Page 11 of In the Grey of Dawn

“I don't,” I say as I grin back at her.

“Okay cool, so we're just a couple of friends that don’t want kids.”

“I guess we are.” Just twofriendsthat don’t want kids. I can't help the scowl forming as I realise another chunk in the wall I've put up against Charlie comes crashing down.

Chapter 7 - Charlie

Cravin’ - Stiletto, Kendyle Paige ?

“We've agreed we're just going to be friends. I think? I don't know, but we both agreed we don't want babies and then said friends a whole bunch, so I think that means we're just friends. Right?” I say, flinging myself down on Mila’s bed. Nova is sitting in the corner chair so they can listen to me rant about finally going to see Porter a few days ago. We exchanged numbers and he had some more meals sent over for me which I now have in the fridge.

“And that's another thing, he sent me more meals, so he's basically said I don't need to see him again. Ughhhhhh. What does it mean!?”

“I think you're overthinking this. Porter is a guy. They don't sit there plotting away and reading into things,” Nova says, waving her arm at me.

“I’m not reading into anything.” My voice an octave higher. “Me. Overreact! I would never do such a thing,” I say laughing at the blatant dig she's making.

So I might overthink some situations when a guy I like is involved. It's not every day I even like a guy enough to be morethan a date on the calendar, so we're stepping into somewhat uncharted territory.

“Message him and ask what time he eats dinner at the bar and see if you can join him. Force yourself on him … in aI’ll respect your boundaries if you say no, kind of way.” Nova says.

“Mila? What do you reckon?” I say, looking over at her as she holds a cloth with a couple of drops of lime essence on it to her nose.

“I think you all still stink,” she says

“Sorry, I got too close,” I say, getting up off the bed.

For the past week Mila's hormones have been going crazy and we all smell horrible to her. It doesn't matter if we've just showered either. She kicked Dante out of bed and told him he had to leave because he smelled like old lady soap and it was making her gag.

He's currently sleeping on the floor in the corner as it's the furthest away from her he can be without actually leaving the room. I think he's coping well considering all of the changes he's had to adapt to. Not to mention the strained look on his face every time Mila has a bad day.

I can't imagine the helplessness he must feel in all of this but he’s on track to have their house finished and is counting down to a mission he and Ace have been planning for over six months. He's tried to scrap it several times but Mila keeps threatening to divorce him if he does. She keeps saying the lives they intend to save are more important than him hovering over her while she's vomiting.

“Let's hope tomorrow I smell like a unicorn and not sour yoghurt,” Nova says. “Charlie, just put me out of my misery and message him already. How am I meant to gossip with Ace about you if I don't have any new information!”

“Okay, okay. I'm doing it now,” I say, muffled into a throw pillow. Clearly peer pressure and my need to know where we stand outweigh any sense of rational thought.

Me:Hey, are you free later?

The almost immediate sound of my phone ringing causes me to fumble it in my hands before unceremoniously dropping it in the doorway just as Dante and Ace appear on the landing. Facing the wall I quickly gather my composure and answer.

Hey, I didn't expect you to call me?

Yeah, sorry. I hope that's okay?

I can't stand texting. If you ever get

a long winded message from me

you might want to call for help

because something will be wrong.

Sorry, did I make it weird?

No, No, not at all. I was just wondering what you're doing for dinner tonight? I thought I could eat with you and have some company.

Oh, ahh. I didn't expect you to say that. Thought maybe you needed help moving something. But yeah,come on over when you're done and I'll give you some company.

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