Page 116 of Someone Like You

‘Hi. Is now a good time to talk? Are you somewhere private?’

‘Not at the moment but hold tight.’ There’s muffled noise as she relocates, but it doesn’t take long. ‘Okay, I’m in my old bedroom, but there’s no lock on the door so I might be interrupted.’

‘I considered replying via text, but it might be easier to talk,’ I say. ‘Sounds like you’ve got a lot going on.’

‘Yeah.’ She sighs softly. ‘Look, I know what you’re going to say.’

I laugh. ‘How can you whenIdon’t even know what I’m going to say?’

‘Really?’

‘Yes. Your situation is… ahh…unique– and that’s before we throw the wedding stuff into the mix.’

‘Yeah. It’s ripped straight out of a bad romcom,’ she says.

‘Or a good one. Nothing wrong with the forced-proximity trope,’ I reply, thinking of Shaz. It’s one of her faves.

Gaby chuckles then exhales noisily. ‘Poppy, half the time I feel like I’m on the cusp of saying something. Like I won’t be able to hold it in any longer and I’ll just blurt out how I feel.’

‘I gleaned that from your message. It sounds rough.’

‘It is – especially when he does something that’s typically Raff, but now I’m seeing it through a new lens and it takes on an entirely different meaning.’

‘Such as?’ I ask.

‘Well, here’s one – we hold hands sometimes. We always have – crossing a busy street, if one of us gets bad news – or good news, for that matter. We’ve always been touchy-feely with each other, but now it has a completely different effect on me. And then I find myself staring at his lips and wanting him to kiss me – but then my brain’s like, “Um, Gaby, it’sRaff.”’

‘You’re confused.’

‘I am so fucking confused,’ she says.

‘Can I ask you something?’ I want to broach the topic of Julia, but I need to tread lightly here.

‘Ask away,’ she replies.

‘Does he talk to you about Julia?’

It takes a moment for her to reply. ‘Yeah, he does. I can tell he likes her. He even wants to plan a get together when we’re back in London. Oh, and get this – you and Tristan are invited!’

That surprises me, but I don’t let on. ‘Let’s cross that bridge if we come to it,’ I say instead.

‘Isn’t the expressionwhenwe come to it?’ she asks dryly.

‘Yes, but nothing is set in stone yet. There’s so much going on, especially with the wedding. And we can’t be sure of Raff’s feelings – not in such a heightened environment. But I do have one piece of advice – and you can take it or leave it.’

‘You’re going to tell me to change the sleeping arrangements,’ she states with a tone of resignation.

‘Yes. It’s one of the few things you can control and it might give you better perspective if you’re not sleeping together.’ Her breath hitches and I rush to clarify what I meant. ‘Sorry – Imeant that literally, not well… you know. Sorry – it’s been a long day.’

‘It’s okay. And you don’t need to apologise. You’re doing me a huge favour by talking to me – especially on Christmas Eve Eve when you should be chilling with your hot husband.’

There are a few seconds of silence, and I can’t help smiling. Did she really just say that?

‘Andnow you know I think Tristan is hot,’ she says, laughing at herself.

‘It’s okay. There are still times when it hitsmehow good-looking he is.’

‘Completely understandable. And on that note… I have a wedding to save, so…’

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