Page 42 of A Seaside Escape
‘Am I allowed to hug you?’ he asked, opening his arms. ‘I think I made a total balls up of the last time I hugged you. You know? The incident I now like to call “Chalkboard-gate”. I cringe whenever I think about it. What a complete tube.’ He laughed, shaking his head.
She walked into his open arms for a hug and he embraced her briefly but strongly.
‘Thanks again, Greg. You are a really goodfriend,’ she told him, looking directly in his eyes as she said it.
‘Aye, you’re not so bad yourself, matey.’
She reached up and kissed his cheek. His sandalwood cologne filled her nostrils and her heart did a strange skip as she shivered again.What the heck is wrong with me?She was immediately angry with herself for even noticing his cologne, let alone allowing it to have any kind of effect on her.
She pulled away and said goodnight before grabbing Josie so they could make their way home. Mallory walked so fast that Josie’s little legs could only just keep up. Brad managed quite easily, but did ask what the rush was about. Mallory didn’t answer.
When they got inside, Josie whispered something to Brad who went out to the van, which he had moved to Mallory’s house at some point during the evening. He collected their bags and took them straight up to the guest room that they had claimed as theirs last time they were there.
Josie stood arms folded as Mallory removed her denim jacket and hung it up on the coat pegs by the door. ‘Right, missy, spill the beans will you.’
‘What are you on about?’ Mallory knew exactly what she was getting at, but didn’t want to talk about it.
Josie tapped her foot like she did when she was annoyed. ‘You know very well what I mean. Something’s up with you and I want to know what it is.’
‘Josie, if you have something to say, just say it.’ Mallory didn’t want to be the first.
‘You’ve been a bit distant ever since Greg sang that last song,’ she pointed out accusingly.
‘Yeah? So? It was weird; he was looking at me as he sangthatline.’
‘What line?’
Tears began to sting Mallory’s eyes and she raised her voice. ‘You know what line!’
‘Why don’t you remind me?’ Josie demanded.
Mallory sighed, running her shaking hands through her hair. ‘The line that talks about falling in love.Thatbloody line! All right?’ Tears escaped her eyes and slid, unwelcomed, down her face.
Josie threw her hands up in exasperation. ‘I knew it. I bloody knew it. And now you’re worrying you’ve led him on, or what people will think if they notice he has feelings for you, and what Sam’s family will think if they notice? Am I right?’
Mallory nodded and a sob escaped her lips as she slumped onto the sofa.
‘Mallory, you are not…’ she tilted Mallory’s chin so that she looked at her. ‘Hey, listen to me, you arenotresponsible for other people falling for you. Well… you are a bit because you’re so lovely… but that’s not what I mean… what I mean is people can’t helpwhothey fall in love with orwhenit happens. It’s notyour fault. It doesn’t mean you have to reciprocate. And it doesn’t mean you’re betraying Sam in any way. Do you understand?’
Mallory wiped her eyes and nodded. ‘Idounderstand, but I really like Greg and I don’t want to hurt him. I may be totally missing the mark here anyway. Maybe it was just a coincidence that he looked at me? Maybe I’m wrong. He does keep saying I’m his best friend and he keeps calling me “matey” so I could be imagining it?’
Josie sat beside her friend and put her arm around her shoulders. Mallory had always been guilty of putting other’s feelings before her own.
‘Mally, honeybun, Brad and I saw him looking at you on more than one occasion tonight. He threw the party for you; he arranged everyone to come. He somehow managed to get people here fromCanadafor goodness’ sake; he arranged the food; he learned all your favourite songs. He bought that beautiful necklace. I’m sorry to be the one to pass on the news, babe, but he’s smitten.’
The undesired words hit Mallory like a ton of bricks and she burst into tears again. She was sure that this was the end of their friendship. After all, she didn’t feel the same. She couldn’t.
