grabbed her elbow and manhandled her into a quiet corner.
“Where’s the fire?” Louise hurried after us.
“What the fuck, Becca?” I hissed. “What is he doing here?”
“I’m sorry, I swear I didn’t know,” Becca cried. “Trisha only mentioned we were picking him up as she got into the taxi.”
“Fucking Trisha…” I muttered.
“Can someone catch me up? What’s going on?” Louise asked, glancing between Becca and I with concern.
“The tall guy over there?” I subtly gestured in Rowan’s direction.
“The hottie?” Louise asked, craning her neck to get a better look.
“Yes, no… It doesn’t matter,” I spluttered and ran a hand nervously through my hair. “That’s my boss, Rowan.”
“Ouch, awkward.” Louise looked over again. “He seems like quite a cool guy though. Surely, he won’t—”
“No, it’s not so much that,” Becca interrupted. “Max has, um, history with him.”
I sighed and scrubbed a hand down my face.
“Oh, right, I get it.” Louise smirked, nodding. “So, you have a ‘thing’ for him, then?”
“More than a ‘thing’ Lou,” I grated, debating whether to fill her in. I risked looking across at Rowan. He was standing in the kitchen – in my horrible, messy kitchen – waiting for Trisha to pour him a drink. I watched as the nurse added coke to the generous amount of vodka at the bottom of the glass. He was drinking tonight.
“I’m so sorry, Max,” Becca whined.
