Page 6 of How To Tackle A Crush

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“No.”

“I do not need to introduce myself to anyone?”

“No.”

That part feels like oxygen.

“Fine,” I say quietly.

There is a sudden sharp sound from the phone.

Then silence.

Then the very unmistakable sound of Marie-Louise abruptly not being able to continue the conversation.

AJ and I both become extremely interested in the grain of the desk.

Neither of us says anything.

Several long seconds pass.

Then the sound of running water.

“Right,” she says, sounding tired and weak. “Apologies.”

“That sounded unpleasant,” I say.

“Yes,” she replies flatly.

A breath.

“I’ll email you the details about the press briefing.”

A small pause.

“You’ll be fine.”

The call ends.

AJ looks at me.

I look at him.

“Well,” he says, “you’re about to meet Jack Westland.”

“I am about to sit very quietly in the same room as Jack Westland.”

He grins. “Same thing.”

I look down at my notebook.

This morning I expected commas.

Now I am apparently getting footballers.

I am not convinced this is an improvement.

Chapter 2

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