Page 71 of We Used To Be Magic

I thought that Tomas had misremembered my name. When he asked if we were schoolfriends, I figured that it was because we’re both English. But Edie is a real person, and Ezra is talking to her right this second.

No wonder Maggie looked at me like that – they were expecting someone else.

EZRA

‘BUT YOU’RE OKAY,RIGHT?THINGS AREFINE?’

‘For God’s sake,yes.’ Edie huffs. ‘Why are you acting like me inviting you out for a drink is akin to a mental break?’

‘Okay, okay. I just – I’m kind of in the middle of something.’

‘How tantalisingly vague. You know, I had to swallow my pride to call you in the first place. You never got in touch after last time.’

‘Sorry. As unlikely as it sounds, I’ve had a lot going on,’ I say distractedly, running a hand through my hair as I cast my eyes around the courtyard. Audrey has already disappeared, which makes sense seeing as she practicallysprintedaway from me.

‘I’ll consider forgiving you if change your mind,’ Edie says airily. ‘We’re in Meatpacking right now—’

‘We?’

‘Me and some people from work. But we can go elsewhere, if you’d prefer.’

‘I can’t, Edie,’ I say, stomach twisting unpleasantly. ‘But have a great time, okay?’

‘Okay. Thanks for telling me to fuck off so politely, I guess.’

‘Edie, I’m not—’

‘You are, but whatever. I’m free on Monday night if you do actually want to see me.’

‘Sounds good,’ I say, repressing a sigh. ‘Look after yourself, okay? Don’t fall down a manhole or anything.’

‘As if you care,’ she retorts snippily, ending the call. I lower the phone, resisting the urge to bash it against my skull – thesky-high elation I was experiencing a literal minute ago has been tainted with cloying, sickly guilt, now. Edie only ever takes on that haughty, sarcastic persona when her feelings are hurt, because God forbid anyone suspect that she actuallyhasany.

I take a deep breath, shaking my head slightly. I can’t deal with this right now. I need to find Audrey – need to pull myself together andthenfind Audrey, because right now my brain is so fried that the odds of me saying or doing something unhinged are dangerously high. I instinctively fumble for my cigarettes again, but it isn’t until I have one between my lips that I realise I probably shouldn’t be smoking – not if I want to pick up where Audrey and I left off, which Iabsolutelyfucking do—

‘Do you have a spare?’

I turn to see a girl beside me. She’s about Caroline’s age with delicate black braids and golden-brown skin, deeply freckled.

‘I’m quitting,’ she adds by way of explanation. ‘Only my body hasn’t figured that out yet.’

‘Sure,’ I say, passing her the pack. and absently patting down my pockets.

‘No lighter?’ the girl asks, watching me. I shake my head and she reaches into the small, bean-shaped bag on her hip to produce one.

‘You can keep that,’ she says, lighting her own before passing it to me.

‘Thanks,’ I say, hesitating briefly before doing the same – it’s not ideal, I know, but I feel a little calmer already.

‘Thankyou. I’m Demi,’ she says, offering me her hand. I shake it briefly – this must be the kind of networking that Maggie had in mind.

‘Ezra.’

‘And what do you do, Ezra? Can I guess?’

‘Go for it.’

‘Something creative. Talent management? Or photography?’

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