Maple syrup trickled down Jazz’s chin as she wolfed the waffles I’d just made. It was six o’clock in the morning. Monday. We’d decided to come to the diner for one last breakfast together, before it opened. I leant forward and wiped her face with a napkin.
‘This time tomorrow you’ll be eating those surrounded with bacon and sausages in some amazing New York café,’ I said. My mouth felt parched, despite the silky mouthful of syrup I’d just swallowed. Life here without Jazz. It was hard to imagine. No more popcorn sleepovers or heartfelt chats. No more teasing her about littering her floor with her bras and underpants.
She looked up. ‘Nothing will beat Polka Dot Diner – these are scrumptious.’ She put down her fork, glugged back some coffee and then let out a contented sigh. However, within seconds her eyes filled – a rare occurrence.
‘Mikey…’
‘I know, angel-face’ I said, voice sounding all rough.
‘It’s not just your cooking I’ll miss. Who’s going to be honest about whether my bum looks big or cheer me up by doing his terrible David Beckham impression?’
A lump rose in my throat. ‘Spring in New York is supposed to be beautiful. I’ll try to get over in a couple of months for all the Big Apple gossip.’
She reached across the table. We held hands. Her sleeve slipped back, revealing her watch.
‘Dave will be here any second,’ she said.
‘I can’t believe that doofus got up so early, to take you to the airport.’ I smiled.
Jazz smiled back. ‘You should have seen him dancing Saturday night. He’s clearly got lots more energy than either of us imagined.’ She shook her head. ‘In fact, he was fantastic. That Theo must be a hard taskmaster.’
‘He is!’ I said and laughed. Okay, so Jazz and Dave were leaving together… It had been a shock but yesterday I’d got some perspective – especially after my chat with comforting Theo, late the night before. The two of them belonged together, wherever that might be in the world. I’d said as much to Jazz and such a weird expression had crossed her face and she’d given me the tightest of hugs.
Her cheeks tinged pink. ‘It must have been a shock, hearing that Dave was moving with me as well.’
I stared at her. Here we go again. She’d said as much, several times yesterday. What was going on?
‘Don’t worry about me,’ I said brightly. ‘As I’ve told you, I do have other friends! And I can visit. It’s all good.’
She nodded. Stared for a second. Took a deep breath. ‘Why didn’t you tell me? I would have understood.’
‘Understood what?’ I said, stomach in knots, perspiration breaking out on my palms.
Silence. Then she leant forwards and brushed back my fringe. I’d been in such a rush this morning, I hadn’t applied enough gel.
‘Nothing. I’m just being silly,’ she said.
But my stomach scrunched up tight. What if she knew?
At that moment the door flew open and her boyfriend walked across the black and white tiled floor, whistling out-of-tune.
‘Remind me why I agreed to get up at this inhumane time,’ he said.
My head span. Jazz. All this time. Why hadn’t she said anything? Oh my God. She must have guessed.
‘You all right, mate?’ said Dave and clapped me on the back.
‘Never better.’ My eyes widened. ‘Wow. I can’t believe it. You’ve finally ditched that old coat. Glad you took my advice.’
He shrugged. ‘Gotta smarten up my act if I’m going to New York. In fact, why don’t you come over there, soon, and take me shopping?’
Jazz giggled. ‘Sorry – but this is going to take a while to get used to, you guys being friends.’ She stared at me again. ‘Why don’t you take a photo of him, Mikey? We need this new coat recorded, for posterity. You can look at it when we’re gone. It will remind you that change isn’t always a bad thing.’
Dave grinned and rubbed a hand across his unshaven chin.
Heat surged into my face. Jazz nodded at me. Again we exchanged unspoken words. Cue Dave posing by the glass counter, with the new toy American classic cars on top. I took the shot and then he headed over to Jazz.
‘Time to go.’ Dave looked at me. ‘Fancy coming over for a meal tomorrow night, Mikey? If I follow Jazz to New York–’
‘It’s a done deal already,’ she said, eyes twinkling for a second.
Dave smiled. ‘There is some stuff I won’t want to take that you might like. Nothing fancy, just some kitchenware and a bit of furniture.’
‘You? Cooking?’ With mock horror I shook my head.
‘Go on,’ said Jazz. ‘Make the most of him whilst he’s here.’
I swallowed. ‘Thanks Dave, sounds great.’
Jazz stood up, came over and looked up. She slipped her arms around my neck and I lifted her off the ground, whilst I gave her a hug.
‘I’m sorry,’ I whispered in her ear. ‘Why didn’t you say anything?’
She kissed my cheek. ‘I wasn’t sure until this week. And don’t apologise. I know there was no malicious intent, proven by your efforts with Dave to create the perfect proposal he wanted.’
‘Come on you two lovebirds,’ said Dave.
Jazz stepped back, a tear trickling down her cheek. ‘We’ll Skype this week – have a proper chat.’
I nodded. ‘Yes. We need to. So that I can explain about…’
She put a finger up to my lips and winked.
‘See you tomorrow night, mate,’ said Dave, as he picked up Jazz’s case.
Then they were gone, leaving just me, the chrome stools, the glossy red gumball machine… I sat staring at my phone – at the picture of Dave – and my chin wobbled. My eyes pricked. Tears streamed down my cheeks.
I looked up as the door clicked open and quickly wiped my face with my sleeve.
‘Theo?’ Wow. He looked hot. Loved the fit of that tailored black leather jacket. My heart squeezed as he gave the cutest smile and squeezed tighter as I saw concern in his eyes.
