“What difference is there?”
Oh, what the hell. Does it make a difference? Should it? I don’t think so. It makes no sense, either way. So why do I feel like I’m making a scene?
“None, I guess.”
Can I be more foolish than this?
“Then what are we even talking about?”
Nothing, I don’t think. I don’t know. I just know that he shouldn’t have kissed me and used me in that way. I don’t like the way it makes me feel, and I don’t like the way I’m pointing it out to him.
“Maybe it’s best if we go.”
“Oh… Sure.” Bitterness floods into my stomach now, as well as my voice. “Whatever.”
He sticks his hand into his pocket and pulls out the car keys.
“Do you still want to drop me home?”
“I think that’s the best idea, yeah.”
He hands the keys to me and I accept, and we walk towards the car park. We climb inside and sit in awkward, angry silence, heading home.
He obviously gives me directions. I just concentrate on getting him home in one piece, refusing to break my silence.
I park on the road and we both get out of the car. I hand him back his keys and pull my phone from my pocket to call a cab. The operator tells me that there’s one nearby, and it’ll be with me in less than five minutes.
“You don’t need to wait with me. I know you’re tired.”
He nods, hands in his pockets, his tie loosened and jacket open.
“Well, thanks for tonight.”
He looks at me funny. “What?”
“You invited me, came to pick me up. I ate, drank, chatted… It was a nice evening, in spite of everything. So, thanks.”
“Are you serious?”
“Absolutely. Aside from the exceptions, I mean.”
I can’t believe I said that, and he can’t believe that I’m being so sincere. I know from the inappropriately sexy grin forming on his mouth.
A car pulls in behind his.
“That must be my taxi.”
He studies me.
“So… Night.”
I leave him standing on the pavement outside his building and climb into the cab, giving the driver my address and watching as he pulls away. The image of Eric flickers slowly against my window as I lean back into the seat, exhausted and confused, but finally alone, finally safe.
9Eric
When I pull my phone from my pocket and see her name flash up on the screen, I know it won’t be good news.
“Hey, I’m at work, so I can’t…”
