Page 20 of Love, In Balance

“Thank you M’lady” I reply. She laughs.

“You’re welcome kind sir” she says, tipping her imaginary hat.

“Would you like a top up of your tipple?” I ask her.

“I think I need it” she says, sighing as though she’s exhausted. I notice she has a prosecco glass, so I open the fridge and see a bottle. I lift it to her. She nods intensely.

“Thank you, Quin. You’re a true gentleman. Unlikesome” she says under her breath as she walks slowly out of the kitchen.

We’re in the living room, halfway through the first game of blackjack. Lista has formally introduced me to those in the room that I’ve not met properly.

Flic, whose full name is Felicity (I’ve been forbidden from ever calling her by her full name) happens to be one of Lista’s friend group that she bizarrely keeps referring to asFive Mountains. She hasn’t told me the story behind the name, and I haven’t thought too much into it either. It’s quite catchy to be honest. She says that instead of listing everyone’s name, she finds it easier to just refer to that set of people as the group name, so there you have it. I can’t argue with that logic.

She briefly told me that there’s clearly something more thanjustfriendshipgoing on between Drew and Flic, but neither have openly acknowledged it yet.

Why am I so relieved to know Drew and Lista aren’t together? Well, to know Lista isn’t with any of these great guys, to be honest.

Oli was pleased when we walked into the living room and Lista introduced me to people.

“As if you know Lista already Quin!” he says enthusiastically. “She’s gorgeous isn’t she?” he asks and offers Lista a wink as she flips him off openly.

I fight the urge to answer him.Gorgeousdoesn’t quite capturehowstunning she is.

Lista’s other friends are awesome, and they seem to want to protect her, which I’m fully in support of.

Oli happens to be one of Lista’s group. He just couldn’t make it to the New Year’s Eve getaway apparently. And Flic was on call so had to stay home.

I already know Pierce. Lista made it clear that he isnotpart of their five mountains group and is just a friend they’ve known for years from the university. His character is...questionable. He works at the University as a guest lecturer, like I was before going full-time.

There’s just something about him. He’s sly and less genuine than the others here. I’m unsure of where he fits into things with them. Then again, maybe I’m the same. Just an odd one out.

I’m glad I have my drink in my hand because if I didn’t, I’d be close to dragging Pierce out by the collar of his shirt.

Lista has clearly tried to remove herself from him multiple times tonight, and he won’t take the hint.

He’s brushed himself against her, sat directly behind her on the chair, closing his legs around her. And each time, she’s moved away. Don’t some guys get the fucking hint?

I’d like to personally make sure he gets it next time he tries something funny.

No one else seems to react to her discomfort. If anything, it seems like it’s all one big joke that everyone is accepting, but I can see Lista isn’t happy and it’s twisting my fucking insides. Maybe I’m just looking too deep into it as an outsider.

All I know for certain is that I want to leap across the table and wipe the smug look off Pierce’s face.

This time, after Pierce has pissed her off one too many times, Lista leaves the room and goes to the bathroom, announcing her bathroom break rather harshly and exasperated. I take my phone out and text her.

Quin:Sit with me if you need to.

Nothing more. Nothing less. I don’t want her to think I’m getting involved. But I’m here for her. And the thought of her suffering in silence whilst surrounded by people makes me agitated. It’d be the same if I thought anyone was being made to feel uncomfortable by another person. Man or woman. Adult or child. Little or big. Everyone deserves someone in their corner.

A few minutes later she walks back into the living room. I expect she hasn’t seen my message. That is until she walks in front of where I’m sat on the couch and sits on the floor, just in front of the gap between my legs.

She knows. She read the text.

I’m fucking stoked that she feels safe with me. I see Pierce gaze over at us. He huffs, shakes his head and knocks his beer back. Jealous prick.

The night continues. We play cards against humanity and then move onto rounds of Mario Kart on the Nintendo switch. Flic and Lista come first and second.

They absolutely whipped our arses and it’s so nice to see Lista’s face change during her wins.

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