“Um, hello, hold up a minute,” she says as she digests my words. “Wind it back a bit. Gerwyn isn’t the main event here, no matter how awesome he is, because what the hell? Ant’s coming back to the UK? To be with you? Oh my God, Cass. That’s amazing!”
I feel emotional enough that I have to fight to keep my breath steady as the truth of it hits me in the ribs.
“He said he doesn’t want to be away from me,” I share. “He’s ready to move back here, no matter what it costs in his career. He doesn’t care. He says I’m worth it.”
“Holy crap, that’s dedication! Don’t you dare even think of telling me he won’t be proposing soon. He’s probably got the ring poised and ready to go.”
My soul feels bare on display, the full force of my love bringing tears to my eyes.
“Really, Janie. I still can’t believe it. It’s crazy to think someone like him wants me like this… I never thought it could happen.”
She’s shaking her head. “No, Cass. It isn’t crazy. It’s not crazy at all. He’s totally in love with you, and he should be. You’re everything a guy like him could need.”
I only wish I had the confidence to tell her exactly what Ant needs from me, and how much I’m hoping I can live up to that, no matter how hard it may seem. He’s already told me he has another dirty night lined up for me, he just hasn’t told me when.
Janie pulls me into a hug, and it’s a lovely feeling, to have a friend like her. Gerwyn’s voice is still sounding out from my PC as we hug like we’ve been friends our whole lives.
“Please, God,” she says. “Please, PLEASE, give me even half a chance to get to know Bob from across your landing and get a boyfriend that’s friends with yours. It would be the greatest fairy tale ever.”
“You’ll get plenty of opportunity to get to know him, I promise. Ant says Gerwyn’s flying back here later this week. The first run of many to get himself set back up in the UK.”
She breaks the hug. “And you’ll make sure I’m the first girl to see him, right?”
“Hell yes.”
I don’t add that Ant said how I needn’t worry about Gerwyn hooking up with someone else first, since Janie is the first person Gerwyn’s really shown an interest in since he’s known him.
Janie and I turn our attention back to him presenting onscreen, and I try to imagine her with him, both of them loved up and happy together. It would be bliss upon bliss for all four of us. Double dates galore.
“When do you think I’ll be able to meet my future date, then?” she asks, and I opt for optimism, since the universe seems to be running at full-on kindness levels right now.
“Who knows? Maybe even this weekend, since Ant says he’s so mega keen I’d keep your evenings free, if I were you.”
“I will do.”
She calls up a new tab on my PC.
“Time to get browsing for potential outfits, then. I want to look as hot as I possibly can.”
My attention is on her and not on the browser as she looks at my screen, because there’s no need for her to pick out an impressive dress for anyone. She has so much enthusiasm in her eyes and her gorgeous, happy smile, and so much cuteness in the waves of her light blonde hair.
Janie won’t need anything but herself to make an impression on Gerwyn the crusader… and her fund-raising efforts for G.A.T.A. sure won’t do her any harm.
Gerwyn
Anthony Bradstone, king of arrogance, has already flown back to the UK when I finish up my notes on the Islay project on Friday morning. He’s been nothing but a prick by announcing last minute that I have a flight this afternoon to join him, and nothing but an absolute fucking asshole to announce I have a double date night at Hanley Hall this evening on the back of it.
I work on the plane as much as I can to make back the loss of my afternoon in the office, but I’m still going to have a load to catch up on.
I’ve already got my car waiting at the Birmingham office, so throw my case in the back seat and set off for Malvern. Damn the afternoon traffic, since I’ll have an hour tops to say hello to Cass before we’re out for the evening. I don’t know what the hell Ant was thinking to organise it, since he knows I’ve got piles of reporting and client liaisons to schedule.
He must be busy in his office upstairs when I pull into the driveway, as it’s Cass who sees my car and rushes out onto the porch with a wave. There’s no sign of him when I step inside with my case.