I sit up a little taller. ‘I’m sure I could do that.’
‘See, you have a plan now.’ Jill taps the table assertively as she stands. ‘I’ve got to go. I need to pick up Ted from football practice.’
‘See you tomorrow. And thanks for the help.’
With Jill gone, I reach out and touch Greg’s hand. ‘Thanks for taking the time. I know you’re busy.’
‘Of course. Why wouldn’t I?’ His fingers cover mine and even though I’m fighting an instinct to pull away, my insides warm. We’re venturing into unknown territory here, taking our relationship beyond its booty call status, but I think I like it, or maybe I think I should like it. I’m not sure which.
There’s a pause as our eyes lock and I can see him taking in every detail of my face.
When I still haven’t answered, he breaks eye contact and takes a quick glance up at the driftwood clock on the wall. ‘I’ll get going. It was only supposed to be a flying visit.’
‘Thanks for caring.’ It sounds awkward, but my words are sincere. ‘You don’t have to help if you’re too busy, though.’
‘Never too busy for you.’ He smiles as if he’s about to continue, but hesitates and instead pulls at his already loosened tie.
I hold my breath. I think I know what he’s about to ask me. Last week I wouldn’t have been ready. But my encounter with Jackson has shone an undeniable light on the fact I need to move on. I’ve let his ghost ruin my dating life for far too long and it’s time I let go of my guilt and take control of my own happiness.
I tilt my head up to Greg’s and hold his eye contact, in my head practising my response to him asking me out.I’d love to. What took you so long to ask?
The silence between us grows uncomfortable. With a jerk, Greg grabs his coffee and gives me another sparkly smile, and I’m crushed when he leaves without uttering another word.
The rest of the afternoon is predictably quiet. I’ve closed up and am sitting at one of my picnic tables mulling over Greg’s noteswhen Reeni walks over.
‘Hey. No Olly?’
‘Aaron got home from the hospice early, so I’ve left Olly with him to feed and bath,’ she says sitting opposite me.
‘Hospice?’
‘He’s started helping out. They’re organising a fundraiser and he wants to be involved.’
‘He’s a goodun.’ I smile at her, but she doesn’t smile back. I push my pad to one side. ‘What’s up?’
‘I got my period.’ Reeni presses the heels of her hands into her eyes. ‘I really thought this month was going to be it. I was five days late.’
‘Oh, Reens.’ Reeni’s family means so much to me that her news hurts. I pull her into a hug. ‘I’m so sorry.’
She leans into me and gives a tiny, hiccupy sob.
‘It will happen. And you know if it doesn’t, look at what you do have,’ I say.
‘Mum keeps saying that. I know you’re both right, but I’m sick of trying to look on the bright side. I love my family, but I so want Olly to have a brother or sister. And I want another baby. Is that too much to ask?’ She scrubs at her face. ‘Everyone else gets pregnant at the drop of a hat. What’s wrong with me this time?’
Her words stall my breath for a second. Not all of us wanted to get pregnant at the drop of a hat. Seeing how emotional Reeni is makes me feel even more ashamed of what happened to me, but it doesn’t stop me wishing my best friend could get pregnant.
‘I’m doing everything I’m supposed to. Charting my cycle, taking my temperature and watching what I eat and drink. We’re having so much sex, I think Aaron’s sick of it.’ She winces.
‘I’m sure he doesn’t mind.’ I wink, trying to lighten the conversation.
She ignores me. ‘I wanted him to start coming home in his lunch hour, but something always seems to come up.’
I tilt my head to catch her eye. ‘He can’t leave the hospital, even if he wanted to. You know that.’
Reeni takes a large breath and her shoulders shudder. ‘I know.’ She gives her head a shake, as if to dislodge her thoughts. ‘Enough about me. I’ll be good. There’s always next month. Right?’
‘Of course. Try and relax.’ I wince as I say this, hoping she won’t think I’m being flippant.
