‘All right, paranoia, no one cares about your love life,’ Sal mocked.
‘I know, I’m just not used to this.’ Eleanor felt her cheeks colour.
Sal squeezed her hand affectionately. ‘I’m sorry. I know.’ She hit the call button for the lift and pulled Eleanor into a hug. ‘I think it’s sweet.’
‘Woah. Hugging at work, Sal?’ Eleanor laughed into her shoulder. ‘People will realize that you actually have a heart.’
‘Behave!’ Sal pushed her away and stepped into the lift. ‘You give me such a bad rep. I’m really notthatbad.’
‘How many interns did you make cry last month?’ Eleanor raised her eyebrow knowingly.
Sal picked at the red varnish on her nails. ‘Four.’
‘Exactly.’
‘But that wasn’t entirely my fault!’ she cried. ‘Anyway, this isn’t about me. It’s about you and Benny boy,’ she simpered, her voice thick and sickly sweet.
‘Ew. Don’t call him that.’ Eleanor stepped out of the doors and joined the queue for coffee.
‘He really likes you, you know,’ Sal announced casually.
‘And how would you know that?’ Eleanor enquired, hoping Sal couldn’t hear the flip of her stomach as it somersaulted wildly.
‘I asked him. Unlike you, I actually talk to people about these things.’ Sal pulled her long dark hair up into a ponytail. ‘Christ, I need to wash my hair. This is the problem with going to the gym before work, it just throws my routine completely off.’
‘Oi.’ Eleanor slapped her gently on the arm. ‘Don’t change the subject. What did hesay?’
Her heart was pounding so loudly now that she was worried she wouldn’t be able to catch her friend’s response.
‘Oh, you know.’ Sal waved her hand dismissively. ‘I asked him how things were going and he said they were good.’ Eleanor could tell she was loving every minute of this. She willed herself to stay patient and allow Sal to continue. ‘I said that I wasn’t surprised because you were pretty much the best person I’ve ever met, and he agreed.’
‘You said that?’ Eleanor lowered her voice to a whisper.
‘Yes! That shouldn’t be a shock to you by now. You know how much I love you.’ Sal shook her head in despair. ‘I wish you saw what I see in you.’ She turned to lock eyes with Eleanor, who quickly dropped her gaze the floor.
‘And’ – Sal lifted her chin with her finger – ‘clearly what Ben sees in you.’
‘What can I get you, ladies?’ the barista interrupted. Eleanor smiled gratefully; the moment was starting to overwhelm her.
‘A flat white and a double Americano, please,’ Eleanor stated.
‘Can you make mine a triple actually?’ Sal corrected.
‘Sure thing.’ The barista nodded.
‘A triple? Jesus, Sal, it’s 3 p.m. already. You’ll be bouncing off the walls all night.’
Sal shuffled uncomfortably. ‘I need the energy.’
‘Why?’ Eleanor paid and followed Sal to the waiting area. ‘What’s happening tonight? Is it another big meeting or something? I can never keep up with your schedule.’
‘No.’ Sal’s cheeks were turning pink.
‘So, what is it?’ Eleanor pressed suspiciously.
Sal sighed and played with the hem of her jacket. ‘I … I may or may not have a second date tonight.’
‘Sally Moreno, you dark horse!’ Eleanor yelped. ‘You have a go at me for not telling you things. I want to know everything. And I meaneverything.’
