I open my eyes slowly and let them land on my friend. I can’t see him clearly without my glasses, but I can tell even now that his expression is smug, his smile satisfied.
“Just this once,” I say quickly.
I don’t want to start a landslide of favours like this.
“Absolutely.”
“And I know I’ll never like him.”
This is a very important point, and something I can’t go back on – not even for all the love I feel for Jake.
“That’s fine.”
“And don’t even try to set us up or whatever.”
“Not even as friends?”
“I’m not joking.”
He raises his hands.
“I don’t understand why you’re being so reticent.”
“I don’t understand how you can use that word.”
“You’re not funny.”
“I wasn’t trying to be. I’m boring, you see. That’s why your friend wants me to meet potential investors – they’ll know I’m not someone you can just fool around with.”
“How do you know…?”
“I guessed. I know his type.”
“I don’t think you really know what you’re dealing with.”
“And trust me, I don’t want to.”
“I don’t understand why the two of you can’t just be friends, the way you and I are – the way he and I are.”
“Because things are fine as they are and I don’t want to complicate anything.”
“If you say so…” He sits back down, then glances at the test I’m marking.
“At least give him a B.”
“At most, this is worth a C. Probably worse.”
“I told you, you’re a sadist.”
“I’m impartial.”
“You’re a dick.”
“If that’s what you want to call it…”
“I bet your students hate you.”
“Maybe, but my courses are always full.”
