Page 16 of Praising Haru

I roll my eyes.

“I didn’t think you had a partner. Is there something I don’t know?” Mick asks.

“I don’t. I’m talking to a friend.”

“Oh, a friend.” Rob presses his tongue against the inside of his cheek suggestively.

“Yes, a friend. Not everyone thinks with their cock twenty-four-seven.” I rub my knuckles against the top of his head.

“Nor do I. I take at least eight hours off to sleep.”

We laugh. My phone beeps, pulling my attention away from my friends.

My parents think I should move back to Leeds while I look for a new job.

Are you thinking about it?

I dunno. It would be sensible financially, but it would feel like I failed.

There’s no shame in accepting help.

Funny. Mum said the same thing.

Then we must be right, and you should listen.

Why am I encouraging him to move back to Leeds? It’s not as if it makes a difference to me. Except we’d be in the same city. We could meet up for an in-person drink. Would he want to?

“And now you’re staring into space,” Mick says.

“I told you he’s loved up,” Rob says.

“I am not.”

Listen and do as you say?

It’s hard to breathe. What the hell? It was an innocent enough question, but it made my pulse pick up. How do I reply?

I’ll think about it. My current plan is to send my CV to every fashion house in London and see if any of them bite.

You don’t need to be in London to apply for jobs there.

I know, but it would be easier to go to interviews.

What would cost less? Paying rent on a flat near London or commuting down there for interviews?

Commuting.

That’s your answer, isn’t it?

Yeah, I guess it is.

Still not sure?

I don’t know anyone in Leeds anymore.

You know me.

“And it’s time to get back to it,” Mick says.