The Neighbour

TWELVE

"Hey," interrupts Freddie, whispering. "I can hear you over thinking from here."

I laugh. "Sorry."

"Don't be sorry," he says, drawing invisible circles on my hips. "Embrace the overthinker in you."

"Isn't that a bad thing?"

"Not if what you're thinking about is good."

Hmm?

"Why don't you think about how tonight is going to be incredible. Lots of food. Dancing. Lots of me kissing your beautiful body."

He tickles my waist, and I can't help but laugh.

"We deserve a little fun, Ana."

"Yeah, we do," I agree, squeezing his biceps.

He kisses my cheek and pulls back, running a nervous hand through his hair. "I need to go."

"Where?"

"I have a hot date tonight. I need to get ready!"

I giggle. "Freddie—it's only lunchtime. Our date isn't for another seven hours."

He gawks at me like I've lost my damn mind. "Only seven hours?"

I grab a cushion from my sofa and throw it at him. It hits him in the chest, and he pretends to fall over, in one of his silly moods.

"Falling for me, Freddie?" I tease.

He sits up and returns the cushion to its rightful place.

"Of course."

I help him up and smile, in awe of how good this feels. How—for the first time in almost two months—I woke up this morning and didn't think about Josh straight away.

"Seriously, I need to go. I need to call Jamie."

"Didn't you just come from seeing him?"

"Yeah, but that was forty minutes ago, and a lot can happen in that time."

"Like what?" I ask.

"I dunno. Maybe Charlotte learned how to talk, and I missed it."

I pinch his bottom as he leaves and smile when he gasps. "See you at seven, then!"

"Can't wait!" he shouts, entering his apartment.

I close the door to mine and quickly climb into bed, figuring sleep is my best option if what Freddie has planned for date-night includes a strenuous workout. My thoughts slowly creep back in, so I grab my phone in a last-minute attempt to take control of the situation. Kimberly is my oldest friend and will know what to do.

Ana:
Hey! So, there's a big chance
I'm having sex tonight.
It isn't too soon, right?

Kimberly:
Only you can answer that, babe.

Dammit!

I begin typing out my reply when she calls.

"Hello?"

"You know what your problem is..."

"I'm good. Thanks for asking," I tease, laughing.

She ignores my comment.

"You're so worried about what other people think that you hardly ever do anything for you."

She's right.

"Do you wanna sleep with him?"

I filled her in on all things Freddie last night.