The thought is immediately followed by panic.
“That’s… a lot,” I say.
“Everything about this is a lot,” Ivy replies gently. “This just might be a useful kind of a lot.”
I shake my head, even though she can’t see it. “You’re unbelievable.”
“You love me.”
“I tolerate you.”
She laughs. “Think about it.”
“I will not.”
“You will,” she says calmly. “Because you’re already doing it.”
I hate that she’s right.
“I’m not saying yes,” I say.
“I didn’t ask you to,” she replies. “Yet.”
We hang up a moment later, but the idea doesn’t.
It sits there, unwelcome and stubborn, taking up space in my head like it’s already unpacked.
Moving in with Geoff.
Mad.
Completely mad.
And irritatingly, alarmingly… practical.
14
It’s not romantic
Geoff
I’m lying on mysofa with my phone balanced on my chest, scrolling with the sort of focus normally reserved for waiting rooms and delayed trains.
Dating apps.
Plural.
In theory, this is progress.
In practice, it’s like flicking through slightly different versions of the same conversation and realising you’re bored of all of them before you’ve even finished your tea.
I swipe. I match. I message.
Hi, how’s your week going?
Busy butgood!
You?
