Page 43 of Just a Number

“I haven’t paid you any rent yet. Should I set up an automatic payment?”

“There’s no rush.”

“I want to pay my way.”

“Okay.” I give him a nod. At least we’re no longer talking about that daft bet we made in bed. “Come through, I’ll write down my bank details.” He follows me to the breakfast bar and I grab a notepad. I add the amount we agreed underneath and pass it over.

He looks it over. “Thanks. I’ll get this set up today.”

“Honestly, there’s no rush.”

“I’ll be back in a bit to switch the laundry. I’ll knock before I come in.”

“Okay, probably see you soon then.”

“You’re home all day?”

“Yes, I’ve got a work event tonight, but here until then.”

He heads out, and I breathe a big sigh as he does.

Once I’m sure he’s gone and peek out the window to see him go into his place, I grab my phone and bring up Abby’s number. I hit the call button and listen to it ring several times.

“Hey, Mel.”

“You've been meddling again?” I don’t bother with a greeting.

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t take that innocent tone with me. Did you, or did you not, suggest that Alex does something to ‘thank me?’ Something like washing my car?” I should have video called her so I could watch as she tries to get out of this.

“Ahh, it was too good not to. Sorry, Mel. How’s he doing?”

“He’s fine. Keeping himself to himself. I was just showing him how to use the washer and dryer.”

“It seems such a shame to have him so close, knowing that he’s so willing to please you in bed and not do anything about it.”

I humph, not knowing what else to say. I daren’t admit to her it’s crossed my mind more than a few times.

“Have you seen his pottery pieces?”

“No, not yet. I’ve got a meeting at the Arts Centre later this week. Maybe I’ll pop by and have a look.”

“You totally should. His stuff is amazing. He gifted me a beautiful mug as a thank you for the furniture I gave him. It’s stunning. Do you follow him on Instagram?”

“What? No.” I haven’t let myself search his name online. That seems like a step too far.

“I’m sending you the link now. You should have a look. He’s amazing.” I hear the notification bell for the message she’s just sent.

“I’ll take a look.”

“When are you coming in for a drink? Cassidy and Tom are off to New York next week. We should all catch up before they go.”

“That sounds good. We should do something when you’re not working.”

We agree to catch up towards the end of the week. I suggest the girls come to me and send Cassidy a message to see if she can make it too. I’ll need to warn Zack. Perhaps he can go out with friends that night. Unless he wants to drink wine and talk about smutty books.

I’m sitting at the breakfast bar, pouring over Alex’s Instagram feed. It’s hot. There’s no other way to describe it. It alternates between stylish, simple photos of his finished pieces, shot fromall angles and blatant thirst traps. Videos with him sat at the potter's wheel, slapping the clay down and using his magnificent hands to sculpt it. Occasionally, he looks directly at the camera, and it’s like he’s looking into my soul. He doesn’t talk on the videos but occasionally has music accompanying them.

---