Urgh, who knew I’d have something big like this in common with Callum? Please excuse me while I vomit.
I’ve reached a bank of chairs and am spinning on my heels for yet another lap of the departure gate when I spot him making his way towards me in the midst of the gaggle of extremely handsy divorce partiers.
Our eyes meet and my stomach flips. This would all be so much easier if Callum looked like a cave-dwelling troll. But no, I have chosen to lock horns with a dazzling vision of a human being, a man who knocks the air out of me just by existing. It is deeply unfair that my body reacts to him like this.
I push that all down.
Today, I have got to make amends. Mostly because I did actually kill him yesterday (not my finest hour) and also because of all the judging.
Callum looks harangued and I seize the opportunity to go help him out, to prove that I can be the bigger person too. It’s a golden opportunity, I realize, bustling over to the group and making a show of how happy I am to see him.
‘Here you are,’ I coo, reaching up on my tiptoes to give him the lightest peck on the cheek. The flicker I felt when I first saw him bursts into such a big flame that I have to mentally douse myself in cold water.
‘My darling boyfriend!’ I add for good measure, giving Callum a go-with-it wink.
‘Ah yes,’ he says, cottoning on. ‘Hey.’
He nuzzles briefly into my neck and I am a burning inferno.
‘So glad you’re here,’ I add loudly for the divorce party’s benefit. ‘I can’t wait for our couple’s holiday to Australia as a couple.’
Callum cocks his head to one side, amused.
‘Me too.’
‘What with you being my boyfriend and all.’ I throw an arm around his torso for good measure, among an array of tuts and disappointed noises from the thirsty cougars.
‘I think they got the picture,’ he whispers as we sidle off to find some seats.
‘Do you?’ I ask, realizing that my arm is still wrapped around his waist and dropping it self-consciously.
‘You were very thorough, Moss. What’s brought this on?’
‘Oh, well, I’ve been thinking about you,’ I admit.
Callum leans back in his seat and gives me a penetrating look.
‘You have?’
My cheeks flush and I clear my throat. ‘Just, you know, deciding that I should make an effort. Kat wants us to get along, after all. And I suppose you’re not all bad.’
‘Praise indeed.’
‘Also it looked like they were about to eat you for breakfast.’ I shrug.
‘It felt a bit like that, too. Thank you, I appreciate it.’
‘You’re welcome,’ I reply.
We share a befuddled look, both clearly confused by this entente cordiale.
‘I’m just going to …’ I trail off ineptly, pointing at my phone.
‘Yup,’ Callum looks relieved as he pops in his earbuds.
There’s an awkward moment as we board where I have to explain to Callum that we aren’t sitting together, only this time I have practice on my side and manage not to make a total hash of it. And as I plonk myself down next to Passenger Stink, I deploy plan number one.
Deodorize the heck out of him.
