Page 17 of Unforeseen Love

“Fuck.”

My hand goes to the seam at the back of the shorts to the huge hole from where I cut out the label. I’d been meaning to sew it up.

I grumble as I make myself a bowl of shredded wheat and add a little sugar before pouring on some milk.

It’s not my fault clothing manufacturers have the most ridiculous label placement. And I clearly have sensory issues. The only things I leave labels on are my towels, and that's because I don’t want to wipe my face with the same end I’ve wiped my arse with. And yes, I wash my towels. I can’t help it if I’m a little set in my ways. Fine, I’m a lot set in my ways.

I never expected him to come and invade my workplace and personal space too. What annoys me the most is I love living here. Granted, it was never going to be permanent, but now I feel as though there’s more of a rush for me to start maybe looking at moving.

Hopping up on the kitchen counter, I rest my book in my lap and try to read as I eat my cereal. I’m trying to restrict myself to one chapter a day. Quinn and I are meant to be buddy reading it, but she’s slower than she usually is, and I hope it's because she’s found her muse and is finally writing this novel she’s been toying with for years.

And I can’t think of a better place than a cottage in the countryside to help provide inspiration. Much better than the toxic work environment she finally walked away from, that's for sure.

It makes me angry even thinking about it. She’s one of the nicest people I know. She doesn’t deserve to be treated like a pariah.

It’s something I’ve always been grateful for with my line of work. I don’t have to worry about office shit… well, until Theo, that is, but still, I’d choose him over a group of women. I use that term lightly as real women don’t drag other women down for their own means or gain. They fix each other’s crowns and put you forward for opportunities. Granted, my circle isn’t the largest, but the friends I do have, I trust, and I’d always choose quality over quantity.

I sigh when I realise I’ve tried reading the same sentence three times now. It would seem my little rendezvous with Theo has left me somewhat discombobulated. I might try some meditation before bed to clear my mind. Finishing off my cereal, I wash up my bowl and spoon. On my way back to my room, I pause at the bathroom and listen to the sound of the shower running, and if I’m not mistaken… is Theo singing Harry Styles? I smother my laugh and lock myself in my room to give Quinn a call. Besides, I’m sure she’ll get a kick out of it when I regale her with my wardrobe faux pas.

ChapterTwelve

Theo

It’s almost eight, and I saw something about Clap for Carers on the old bird app, and to be fair, it has me intrigued.

Walking out into the living room, I glance over and pick up the remote, but just as I’m about to turn on the TV, something catches my attention. Sienna has fallen asleep on the couch while reading her smut. She’s not only in a really odd angle, but her mouth is open as a soft snore escapes her. Unable to help myself, I pull my phone out of my jeans, snap a quick photo, and send it to my group chat with laughing emojis. Immediately, it vibrates as my friends start to reply.

Jake: Wait, who the fuck is that?

Me: I told you, it’s Morticia *eye roll emoji*

Matt: Damn, she’s hot, especially with her mouth ready and waiting.

Phil: Hold up, did she always look so good?

I scoff at that and glance back over to her. When she’s asleep, there is definitely something a little more appealing about her.

Me: Shut up, I wouldn’t trust her not to bite me. She only looks hot when she’s asleep because she doesn’t have a resting bitch face.

And man, does she own that look. She could easily win an award.

Matt: Dude, give her my number.

I raise an eyebrow. Yeah, I don’t think so.

Me: As if she’d want it, you were worse than I was at Uni.

To be fair, we were all arseholes. I can’t blame her for her lack of empathy towards me.

Phil: Not as bad as Ricky.

There it is, the stark reminder that even after years of friendship, my best mate screwed me over.

Jake: Phil, FFS, really?

Phil: Shit, sorry, man.

I don’t know if they were privy to what he did behind my back. I doubt it. But I know for certain the circle of friends we had in Ireland must have known, and that's the fucking real kicker.

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