Page 43 of The Loneliest Number
“If you need anything, let me know.” I stoop a little to try and meet her gaze, but she’s busy mixing Saff’s outrageous drink. “We just popped in for one to make arrangements for tomorrow if you’re still keen for brunch and that tour. Can you make it?”
She scrunches up her face for a moment, clearly deep in thought, before glancing up at me. “I think so. Can I say yes, but let you know if anything changes?”
“Aye, of course. You’ve got my number. Just call if you need to. Any time you like.”
We agree on a local café and a time, while she hands me the drinks with a grateful smile.
“I know you’re super busy, but if you get a spare moment, Saffy would love to say hi.”.
“I promise I’ll try. I’d love to say hello.”
“I didn’t tell her your name. I thought you’d want to do it.”
She presses her lips together and something clouds in her eyes for a moment before she shakes it loose. “You didn’t have to keep it a secret. But thank you. I appreciate you checking with me first.”
I take the drinks over to Saff and we take our time with them. The crush at the bar seems to go on forever and we’re chatting, heads close together, when I sense someone approaching in my periphery.
I glance up and Abby stands at the opposite side of the leaner.
“Hey, needed to do a glass collection run, so thought I’d pop over.”
“Pixie,” Saff exclaims as she steps down from the stool to round the table and draws Abby into a hug. “I’m so happy to see you. What a strange coincidence that you and Cam found each other again. I can’t wait to get to know you better this weekend.” Saff is talking at a million words a minute, leaving Abby looking a little stunned.
“Take a breath, Saff,” I remind her with amusement.
“Sorry, I’m just excited.”
“It’s all good. My name is Abby, by the way. Cam said he kept my secret, but I want you to know.”
“Abby? That suits you. Cam says you’re coming to meet us in the morning before your shift?”
“Hopefully, all being well. I’ve been dying to get the full tour of the building. Cam said he’d tell me as soon as it was ready.” She throws me side-eye, causing me to chuckle into my pint.
“Well, I’m glad we get to see it together.” Saff seems almost too enthusiastic here. There’s a strange awkwardness that I can’t quite put my finger on.What the hell is going on?
“Really hope to see you both in the morning, but I really need to head off now and collect those glasses.” She raps her knuckles on the leaner table in farewell and is soon swallowed up in the crowd.
Saff takes a seat and I take a long look at her.
“What?” she questions, swallowing the last of her drink and downing the Prosecco shot on the side.
“You’re being weird. What’s going on?”
“I wasn’t trying to be.” A blush creeps up her cheeks. She bites her bottom lip for a moment before continuing, “The truth is, I’m a bit jealous.” Her gaze drops to the table. I follow it down and see her ripping up a napkin.
“Jealous of who, Saff?” I prompt.
“You’ve reconnected with Pixie, which is awesome. But I really fucking miss you, Cam. It’s been pretty shit since you left. And I miss your friendship and your company. When you said you’d found her, I felt this swell of jealousy that she gets to spend time with you when I miss you so much. I know we’ve always just been friends with benefits and agreed we didn’t want more, but it’s been hard with you gone.” The tears from earlier this afternoon well in her eyes again. Dread sinks into my stomach. I should have made effort.
I draw in a breath, wrapping an arm around her and bringing her close to my side. She looks so lost right now, and it breaks my heart. “Saff, friendship doesn’t disappear because of distance. I’m sorry I haven’t been keeping in touch as often as I should. I was so caught up in the building and all the work thatneeded to be done, but that’s not an excuse. I want to be a good friend to you, even if we are five hundred miles apart.”
“I want that, too. I need a friend right now, Cam.” She sniffs as she burrows into my side. She’s always been so confident in the past and not afraid to ask for what she wants. I’m worried that she’s so down right now.
“Let’s head back to the hotel, and this time, no excuses. You’re going to fill me in with what’s been happening while I’ve been down here.”
“Okay,” she mumbles before drawing away and wiping her eyes as we get ready to leave. I glance towards the bar as we make our way out, and there’s a break in the crowd. Abby’s there, a neutral expression on her face. I lift my hand in a wave, and savour the satisfaction when she waves back. Something is going on with her this week though, and I make a mental note to get to the bottom of that tomorrow. But first, it’s time to be a friend to Saff.
We’re back in the suite, Saff and I lounging around in our pyjamas a short time later. I ordered us some tea from room service on the way up to the room, and we sit, taking sips.
