Page 84 of Be More Octopus

'Thanks for the sandwich, darling um, Em'.

Darling? Em needed a consultation with Lucy and fast.

CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

'You look like you've got all the worries of the world on your shoulders, ' Lucy said as Em walked into the living room of her flat. 'What's wrong?'

'I'm an idiot. I've just given the game away that I've read one of Jack's text messages.' She filled Lucy in on what had happened.

'He called you “darling”? Isn't that a good thing?'

'Not when he immediately regretted it. The mysterious Daisy called him darling too. He was thinking about her. I'm just so confused. I don't know what to think any more.'

'This has got to be the most complicated non-relationship ever. We need to go back to basics. Do you still fancy him?'

'Yes. I've always fancied him since that very first day.'

Lucy raised her eyebrows.

'I never said I didn't fancy him, just that I didn't want a new relationship.'

'Do you want him?'

'I didn't at first. I didn't trust anyone after being blindsided by Connor. And I thought Jack wasn't available. But since then, I've grown to enjoy being with him. He makes me feel safe and cared for. And there's still that massive heart-racing spark whenever I'm near him. He was even in my head when I was with Karl. Then we danced with Jason and Luke last night, and I suddenly felt young and free again.'

'So Jack doesn't make you feel young and free?'

'No. I suppose it's because he's older. We do calm grown-up things. We're friends.'

'Because he friend-zoned you. So is Luke a better bet?'

'He made me laugh, but there wasn't that spark. I'm sure we'd have fun. I’d have given Luke a chance if I hadn’t met Jack. But I want to see where that chemistry with Jack leads when we let it. Otherwise, I'll regret it. I've never had that feeling with anyone else other than Jack.'

‘So Jack's in the lead over Luke. Does Jack fancy you?'

'I think he does. We've had several moments where I thought he was going to kiss me, but he always backed away from it. He was distant after Isabella's threats. But he was very proprietorial last night around Luke. And then there's what Mark said this morning, which implied he did want me to be his girlfriend.'

'So what's stopping him from making you his girlfriend?'

'Perhaps he's gone off me, but the other evidence doesn't suggest that. Or, as he's said before, he wants to get the divorce sorted before he gets into another relationship.'

'If he's flirting with other women and giving them his phone number, he's ready. Or he's trying to make you jealous to see if you're ready.'

'Daisy might just be a family friend?'

'I think you're clutching at straws there. She's calling him “darling” and asking him out. Have you checked their Instagram feeds?'

'Whose?'

'Jack's and Mark's?'

'No. I've only just found out about her.'

Lucy was already tapping away on her phone. Em looked over her shoulder. The last post from Jack was from the trip to Dartmoor. A photo of the house and some teaser text about his new book. But he kept it strictly work-related, so that wasn't a surprise. Nothing in his stories.

'Now for Mark, ' said Lucy. 'Much more interesting.'

Mark had shared one photo from last night - a picture of him and Jack, arms around one another. Jack had a pint in his hand. It was broad daylight, so it must have been early evening. The caption read, 'Back home with my best buddy'.