The irony that I’m going to be double-dating my ex with my fake-boyfriend-turned-situationship, and that I’m still peddling the lie that we’ve been together for longer than twelve days, is not lost on me. I’m expecting Ollie to have already told Alec, and if he hasn’t, I’m going to tell him myself. If I can be brave enough. My rippling stomach of bundled apprehension tells me otherwise.
‘Know the owners, right,’ Sam says. ‘I still don’t get why the owners let us have the place.’
‘We’re cat-sitting King Charles the Cat.’
‘Okay. Even though he’s at Mum’s?’
‘I don’t concern myself with the particulars.’
‘God, I’m starving,’ Sam says, patting his stomach. ‘They better show up soon.’
A takeaway of Chinese food is on the way. I suspect Sam is thinking Ollie might cancel last minute. Or is he hoping that happens?
A doorbell tinkles, and I jump. ‘That’s your doorbell?’
It clangs like an old chapel bell. Sam dries his hands. ‘It has to be loud so I can hear it from up here.’
Peering down at the street from the top windows, I see Ollie’s wavy hair, his arm around Alec.
‘Cancel it,’ I splutter. ‘Why are we doing this?’
Sam gives me his best, most reassuring smile. ‘We can do this.’
I head down to the shop, glancing at the place where Sam drilled into me. Okay, this is going to be fine. We’re just double-dating. No agenda. I might not believe that, but the key is to make them believe that.
As the door opens, Alec holds out his hands, as if greeting an old friend. ‘The man who is saving our wedding. Thank you so, so much. You don’t know what you have done for us.’
Alec brings the scent of oud as he squeezes me. I meet Ollie’s gaze, eyebrows rising. Alec pulls away, wearing clothes that look like they have come from a trendy vintage shop, second-hand yet immaculately styled. ‘You must like Ollie to do this.’
‘He’s a good friend,’ Ollie adds.
My face freezes. As Alec brings Sam into a hug, much to my annoyance, I step closer to Ollie and whisper, ‘Did you tell him?’
Ollie’s lips purse, and he shakes his head.
‘Ol…’
‘I will. Not yet. But I will.’
‘Oh, this place is lovely,’ Alec interrupts us. ‘Beautiful place. I said to Ol, we would have to get coffee here.’
I look at my dinky donut and touch the small of his back.
Finally, Ollie decides that a friendly clap on the back is suitable for me. Then he nods at Sam before strolling through the apartment like it’s an art gallery.
‘Yeah, we’d be happy to have you at the coffee shop,’ Sam says, and with a look of alarm from me, he clears his throat. ‘As in, we’re cat-sitting, so we’ll be here if you stop by, so we’d be happy to meet you for a coffee. Or a tea. Smoothies, too.’
Ollie’s and Alec’s backs are turned to me, and with that I whisper with a stern look to Sam, ‘Stop reciting No Names’ menu.’
‘I can’t help it,’ he whispers back.
Ollie, now standing at the window, looks at me.
‘How did you end up here, then?’
‘Cat-sitting,’ I repeat. ‘We know the owner.’
‘You know someone who lives in Greece?’
