Page 104 of The Photograph

He huffs out a half laugh, and warmth slides through me that I’ve managed to get that out of him.

“She’s definitely back with this guy?” I add, pulling back.

“Yes, she goes to Cleveland every weekend to see him.”

“And you know this because you’re still in the apartment?” I squeak.

He nods. “What else can I do?”

James and Jane have lived together for the past five years. How is it possible for them to be sharing a space? It must be killing him.

“What have you been doing with yourself at weekends?”

“Contemplating suicide?”

Fuck, I don’t like the sound of that. “You can have my place when I go to Korea.”

“God. How could I ever move out? Not even seeing her …”

“Maybe she’s trying to send you a message about getting married or something?” Who knows how women really think? It’s a stunt one of my sisters might try and pull.

“I asked her. I had the ring and everything. Made it all romantic. We went back to our old school in Cleveland: It’s as corny as they come, but it’s where we met. And I gave her a series of notes with all the things I love about her written on them.”

“Whaatttt?That sounds incredible. What happened?”

“She said we were more like brother and sister now, and the magic had gone for her.”

“Oh shit, James. That’s brutal.”

“Tell me about it. This all happened because I asked her.”

I shake my head. “No, it didn’t.”

“She’s it for me, Des. What am I going to do now?”

“What about trying to woo her?”

He pulls on his ear which is a sure sign of James thinking, but his shoulders slump. “I’ve left it too late. It’s pointless.”

“Come on, when did you ever give up without a fight? Perhaps she needs reminding who’s hung her moon and stars for the past ten years.”

This gets me a reluctant smile. “Maybe childhood sweethearts aren’t meant to be.”

No one is better matched than James and Jane. They’re both quiet dedicated types and enjoy each other’s company like no couple I’ve ever met. If they can’t make it, what hope is there for the rest of us?

“She’s an idiot.”

“I’m the idiot in this scenario.”

“Come on, James, we need a plan of action. Uncle Des is on it now. We have to remind her you are the king of romance.”

He starts to laugh. “You’re a lunatic, Des. I amnotthe king of romance.”

“You will be when I get my posse onto you.”

“I do not want your gay friends interfering in my love life.”

“Yes, you do,” I say, pulling my phone from my pocket, and all my woes with Alex are forgotten in the heat of a problem that is worse than mine to solve.

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