Page 26 of The Best Ex of My Life

‘Yeah, let’s agree to not compare notes, but it’s not like we were in long-term relationships with Elliot, Matthew or Jordan,’ I add, as much for me as for them. ‘I’ve never even been on a date with Elliot, so it’s hardly like the three of us are going round snogging each other’s husbands or stealing soulmates here. The guy we’re talking about me kissing is someone Karina went out with for five minutes a few years ago, that’s all.’

‘You’re right,’ Teddy agrees. ‘In that case, you can give us the full verdict.’

I make a show of rolling my eyes before I relent.

‘Fine. He’s a good kisser. Very good. It was an epically romantic kiss,’ I tell them confidently. The truth is my first kiss with Jordan wasn’t the best I’ve ever had. Not the worst, not unpleasant, but not the best either. Maybe it was because I was still a little embarrassed about the nipple display, or because I became aware of freezing water dripping down my neck a few seconds in when Jordan pushed tighter against me, moving me a few inches away from the stone overhang we’d been sheltering under, but it was still good. When he pulled back and smiled at me, I knew I wasn’t ready for it to end, and when we hugged goodbye, it was me who leaned in for a second kiss, which was better.

‘That’s great,’ Teddy says, squeezing my knee before turning to Karina. ‘And what about you, Kar? Found the ick yet?’

I sit forward and pick up my coffee, relieved to be out of the limelight.

‘Nope. Trust me, I’ve been looking, but I can’t find anything that bothers me about him. It’s actually scaring me.’

Karina and Matthew’s second date was a surprise trip to The Palace Theatre to watch Hamilton. Matthew sorted the whole thing out, not knowing that Karina hates musicals as a rule and had already been on at least three dates where her date had surprised her with theatre tickets. All she had done on those occasions was text me and Teddy throughout, moaning about the bad acoustics and uncomfortable seats. When she sent us a picture of the stage, I prepared myself for the follow up get me out of here message, but all went silent until the next morning when Teddy texted to ask where the hell she’d disappeared to, and she told us she’d had a lovely night. Apparently, Hamilton opened her eyes to a fascinating moment in American history and the forming of the USA she’d previously known little about.

‘So the dodgy T-shirts he wears don’t bother you? Or the way he calls his mum twice a day without fail?’ Teddy asks.

‘No. I know, it’s bizarre. Anyone else and there would be no going back from a T-shirt that has a picture of a sloth on it, and the mum thing would make me run a mile, but I just … don’t hate those things on him. When we were waiting for the show to start, his mum texted him, and he asked me if I minded if he nipped to take a picture of the stage to send to her. He explained how close he and his mum are, that she raised him and his two sisters on her own. He laughed when he told me that he could be a real handful growing up, and she still worries about him now, so sending a quick message to say he was at the theatre having a nice evening would make her happy. How can I hate that? It’s a good thing, isn’t it? You know, that he cares, that he’s kind enough to do that, even when on a second date. I wouldn’t dream of texting my parents when I’m out with someone I’m trying to impress.’

Teddy and I exchange a look, Cheshire cat smiles spreading across both our faces.

I make a show of flinging my hands to my face in shock. ‘Bloody hell. Kar, you are smitten! I don’t recognise you from the girl who broke up with an actual male model because of the state of his socks.’

Karina shrugs, like she doesn’t get it either, but her face is practically glowing. ‘I know. I can’t stop myself from waiting for something to come up, but it’s going so well, I really hope I don’t find it.’

‘You won’t,’ Teddy assures her. ‘Matthew is lovely. I’m so happy you like him this much.’

‘Me too,’ Karina says. She gets up to go to the fridge for more wine for her and Teddy and some fancy biscuits out of the cupboard for me. I’d love to join them with a glass, but I’ve so much marking tonight, if I don’t go soon, I’ll be working until it’s time for me to get ready for school again. It’s time to leave, but I don’t want to go without hearing about Teddy and Elliot’s date.

The day after I helped him choose his outfit, I saw Elliot at work, but all I got in reply to my question about how it went was a thumbs up and a tight smile. I’d have hoped for far more than that from Teddy, but so far, she’s been annoyingly elusive about how it went.

‘That just leaves you,’ I say to Teddy. ‘What gives with the secrecy about your second date?’

‘There’s no secrecy. It was nice. Like I’ve told you the hundred times you’ve asked.’

‘Come off it,’ Karina says. ‘If you like someone, you normally can’t stop telling us about them, going over every last detail, analysing every look they gave you for hidden meaning. Are you not keen?’

‘It’s fine if you’re not,’ I add. ‘It’s no big deal. You can say.’

‘No, it’s not that. Not that at all,’ she says, and there’s something about the gentleness in her voice that catches me round the middle, making my stomach drop.

‘Oh my God.’ Karina’s mouth drops open in surprise. ‘You like him, don’t you? You really like him. Look at you, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you blush before.’

She’s right. Teddy’s cheeks have coloured, and she’s trying to bury her face into her hoody, but she’s also grinning, and she’s different tonight, softer, content. Elliot’s made her like this in only two dates.

‘Now you absolutely need to tell us everything,’ Karina presses. ‘Forget that crap about not sharing the details. I want it all. Have you slept together? How many times?’

‘Karina,’ I warn, but she just bats her hand in my direction.

‘Come on, Teddy, spill,’ she says.

Teddy takes a sip of her wine, enjoying keeping us waiting, and I find I’m holding my breath as I wait for her answer.

‘Nope, I’m saying nothing, so don’t bother asking.’

The air leaves my lungs, and my heart feels like it’s no longer being squeezed. I don’t know why I’m so relieved to not know about her and Elliot sleeping together, only that I am.

Karina tries to get Teddy to answer her questions – trying every tactic from asking Teddy to rate Elliot’s performance in bed to asking when the wedding will be – but Teddy refuses to say anything else about Elliot, not realising her face is saying enough.