If I Can't Have you

(8) New Houseguest

There was a moment silence, before the door opens and Max was stood there, "hey mate."

"Um, hello. Is Jem in?" Logan asks.

"Yeah," Max nods, looking down at the flowers, "are those peonies?"

"They are," Logan confirms.

"She's allergic to peonies," Max states.

"Really? She told me she loves them," Logan replies.

"She does. She loves looking at them, thinks they're pretty. However, she cannot go too near else she gets rashes." Max explains.

"Oh shit," Logan says, as Jemima appears behind Max in the door way.

"Ready to go?" She smiles.

"Um.. no, look, don't come too close." Logan stutters, taking a step back and hiding the flowers, instantly feeling guilty when one of the smiles he adores so much falls from her face.

"No, it's not like that, Jem." He says.

"What is it like then?" Jemima asks, as she gestures for Max to give them some space.

"I didn't know you're allergic to Peonies, and I remember you told me you thought them pretty. I've got them in my hand, and I don't want anything to happen to you... so please don't come near me." Logan explains.

"Thank you... for the thought." Jemima says, "they are pretty, and I apologise for not telling you of my allergy."

"Is it alright if I deposit of them somewhere, wash my hands and come straight back?" Logan queries.

"Yes," Jemima nods.

-

"Why was Max at your house earlier?" Logan inquires, lifting the wine glass to his lips, taking a sip to help wash down his dinner.

"He's living there," Jemima answers.

Logan looks taken aback, "oh... temporarily or permanently?"

"I'm unsure, but he needed a place and I've got the room. It makes sense." Jemima replies, wiping the corner of her mouth with her napkin.

"I think you should know I am quite uncomfortable with you sharing an abode with another man." Logan says, clearing his throat.

"It's Max," Jemima shrugs, "and it's my house. Nothing will happen, I can assure you of that."

"Would you be comfortable with me having a female roommate?" Logan queries.

"If you shared the history I share with Max, I would not mind. If it was the same situation on opposite sides, I would not mind." Jemima says, "it's your house. I choose to trust you, to respect me and our relationship, if you choose to break that trust, that's on you. But I am not leaving him without a roof over his head, that I will not debate on."

"So not even the thought that we'd both be naked, mere meters away only separated by a wall, wouldn't deter you?" Logan asks.

"No, as I said. I trust you, you choose to break that trust. That's on you." Jemima shrugs.

"Does that mean I'm allowed to get some random woman from the street and ask her to live with me?" Logan queries, "and that wouldn't bother you whatsoever."

"Max isn't a random guy on the street," Jemima replies, "he's my best friend, I've known him for years."

"It's strange, Jem. Living with one man whilst in a relationship with another, and it does make me uncomfortable that he'll constantly be around." Logan sighs.

"He's always been around, that's nothing new." Jemima says, "the only way this relationship will work is with trust. I don't want to break your trust, or make you feel uncomfortable. But I am not kicking him out, he's staying."

Logan looks as though he wants to say more, but keeps his mouth shut, inhaling deeply before taking a sip from his drink.

"Are you really that angry by this?" Jemima asks

"Yes," Logan nods, "mostly I'm annoyed that I didn't get told until this evening, after he'd already moved in."

"I don't need your permission to let someone stay in my house." Jemima replies.

"Was I at least taken into consideration?"

"Max asked, but I told him the same as I've told you." Jemima shrugs, "he stays, that's my final decision."

"That just tells me that he's more open to caring about my feelings than you are," Logan scoffs.

"I never meant to hurt your feelings through my actions, but he's my friend, and I refuse to apologise or change my decision of helping him." Jemima replies.