“Yes?” she prompts.
What was I saying?
“Oh, erm. I’m really sorry for you know…the pranks. The implication that you’re a sad cat lady. It was mean…”
And so far from the truth.
To my surprise, she laughs. “Hey, from your side of the wall, I’m sure I seemed like a basket case. If I’d known you could hear that movie…”
She trails off. Now it’s my turn to prompt her. “You’d what?”
“Well, I’d still have watched it every night. But maybe a bit more quietly? With subtitles?” She shrugs, giving a light, self-deprecating laugh.
“You really love that movie, huh?”
Another pause, while she sips her wine, lost in thought. “I went through a breakup…”
Well, I’d figured as much.
“A couple of months ago, so I know I should be over it. Over him. But then this last week I had to see him with his new girlfriend and…”
“Why did you have to see him?”
Her eyes are sad as she blinks away tears. “We work together. Big mistake, I know. And so, Friday night was our company Christmas party, and he was there with her. And they weren’t like rubbing it in my face or anything, they’re just so in love, it was…painful to see.”
“He sounds like a jerk.”
A sad smile tilts her lips up at the edges. “He’s not. He’s just a guy who found his person, you know?” Her eyes peer deep into mine and I wonder if I do know. If that’s what’s happening right now. “And the worst part? I knew he was in love with her when he was with me. I tried to ignore it, but it was obvious. The only people who didn’t know Oliver was in love with Lilly were Oliver and Lilly.”
Man, those two people suck.
“He still sounds like a jerk. Want me to kill him?”
Her laughter is light and sounds like fairy bells tinkling.When did I start thinking like this?
“Nah, he’s fine. He can’t help who he was in love with. Once he knew, he broke up with me. It’s just hard with the holidays…you know?”
I nod. “Hence,Love Actually. What do you like about that movie so much?”
She tilts her head, closing her eyes in contemplation. “I love that it’s realistic and hopeful at the same time. Not everyone gets their happily ever after, you know? But everyone is OK at the end. That makes me feel better than a soppy rom-com where love conquers all.”
I’d seen and heard most of the movie by this stage and had never thought of it like that. “Well, then I’m very sorry for ruining it for you by implying what I did.”
“And I’m sorry for torturing you with it for so long. Truly, I had no idea you could hear me through the wall.”
“It’s fine. You’re fine.” More than fine. “Keep watching it for as long as you need.”
She gazes straight at me and a smile as bright as the Australian sun grows on her lips until I’m almost blinded by it. By her.
“I don’t think I need it anymore.”
I swallow hard, my heart racing, and I offer her a smile of my own, until we are both sitting there smiling at each other like lovesick fools.
“So,” she finally breaks the moment. “Are you going to be home alone tomorrow as well?”
“I am.”
She pauses, biting her lip again. “Would you like to come over for Christmas lunch?”
