Page 38 of Someone Like You

Freya giggles, then downs a glug of wine. And with that, he’s ‘done a Raff’ and made everything okay simply by being here.

‘So, Raff, how’s the transition to full-time pastry chef going?’ I ask, eager to steer the conversation away from Freya’s (hyperbolised) work issue.

‘Good. I feel a bit manic trying to get my head around everything, though.’

‘Anything we can help with?’ Freya asks.

‘Kind of you, but no. Gabs has been brilliant, helping with my handover at work – and thank you,’ he says, tilting his wine glass towards me.

‘Sure, it was either help make the transition as smooth as possible or throw myself on the floor, wrap my arms around your ankles, and beg you not to leave.’

Raff chuckles.

‘Are you going to apply for Raff’s role?’ Freya asks, as if it’s only just occurred to her.

‘I’ve already recommended her,’ he tells Freya.

‘You’ve— Why’d you do that?’ I ask him.

‘Because you’d smash it. Wait… are you seriously not interested?’ he asks, a deep crease between his brows.

‘OfcourseI am,’ I say, waving him off. Now is not the time to contemplate the trajectory of my career. Tonight is about supporting Freya.

‘Well, you should be. And Claire plans to discuss it with you –soon, Gabs.’

‘Great,’ I say and, thankfully, he doesn’t make anything more of it. I think I do want it – but that’s what makes me nervous. What if I don’t get it? Where will that leave me in the whole pursuing-my-passion endeavour?

‘So!’ I exclaim, signposting a drastic change of subject. ‘What’s up next for the famous pastry chef? Have you been asked to appear onBallroom Battle of the Starsyet?’

‘Hilarious,’ he replies drily.

‘That’s forpropercelebrities, Gaby,’ says Freya, failing (as always) to filter her thoughts before they pop out of her mouth.

‘I can see you’re feeling more like yourself,’ Raff teases her. ‘And no toBallroom Battles,’ he tells me. ‘But Idohave an intensive Food Hygiene Certificate course – levels one to three – this Saturday.’

Freya and I exchange a look, and she scrunches her nose. ‘Sounds, um… fascinating,’ I say.

He raises his eyebrows. ‘Doubtful, but hopefully it won’t be too bad – and I do need to know this stuff.’

Suddenly, I have a brainwave. Jane, the potential match who works for a not-for-profit – it’s an organisation that provides nutritious meals to elderly people who live independently. Maybe she needs to refresh her Food Safety Certification? And even if she doesn’t…

‘Hey, Frey, I need your help,’ I say, leaping up and heading to the kitchen.

‘With what?’ she whines at my back.

‘Freya Nilsen, stop your whining and get your ass in here,’ I call out.

There’s some insolent murmuring from the next room, then she appears in the kitchen doorway. I grab her wrist and pull her closer, then quickly whisper my idea.

‘That’s perfect,’ she whispers back, and I grin at her.

‘What are you two whispering about?’ asks Raff from the doorway. How is he so stealthy for such a tall guy?

I surreptitiously poke Freya so she doesn’t blurt out anything that will ruin this meet cute before it even happens. Instead, she peers up at Raff with those big blue eyes and says, ‘Gaby wanted my thoughts on period pants.’

‘Period pa— Oh.’

There’s a moment of embarrassed silence, then Raff mutters something about more wine, reaching past me to get the bottle, and I crash into him while trying to get out of his way.

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