Maybe one day she would consider telling Tina and Melanie about the Shaun saga—when she could finally laugh about the idiot—but in her present headspace, the shameful pain was too intense to talk about, let alone to find humor in.When she did finally choose to confide in her friends, Liz and Cindy would be the first to hear her embarrassing woe.
Tina and Mel had only been Kris’ housemates for one term, and while they all got on great, she didn’t know them well enough to share the pain of her heartbreak.
Kris straightened in her seat at the analysis.
Heartbreak?
Was that what she was feeling?
More like smarting anger that she’d allowed the useless fool to string her along for so long.
I should have known better.
“Has that guy still not given you an answer about your thesis?”Tina sighed, and Kris nodded at the weary-sounding emotion in her voice.
One way or the other, men had certainly found ways to infuriate her of late.
“Not yet,” Kris admitted.“I don’t think today will have helped much.”
“Oh, screw him.”A crease appeared in Tina’s brow.“If he doesn’t want to work with you, then that’s his loss.”She thrust her cup into the air.“Here’s to us and our amazing futures—with or without Professor Pine’s help!”
“Thanks.”Kris chuckled at her friend’s passionate fervor, even if she doubted how well her career would go without Pine’s backing.“Here’s to us.”Putting down her fork, Kris raised her mug and joined Tina’s impromptu toast.“Thanks for making us dinner.”
“You’re welcome.”Tina’s lips curled.“Although you haven’t eaten much.You’re not coming down with something, are you?”
“I hope not.”Kris collected another pasta tube on her fork.“It’s just been a long day, and coming in late last night probably didn’t help.”
“Had a bit too much to drink, too, did you?”Placing down her cup and tucking back into the last of her meal, Tina winked at her.“I didn’t hear you come in.”
“I’m glad I didn’t wake you,” Kris replied, deflecting her friend’s knowing question.“I could use an early night tonight.”
“Leave the rest if you’ve had enough.”Tina gestured to Kris’ half-eaten food.“It might make a decent cold lunch tomorrow if you refrigerate it.”
“Good thinking.”Kris put down her fork again.“Please don’t think it’s a reflection on your cooking, though.It’s excellent, really.”
“Don’t worry.”Rising from her place, Tina flashed her a grin as she picked up her empty dish and carried it to the dishwasher.“I’m pretty difficult to offend.”
“Leave the tidying,” Kris told her.“I’ll load the dishwasher.You did the cooking.”
“But you did the shopping,” Tina reminded her.
“What a good team we are.”Kris supped at her herbal tea.“Melanie’s lucky to have us.”
“Damn right.”Tina laughed.“But actually, it would help me if you could tidy up.Glen asked if I wanted to catch a film with him, and after our last ‘get to know you’ date, I’d really like to, you know… hold his hand in the dark.”
Despite Kris’ melancholy, her lips tugged at the way Tina expressed her desire for the sporty Glen.Tina had only known him for a few weeks, but it was clear she couldn’t get enough of him.Even though Shaun had snubbed Kris, she didn’t begrudge her housemate the opportunity for some joy.Tina worked hard.They all did.She deserved a little pleasure.
“Go for it.”Kris signaled to the doorway.“Have fun.”
“You’re a star.”Tina pirouetted, blowing Kris a kiss from the doorway before she took a small bow.
Watching her dance out of sight, Kris had no choice but to laugh as she rose from the table to tidy up.It was impossible to be too sad when Tina was around.
***
Flicking off her phone, Kris stretched out on the sofa, her head rolling to check the large clock on the lounge wall.
20:10
