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I don’t like her. I know I’m being jealous, because she so very subtly made me feel like she knows Theo better than I do. Like I’m an outsider.

But I’m still a bit grumpy as I head into Theo’s room and kick my shoes off. And I don’t like feeling like that at all.

“I hate her already,” Jennifer says, having picked up on the first ring. I’m sitting under the covers on Theo’s bed in my fleecy pajamas. I’ve taken a shower, brushed my teeth, and now I’m bitching with my bestie on the phone.

“Maybe I’m being unfair,” I say. “She was probably pleased to see him. They’ve obviously known each other for years. It’s not her fault I’ve only been here for a few weeks.”

“Nah,” Jennifer says. “She absolutely wanted to make you feel bad. We’ve both met women like her before. Their digs are oh so subtle, but we know they mean them.”

I sigh, because I’m not usually like this. When Patrick used to work late, I actually believed he was at his laptop.

Not doing things he shouldn’t have been.

It’s his fault I’m so paranoid. “Theo asked if he could visit me in New York,” I tell her.

She squeals. “And you didn’t tell me that first. Okay, that’s settled. She’s jealous, you’re going to be a princess, and fairytales do come true.”

“Theo isn’t a prince,” I point out.

“Doesn’t matter. He likes you. He wants to fly to New York to see you. This is major, Georgia.”

My chest tightens. “I hope so.” I clear my throat. “She mentioned how hard his bed is.”

“She said what?” Jennifer asks, aghast. “Oh, she’s definitely on my shit list. I’m telling you, she’s jealous as hell he’s with you.” She pauses. “Don’t let her ruin this.”

“I’m not planning on it. I just… I don’t know. It feels weird, being here with his family. They all know each other and talk about the same things and I feel like an interloper.”

“He brought you there because he wants to spend time with you. And if his family are big enough assholes to make you feel bad about that, then it’s on them, not you,” she says firmly.

“You’re right.”

“I always am.”

I let out a mouthful of air. “I should go,” I tell her. “It’s late. And I really am tired. Thank you for making me less paranoid.”

“Hey, what are friends for? Let me know how tomorrow goes, Cinderella.”

I smile and hang up, as footsteps echo outside the door.

The handle turns quietly and the door opens a fraction before Theo pushes it open wider, stepping inside. He closes it behind him with a soft click.

“I thought you might be asleep,” he murmurs, unbuttoning his shirt. A shaft of moonlight catches him through the half-closed velvet curtains.

“I was talking to my friend, Jennifer.”

“The one from college?” he asks.

I nod, stupidly pleased that he remembers.

“Is she okay?” He pulls his shirt off and folds it neatly.

“She’s good. Her ankle is healing.” I pull my lip between my teeth as he shucks his pants off. “Is everything okay downstairs?”

He straightens and looks at me carefully, and although I try to read him, I can’t.

“Everything’s fine,” he says. A beat too quick. He reaches for the back of a chair, draping his trousers over it, being careful not to crease them. “My father’s on his second bottle of wine which is always delightful.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Kate seems nice,” I say before I can think it through. It’s really not like me to talk in circles around a subject.