Page 89 of Roommates

‘There’s no way I’m missing it,’ I assure Tim.

When we’ve finished breakfast, I take leisurely strides to delay going back home to Ariella. I walk into her as I let myself in.

‘Hi.’

‘Hey, Caleb. I’m going home to spend time with Mommy and Daddy till Tuesday. I want to see them before I fly out Wednesday.’

She smiles at me; maybe she’s back to her old self again.

‘Say hi to Dahlia for me.’ I smile back at her.

‘I will. Anything in the fridge is fair game and there are many options in the top drawer of the freezer, so please dig in. I’m playing with the bits in the middle drawer, and the bottom drawer is just full of raw ingredients. If you use anything from the bottom, can you make a note so that I can replace it?’

‘Sure.’ We both know that is not going to happen.

‘Have fun.’ She waves as she leaves the flat.

I hit the shower and catch up on some work. My sales figures are solid, my regions are performing well and the trip to San Francisco is beginning to shift projects across nicely. There’s been a small uptick of projects from Singapore, but not as big as I would like. It’s too soon to go back, though. I spend time going through my quieter accounts and putting a contact strategy together for them. When I look up, the sun is setting and the flat is eerily quiet. I reach for my phone.

‘Qu’est-ce que tu veux?!’ she barks down the phone.

‘Don’t be like that, Nicole.’

‘I see you’ve found my phone number…again!’

‘It’s a Sunday, let’s not fight—’

‘Why not?’

‘Do you want to come over and fight instead?’

‘No. I’ve entertained that Barbarella enough.’

Nicole knows exactly what her name is. I shouldn’t, but one of the things I like about Nicole is that she can be petty. I don’t correct her either.

‘She’s not here for a few days, so I thought we could spend some proper time together. I’ll make you dinner and you can really tell me off if you want,’ I offer happily.

‘I’m glad you’re amused. I’m not.’

‘Come on, Nicole. I’ve missed you.’

‘I’m not sleeping with you.’ She is softening.

‘Agreed. Let’s hang out, watch some TV. I’ll sleep on the couch, you can have my bed.’

‘…And you can’t do the thing with the finger.’ She sounds serious.

‘I won’t do the thing with the finger.’ I am enjoying this.

She goes silent, thinking about it. I go for the clincher.

‘There’s a lovely Pauillac here waiting for you. I’ll decant it before you get here.’ It’s Ariella’s wine, so it’s probably expensive, but I’ll replace it.

‘Why are you being so nice?’

‘I told you. I’ve missed you.’

‘Fine. I’ll see you in an hour.’

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