Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 105850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
“That…” I paused. “You might actually be right. He’s surprisingly soft.”
“Soft? Theo?”
“Yeah. Like a marshmallow. He’s soft and squishy.” I made little squeezing motions with my hands. “It surprised me at first, too, but he’s a total teddy bear.”
“I’m equal parts intrigued and terrified by what you just said.”
I understood that.
I’d felt the exact same way at first.
“Either way, you need to tell him how you’re feeling. If you’re in a relationship, you’ll find it much easier if you do this thing called communication.”
“Yes, thank you, Jeremy Kyle,” I muttered. “I know that. I guess I’m just a bit scared to bring it up, knowing how he feels. I don’t want him to think that I… Ugh. That I was leaving for a job where I could be more successful and now am only staying because we’re starting something.”
Harvey leant forwards on the table. “He won’t. He knows you better than that, Chlo. You’re not that kind of person. And if he accuses you of it, I’ll break his kneecaps.”
“I can do that by myself.”
“We’ll take one each.” He grinned. “Look, you two will figure it out. I can’t say I ever pictured you in a relationship with one another, but somehow, it makes sense.”
“Really? Even I think it’s ridiculous.”
“Oh, it’s ridiculous, but it makes sense.” Harvey laughed, knocking his foot against mine under the table. “And think of it this way: you know you can make any kind of relationship work, because you’ve both worked and lived together already. You’ve even worked from home while living together.”
He had a point. We’d already cleared a hurdle that would usually come years down the line for most couples and lived to tell the tale.
“You’re right. We just need to talk. I mean, I’m sitting here talking about a relationship, but we never actually said it. What if I’m just here thinking that he’s my boyfriend but he’s actually not?”
Harvey blinked at me. “You’re stupid. Both of you. A stupid, stupid couple.”
“I’m going to tell Aunt Fizz you’re being mean to me.” I sniffed. “Fine. I’ll sit him down and talk to him tonight.”
“Why don’t you invite him over?”
I made a little cross with my fingers. “I live in the company building. I’m trying to keep what’s going on between us a secret, not broadcast it to everyone who works at Black Ink.”
“I didn’t think about that.” He tapped his hand against the table. “Then you’ll have to go to his place.”
“Good idea.” I pulled my phone out of my bag and tapped out a message to him. “Done.”
“Wait, what did you do?”
“I told him we need to talk so I’m going to his place after work.”
Harvey stared at me, then pressed his hands to his face. “You said you need to talk. After work. At his place.”
“Yes. What’s wrong with that? It’s the truth.”
“Oh, Chloe. My dear, dear, Chloe.” He reached over and took my hand, still keeping one of his over his eyes. “You are so smart. So talented. So capable. But such a complete idiot when it comes to relationships.”
I looked from our hands to my phone screen and reread my message to Theo. “Oh.”
“Yes, oh. He’s going to be losing his mind in the office right now.”
“Hold on.” I took back my hand and quickly tapped out a message, but he’d already replied.
THE BASTARD: CHLOE????
THE BASTARD: What do you mean we need to talk????
THE BASTARD: TAKE IT BACK RIGHT NOW.
Ah.
Yeah.
There was the losing his mind part.
ME: I DIDN’T MEAN IT LIKE THAT.
ME: I WASN’T THINKING.
ME: DON’T PANIC.
THE BASTARD: It seems like you’re the one panicking right now.
ME: I didn’t think about how you’d take what I was saying until Harvey pointed it out.
THE BASTARD: Jesus. How much are you telling him?
ME: Just enough that I still have something to blackmail you with.
ME: Don’t worry, I haven’t told him about your sock collection yet.
THE BASTARD: He knows. He buys me a pair every Christmas.
ME: Damn it.
THE BASTARD: As long as it’s nothing bad. But are you sure you want to come all the way to mine?
ME: Yeah. I don’t want anyone to see you at mine.
THE BASTARD: Ah. Of course.
THE BASTARD: I’m warning you, though. If you walk into my place, you’re not leaving until tomorrow morning.
ME: I guess I’ll swing by my place first and get some clothes.
THE BASTARD: Good girl.
My cheeks flushed at those two magic words, and I quickly shoved my phone in my bag before Harvey could see it.
“Gross,” he muttered.
Never mind. “That’s your fault for peeking, you nosy git.”
“Why do you still have him saved as The Bastard in your phone?”
I smiled. “Nostalgia.”
“You keep forgetting to change it, don’t you?”
“That, and there’s every chance I’d not realise it was him if I changed it to his actual name. I’m somewhat conditioned to answer his calls under The Bastard.”