20. Freddie
Freddie
I didn’t mean to sleep at Cole’s, but I was so wiped from all the excitement that I absolutely crashed.
I press my face into the sheets and draw in a deep breath, hunting for any trace of her scent.
I catch a tiny note of her perfume – mixed with a hint of Cole’s woodsy shower gel – and can hardly stop the idiot smile from spreading across my face.
What. A. Night.
Sloane was incredible. But the combination of all three of us? Absolutely goddamn life-changing. I don’t know how I’ll ever go back to regular sex again. Cole’s bossy bedroom demeanour is bringing out a side of me I didn’t even know I had, and I’m not mad about it.
I found him fast asleep on the sofa when I got up to make a coffee. He looked so peaceful that I actually tiptoed past him to the kitchen, unwilling to risk waking him. All of his little frown lines are smoothed out when he’s asleep.
I’m only awake because I have a PT session booked at 9am. Doomscrolling and drinking coffee in Cole’s bed are the perfect way for me to procrastinate before I run out of time and have to leg it to the gym.
The empty wine glasses are all washed up already, and the clothes we discarded have been neatly folded into piles, which means he must have stayed up a while after I did. I’ve already established that Sloane left shortly after we had sex, and I’m trying not to feel wounded at the hit and run.
Not that I’ve never done that to a woman myself. But it turns out it stings a bit when someone legs it like their ass is on fire before the sweat’s even dried on your skin.
She’s definitely dangerous, this one. I feel like a kid who’s about to stick his finger in an open flame, but I couldn’t be more excited. Burn me up, baby, if I get to stand close to the fire.
I grab a quick shower in Cole’s en suite before pulling on yesterday’s clothes.
I can stop at my place in Shad Thames to change.
I bought a pad there when I got my first big bonus.
I still remember the first time I stumbled across it.
It’s only just down from Tower Bridge on the south of the river, but it’s like this little bubble that’s somehow modern and old as fuck.
I leave him a note:
Thanks for letting me crash, text me when you start overthinking last night! Love you, F x
Then I head out of the door.
Two hours later, I’m coming out of the gym when I get a message from my boss.
HARRY
Hi Freddie, sorry to interrupt your Sunday.
Our favourite new client has moved the investor meeting to first thing tomorrow and I’m not happy with these projections as they are.
Any chance you could swing by the office?
I could use your judgement before we finalise and I’d appreciate the chance to go over everything in person.
I sigh. Harry’s a good guy. He works too hard and he can be ruthless, but his values are in the right place, even if some of our clients are asshats.
Hey Harry. Sure thing, I’ll be there. Will there be beers?
HARRY
There can be beers.
Sold. See you in an hour.
I head back to the flat for lunch – salmon and cream cheese on a bagel – and I can’t help but think of Sloane again. I wonder what she’s up to today.
My phone buzzes on the side and I almost knock it off the side in my excitement.
COLE
What time did you head off this morning? I feel like I’ve run a marathon.
Jesus, how long is it since you got laid?! It’s not that hard work.
COLE
Ha bloody ha. You ok this morning?
Never been better. Already smashed a PB in the gym this morning. Heading to the office shortly for a dickhead client request. But doing it all with a smile on my face.
COLE
Good, glad you’re not freaking out.
Nope, turns out I can totally be in a poly relationship. Watching the two of you was just as hot as taking part. Like a live porn show but with audience participation. Why isn’t this the norm?? Everyone on the planet would be so much happier. We’d probably end all wars.
COLE
You have a very limited view of global politics, Freddie.
I stand by it: if everyone got to have a night like last night regularly, we’d all be happier.
COLE
Touché.
And you – are you overthinking it yet?
COLE
No. Maybe. No.
Just don’t freak out. One day at a time, right? First we’ve got to convince her to see us again. I’m thinking pizza and movie night at mine.
COLE
Sounds fun. Just don’t scare her off, ok?
I’ll do my best.
Later that afternoon, Harry and I are eating dim sum at our desk. An array of empty beer bottles are scattered around the boardroom and we’ve finally got the projections to a place we’re happy with.
The client’s clearly throwing us curveballs to test us. Little does he know that crunching numbers and making solid projections are two of my superpowers.
“You keep checking your phone, Lane. Are you waiting on a call?” Harry cocks his head as he regards me, his eyes creased in an almost-smile.
You can always tell when Harry’s got a soft spot for you because his smiles are all around his eyes.
He reserves the sharper, more cut-throat version of himself for clients.
I don’t know how old he is, but he must be in his late fifties by now.
He’s all salt and pepper hair and laughter lines.
“Nah, just checking for a message.”
“A woman, is it?” He raises an eyebrow as he brings his beer up for a swig.
“Might be,” I admit, shoving another dumpling into my mouth.
“You’re trying not to smile,” he observes, a wry grin crossing his own features.
I swallow and shrug.
“It's very new. And she’s a bit… flighty. But I really like her.” I do smile then, unable to help it.
“That’s wonderful,” he says, clapping me on the back. “I hope she recognises a good man when she sees one and sticks around.”
His words fill me with a warm, proud glow, and I take another sip of beer to hide the happy little flush I feel in my cheeks.
“It’s twenty-five years this year that Susie and I have been married,” he says, wistfully. “We were so young. She jokes she was a child bride now.”
I smile at that. Susie’s an absolute hoot – she’s always first up for karaoke at the Christmas party. Partners are always invited, and I’ve never had anyone to take with me.
“A good woman is a rare gift,” he muses, looking down into his beer.
“She’s certainly that, Harry. She’s certainly that.”
We clink glasses before continuing our dinner in companionable silence.
It’s too soon for me to know what this is, but I have no idea how to talk about Cole in this equation. So I don’t.
But a tiny bit of me feels guilty anyway.