I shake my head, trying not to smile, but I can’t help it.
“He’s fine, I see,” she says.“Have you made any progress?”
“Maybe…”
“Is he coming to the dinner with you?”
“What?”
“Are you going to ask him?”
I hadn’t thought of that.The question catches me off guard, and I hesitate.“I don’t know,” I say, looking away.
“Afraid it might be too much?”
“Maybe.”
“God, Martin!Do I have to put you through the wringer?Talk, for fuck’s sake!”
“Is my life that interesting?”
“Of course it is!I want to know everything, especially the spicy details.”
“Forget it.None of your business.”
“Since when?You used to tell me about your dates, your hookups… Oh.”
“What?”
“I see it now.”
“What?No!”
“This is different, isn’t it?”
“Stop it.”
“He’s the one.”
“You’re fantasising, Chris.He’s just…”
Chris puts her hand on mine.I keep my eyes down, not wanting to see the sympathy I know will be there.
“I don’t know what it is between us.”
“You don’t know, or is he the one who isn’t sure?”
I shrug.
“Martin…”
“What?Are you trying to tell me I’m the usual loser?”
“Of course not.”Her hand tightens around mine.“I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
Too late, Chris.The Captain is already shattering my heart; I feel both heavy and empty.Still, I let him.Soon, only useless crumbs will remain.
“I like Jamie, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t think he’s really…”
