19. Ollie
Chapter 19
Ollie
My bedroom door swings open, and I hear a stern cough before I’ve even opened my eyes.
I’m wondering what I could have possibly done to piss Megan off in my sleep, when the foot of the bed sinks under the weight of someone climbing on top of it.
I roll onto my back just in time for a small angry blonde woman to launch herself at me, knees straddling my hips, her palms either side of my face. She seems far from pleased to see me.
“Who are you?” I ask, my voice a little croaky from that second bottle of wine.
“I'm the best friend,” she says, her face so close her warm breath tickles my cheek.
“ My best friend?” I rub my eyes, blinking as she comes into focus in the darkness. “Because if I'm not mistaken, I've never seen you before in my life.”
“I used to live here. This used to be my room. Had some great times in here.” She sits back, resting on my thighs as she looks around wistfully. It probably looks pretty bare compared to when she lived here, but it’s more than enough for me.
“Ah, Hattie. So you’re the reason I had to tighten the screws in the bed frame.”
She gives me a sarcastic laugh, then lurches forward, gripping my jaw between her thumb and her fingers. “What are your intentions with Megan?”
“I have no intentions.”
“Liar. Is your penis broken? I’d check,” she says, nodding downwards. “But I’ve got a boyfriend now, so I’ve had to stop looking at other men’s dicks. You can't be living in a house with that absolute fox and not have intentions.”
“I'm a gentleman.”
“Ooh, yes,” she says, eyes flaring. “A gentleman. That would be good for her.”
“Are you trying to set her up?”
“No. Yes. Maybe. We’re not supposed to meddle,” she says, lowering her voice. We stare at each other for a few moments until finally, she lets go of my face and climbs off me. “Get dressed and come and meet the other bestie. We brought pastries.”
I stretch and yawn, cursing the grim weather that greets me when I open the curtains. Rain changes my plans for the van. I’ll have to do something internal and hope it’s not too cold.
I could have slept much longer, and ordinarily I’d stay out of the way if Megan had company, but I’m certain Hattie will come back and shout at me again if I don’t show my face.
Throwing on an old t-shirt and grey sweatpants, I freshen up in the bathroom then head for the living room, where I find my assailant sitting at the dining table with Megan and a third woman.
“Oh my gosh, you must be Ollie.” The brunette brushes crumbs from her fingers before standing to greet me. I shake her hand politely. “I’m Kara. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Good to meet you, too. Morning, Megan.” She gives me a small smile and I don’t miss the blush in her cheeks.
The dining table is laden with pastries, fresh fruit, and, best of all, hot coffee.
“Have you got room for one more?” I ask.
“Oh yes, please join us,” says Kara. “We brought extra for you, but we weren’t sure what you’d like.”
“I wasn’t sure you’d done anything to deserve pastries,” Hattie says. “But Megan here tells us you cooked her dinner last night and ordered tiramisu from Angelo’s. So now I’m confused.”
“Hattie,” Megan warns, and I wonder what else she’s been saying about me.
I pour a coffee with a splash of milk, and help myself to a pain au raisin that’s far nicer than the ones from the supermarket downstairs. “Cheers for this. How’s your head, Megan?”
“Fine. You?”
“Bit foggy.”
“What’s wrong with your heads?” Hattie asks, looking back and forth between us.
“Wine,” we both answer at the same time, and a smile breaks out across her face. It’s a happy smile, but I know there’s a slightly conspiratorial edge to it. A smile that says she and I have a secret.
Except there is no secret. Last night wasn’t anything except two people who live together hanging out, sharing a meal and stories, before going to their separate beds and getting off to the thought of each other on opposite sides of the wall.
That’s assuming it was me who’d gotten Megan all worked up. Obviously, I can’t ask for clarification on that one, but my cock sure wants to think about it. I need to cool it with the fantasises. She’ll kick me out in a heartbeat if I’m caught with a hard-on at breakfast.
“Well, isn’t that all cute and homey” Hattie says, narrowing her eyes at me.
“Megan tells us you’re renovating a van, Ollie?” Kara asks, bringing me back into the conversation. “I’m an interior designer, so I’m very interested in how people transform spaces.”
“That’s cool,” I say. “It’s my first build, so I’m learning a lot as I go.”
“My husband and I…” Kara trails off and the three of them make this weird shrieking noise, wiggling their fingers in unison before she turns back to me. “Sorry, we’re newlyweds. Ish. We’re still not over it. Where was I? Oh yes, my husband owns Sunshine Coffee and Moonshine Bar in town. I managed the renovation there.”
“Oh nice, I’ve been to a few gigs there. It’s a cool place.”
“You have? That’s so wonderful, I’ll tell him. I was going to say I have lots of contacts in the area, and I’m always hunting for stuff for clients at antique fairs. So if there’s anything in particular you’re after, get Megan to give me a shout.”
“That’s really kind of you, thank you.”
While they continue chatting, I learn that Hattie works part time at Moonshine, and that Kara is designing a mural for a local school. Megan doesn't share much, but what she gets up to, what any of these women get up to, is none of my business. While I appreciate the breakfast invitation, I know Megan will be more comfortable spending this time with just her friends.
I make my excuses, head for the shower, and definitely don’t do anything stupid like sniff her shampoo or use her body wash so I can smell like her all day.