Page 122 of The One That I Want

He regards me sceptically.

‘He didn’t even tell you my name. Do you think he was openly declaring his feelings to me, but I was what – just ignoring him so I could go onone datewith you? I mean, you’re a catch – granted – but…’

My words finally sink in and he snorts out a laugh, the tension between us evaporating instantly.

‘No, you’re right. Ewan does play things close to his chest – especially since he and Sally… Oh, sorry,’ he says, shifting uncomfortably in his chair.

‘What is it about you two and thinking that mentioning his ex is so criminal? Ewan’s in his early forties. Most people in their early forties have an ex.Youdo.’

Only when I say that do I realise Harrison must know Sally.

‘Fair,’ he concedes. ‘God, can you imagine if wehadbeen a fit? It would have been a bloody awkward conversation when I asked Ewan to be my best man.’

‘What? You’rethatclose?’

He nods. ‘Best mates at uni – we met before I switched from commerce to teaching. Look, he’d kill me if he knew I was telling you this, but he’s been talking about you for weeks. He’s really keen on you, Greta.’

‘Well, good! It took me some time to realise, but I feel the same way. Actually, going out with you helped me see it.’

‘Um, thank you?’

‘You know what I mean,’ I say, and we exchange smiles. ‘Can I just ask… He talked about me for weeks, but he never told you my name?’

‘He said he didn’t want to jinx things.’

‘Jinx thi— Something to unpack another time, perhaps. Look, I really want to… you know, go after him.’

‘Oh! Yes, go,go!’ he practically shouts.

‘I will, but… areweall right? I promise, I won’t be writing about our date.’

‘Well,good, and yes, we’re all right.’

That’s one thing off my mind, but I still have a lukewarm coffee and a pastry to deliver. I also have no idea where Ewan would go. ‘I could just go to his,’ I mutter under my breath.

‘He probably wouldn’t head home – not right away,’ says Harrison, who must have heard me. ‘He tends to walk when he’s upset, sometimes for hours.’

‘Oh, okay. Thank you.’

We stand and he gives me a hug, which with our height discrepancy is like a giant engulfing a pixie. With a wan smile, I collect my tray of coffee and cronuts.

‘Bye,’ I say.

‘Bye, Greta, and good luck.’

I head back to the office to ask Anjali for the afternoon off. I need to find potential number two and ask him to be my number one.

32

GRETA

‘Oh, youarein a pickle,’ says Anjali, describing my predicament perfectly. She takes a sip of her coffee, then frowns and puts it down. With the urgency, I didn’t have time to reheat it. ‘So, what are you going to do?’ she asks.

All I’ve told her is that Ewan and one of my agency dates know each other, and I’ve given a truncated recap of the scene in The Daily Grind. But if I’m owning up to all my lies and secrets, I need to own up to the secret I’ve been keeping from Anjali.

I take a deep breath. ‘Before I ask for the afternoon off so I can sort this out,’ I say. ‘Sorry – I meant to come to that later.’

‘You can have the afternoon off, Greta,’ she says, which I appreciate but am also a little surprised by, unless… Ofcourse! Anjali is as committed to my relationship with Ewan – such that it is – as I am. ‘But there was something else?’ she prompts.

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