Page 166 of The Unlikely Pair

I vaguely know the direction of the library, although whenever I’m in a royal palace, I feel like I should have a mapand a compass, or at least a trail of breadcrumbs to find my way back.

I can’t help thinking about the last time I visited Clarence House. The morning of the plane crash. Right before my life was turned upside down in every way possible.

I find Oliver in the library, reading a dusty tome potentially as old as the monarchy itself.

He stands and gives me a brief hug, which is definitely a new feature of Oliver’s and my exchanges since I returned. It’s like he needs to assure himself I am really here.

“Thanks for coming,” he says.

“When am I ever going to give up the chance to come to a palace and see you in all your splendor?” I ask as I sit in an elegantly carved armchair.

Oliver’s phone beeps, and he pulls it out, his usually stern face splitting open in a wide smile.

“Good news?” I ask.

He gives a sheepish grin. “It’s just Callum. He’s obviously bored in the car and peppering me with really bad origami jokes.”

He flashes the screen in front of me to show Callum’s latest joke.

I used to like origami as a hobby. But I gave up as it was a lot of paperwork.

“You guys have a really weird form of sexting,” I say.

Oliver laughs, and something in his laugh strikes me. The sound of absolute contentment.

Seeing my old friend so happy causes a pang inside me.

He gave up politics for love. Why can’t you?

Because the problem is even if I give up politics, I still won’t be able to be with Harry.

“It works for us,” he says, putting his phone down. “So, how is everything going on the Climate Change Task Force?”

“Good. I think we’re making real progress, especially with the new renewable energy initiatives.”

“And have you kicked off your campaign for re-election yet?”

“Yes. I’ll be visiting my electorate more in the next few months, but the polling is looking good so far.”

I try to summon enthusiasm, but I don’t want to think about the looming election. I don’t want to consider how it will sweep the man I love even further out of my reach.

“Are you all right, Toby?” Oliver’s voice is gentle.

I’m tempted to joke in my answer, to cover up my feelings with humor like I always have.

But it occurs to me that this is what friendship is supposed to be, this give and take. Leaning on people for support when you need it. I’m not a lone wolf, no matter how the events in my past have made me want to be.

And if I’m going to get through this, get over Harry somehow, then I’m going to need all the support I can get.

“I wouldn’t say I’m particularly all right at the moment,” I reply.

“Is it adjusting back to real life that’s the problem?” Oliver asks, his dark eyes intent on my face.

I take a deep breath.

“It’s adjusting to life withouthim,” I say honestly.

Oliver’s eyebrows draw together. The silence stretches for a few heartbeats. “I thought I’d set the bar extremely high for being in a completely untenable relationship, but it appears you’ve outdone me,” he says finally.