Page 40 of The Best Number

“Can I run something past you?” Jack asks me after we’ve returned to the lounge and been eating for a few minutes.

“Of course. What is it?”

“There’s an opportunity coming up with work that I’m considering.” I nod, waiting for him to say more. “Remember when I told you ages ago about Duncan from my office? He got a new job in the New York office and left a while back?”

“Ah yes, I remember. You said you’d always wanted to go to New York.”

“Yeah…” He pauses, drawing in a deep breath. “His new place is looking for some extra help. He’s reached out to see if I’d be keen.”

“Oh wow, Jack! Would it be based here or there?”

“There. It’s all uncertain at the moment. I’m not sure how long it would be or anything.”

“Duncan obviously thinks highly of you to recommend you to his new boss.”

“Yeah, I guess so. I just don’t know what that would mean.”

“For what?”

“For you, Tom and I. If I go.”

“Ah, I see. Well, we did say for as long as it lasts. And it sounds like this could be an awesome opportunity, Jack.”

He stares at me intently and I sit quietly, waiting for him to say something else.

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to have a proper chat with Duncan’s boss and see what they are offering.”

“I think that’s a good idea. You don’t have to make any decisions until you have all the facts. I think you should probably mention it to Tom, too. Just in case it does happen.”

I feel torn. On one hand, it feels momentous that Jack has decided to share this with me and he’s been thinking about the impact this would have on our relationship. On the other, I’m sad that if this works out for him, it would mean an end to the fun we’ve been having. But I take a deep breath and shake it off. Like I said to Jack; there’s no point worrying until we know more.

“Yeah, I’ll talk to Tom at some point. Enough about me. Tell me how the book is going?”

“It’s coming together. I’m over halfway now.”

“How much of what we’ve done is going in the book?”

“Well, it helps to have contorted myself into some of these positions I’m writing about. It also helps me understand the dynamic between three people. So far I’ve only written books about couples but I’m enjoying the throuple set up.” I pause. “Both writing it and in real life.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it. If you want me to read it I’d be happy to. No pressure if you’re not ready to share.”

“I think I want to get through the first draft before I share the whole thing. But if you would be happy to, it would be good to get your thoughts on the scene I wrote today.”

He nods. “Yeah, I’d love to… maybe give me the background of what’s happened so far?”

I give him a brief rundown of the story. The book I’m writing is different to the way we met as it’s a male-female couple that adds a male friend.

“So why are you keen on my thoughts on this particular scene?”

“It’s written from the male friend's perspective and he’s developed feelings and is unsure how and when to express them. I was hoping you could give me your thoughts on it?”

“Okay.” He nods. “Now?”

“If you want, or I can send it to you to read later?”

“If you’re happy to wait for my slow reading, I’m happy to read it now.”

I grab my laptop from my desk and wake it up to open my current document.

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