‘Mikey. How are you doing?’ He strolled over and gave me hug.
‘What are you doing here?’ I said.
‘Hey, can’t a man get a coffee, without the Spanish Inquisition?’
I smiled.
‘And what about some music to liven this place up?’ He headed over to the jukebox. A minute later, Elvis was singing. ‘Jeez, have you nothing more modern?’
‘You’ve no taste!’ I said, without looking at him. My chest felt lighter inside.
When I carried over two coffees to the table, Theo had stacked the dirty waffle plates and was staring at my phone.
‘Saw you studying that from outside,’ he said, gently. ‘A photo? Have the pair of them just left?’
‘Yep. Look, um, thanks for listening when I called you Saturday night…’ I gave a sheepish smile. ‘Don’t know why I rang you when I heard Dave was leaving as well. Guess… guess I just find you easy to talk to. By the end of the call I felt so much more relaxed, inside and out. You…’
‘What?’
I shrugged. ‘You’re dead easy to talk to, Theo – it usually takes me longer to open up to someone I don’t know well. Plus, all this stuff with Dave – how much things have improved since we’ve been honest with each other… It’s reminded me just how damaging it can be to be inward-looking and not share worries and feelings with other people.’
Theo took off his jacket, sipped his coffee and then moved his chair around the table, so that he was right next to me. ‘Then why don’t you take the next step and really confide in me,’ he said in the softest of tones. He slipped both arms around my shoulders, leant forward and gave me a long hug. As he leant back, my heart pounded. Heat surged through my veins. I hadn’t enjoyed an embrace like that for a long time.
‘What do you mean? What was that for?’ I managed to blurt out.
Theo jerked his head at the phone. ‘I know. About you and Dave. You’ve had a thing for him, no?’
My mouth fell open.
‘How long?’ said Theo.
My ears burned hot. ‘Over a year. How could you tell?’
‘Just the way you were around him. Watching him when he didn’t know. Smiling at little things he did that no one else will think anything about.’
My brow furrowed.
‘Like the way he punches the air when he’s pleased with himself. How he’s so polite – let’s other people through a door first, whether they are a man or a woman. I can see the appeal…’
‘He’s my best friend’s guy, though. How disloyal is that?’ I stared at the floor.
Okay. Sorry, I kept this from you. I’ve really wanted to confide but… but it’s been difficult to face and blocking it out has seemed to be the best policy, up until now. It’s true. My unrequited love has been rough and ready Dave – my best friend’s man. How bad is that? Oh, I’ve tried to fight it – and kept my distance from him. But it was no use. I secretly loved the fact he stubbornly wore that old coat and his awkward dance moves in the old days, it made him even more endearing. And yes – okay perhaps I’m oversharing now – but I found straight, half-unshaven, solid Dave sexy stuff. Plus hardworking, loyal… I sighed. And dearest Jazz… she knew.
Gently, Theo reached forward and with his hand lifted my chin, so that our eyes met. ‘Been there too, my friend. Three years ago. Next door’s son. He was a couple of years older than me. A gardener. Always chatty. Always taking his top off in the summer, to mow his parents’ lawn.’ He shrugged. ‘It was hard. But finally I met someone else and moved on.’
‘Funny, isn’t it? This week I finally got to know Dave, but instead of it bolstering my feelings, the crush has kind of weakened. I mean… he makes the BIGGEST mess in the kitchen, when he cooks, and the way he closes his eyes now, when dancing on his own… it’s kind of sweet, but doesn’t set me on fire. Nor does that hairy chest!’
Theo gave a wry smile. ‘You mean the fantasy has become reality and isn’t as perfect as you thought?’
‘Perhaps. Don’t get me wrong – it was hard to hear that he was leaving, but… but it didn’t keep me awake last night. In a way it was a relief. These tears… It’s hard to explain – perhaps they signal the end of a chapter. I’ll miss him but it’s not the tragic outcome it could have been, for me.’ I put my hands over my face. ‘The worst thing is that Jazz has worked it out. We’re Skyping this week. She must think me totally two-faced, having feelings for her boyfriend.’
Theo moved my hands away from my face, keeping hold of one. ‘Nonsense. You did everything you could to keep your distance from Dave, to the point where he thought you didn’t like him, right?’
‘I suppose.’
‘Plus you helped him win her back. You’ve remained loyal to Jasmine, don’t worry about that.’ Theo’s cheeks tinged pink. ‘I’m here for you, Mikey. Whenever you need to chat. Or dance. Or go out drinking. Or… or if you just need a hug…’
I swallowed and squeezed his hand. ‘Thanks. That means a lot. But… what’s surprised me most about this last week is…’ My cheeks burned now. ‘I think it’s going to be easier to get over Dave than I’d have ever thought.’
‘How come?’
‘I’ve met someone new who’s rather special, and I’m hoping that… that he’ll let me make him dinner, sometime soon; that there might be something solid between us. Who knows…’
‘Lucky guy,’ said Theo in a flat voice and let go of my hand. ‘Where did you meet him?’ He bit his lip and my heart thudded as I cleared my throat.
‘At his dance studio. He’s a teacher, you see. With the edgiest moves and most captivating, Florida blue eyes and – best of all – he has the biggest, most caring heart I’ve met in a while.’
Theo raised his eyebrows, mouth upturned, and we gazed at each other for several seconds. ‘I can’t promise he’ll ever like Elvis,’ he murmured.
‘How about John Travolta?’
Eyes sparkling, Theo gave the widest of smiles and slipped an arm around my shoulder.