‘Yeah, for sure. The Finley Taylor stamp of approval is mandatory for any woman in my life.’ Rob’s voice was bursting with glee. ‘Now tell me, have you met up with any other old friends you’re planning to replace me with lately?’ he teased.
Fin’s lips tingled at the memory of Eleanor’s kiss. ‘Erm … well, about that.’
‘I knew it,’ Rob exclaimed. ‘Who are they? How fun are they? Who do I need to push off the top spot?’
‘It’s not like that. It’s just …’ Fin ran his hand through his hair.
‘What happened?’ Rob replied knowingly.
‘It’s nothing really.’
‘Doesn’t sound like nothing,’ Rob insisted.
‘Well, long story short, I ended up going to a wedding with that old friend on Saturday. She needed a plus one, I volunteered my services; all very casual and low-key, you know?’
‘Ever the gentleman,’ Rob remarked.
‘Yeah, quite.’ How the hell was he going to explain this? There was so much to his and Eleanor’s friendship that words alone wouldn’t do the story justice.
‘OK, so you’re at the wedding with this friend of yours,’ Rob prompted.
‘And we kissed,’ Fin blurted out.
‘Cool. And?’
‘And … she was drunk.’
‘How drunk?’
Fin paused, already cringing at the memory. ‘So drunk that she threw up afterwards.’
Rob’s laugh was so loud Fin had to hold the phone away from his ear.
‘Hey, come on!’ he cried shamefully.
‘Sorry, mate, but that is brilliant. How bad are you at kissing?’ The raucous laughing continued for a good minute longer. ‘Sorry, sorry. Carry on. You’ve smooched her, she’s thrown up. Then what?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Nothing?’
‘I took her back to her hotel room and put her to bed,’ Fin relayed.
Rob paused. ‘And you really are just old friends?’
‘Yes.’ Fin hesitated. ‘Just friends.’
‘So then what’s the issue? No offence, but we all do stupid stuff when we’re drunk. If you don’t have feelings for the girl and you’re mates then it’s fine, right?’
Fin breathed in deeply. ‘It’s just, she says she doesn’t remember anything from the night. I feel strange not saying anything. Should I tell her? I don’t want things to be awkward between us.’
‘No. Oh, hell no,’ Rob said firmly.
‘Why?’
‘If she hasn’t said anything then steer well clear. If girls want to talk about something they will. Otherwise leave it well alone. It will only make things weirder if you bring it up now.’
Fin let the advice settle in his mind.
