Free Unstitched by Jacquie Underdown

are you doing here?’
    ‘I rang you at work, but they told me you were on holidays, so I thought I’d come over. Can I come up?’
    ‘I’m not sure that’s a good idea.’
    ‘You’re still angry with me?’ His tone was sombre.
    ‘No. It’s just that…well…’
    ‘I miss you, Anthy. So much.’
    I fumbled through my emotions, trying to latch onto some rational reaction like anger or resentment, but I couldn’t find anything. Even after what he had done to me. All I could seem to find was empathy. ‘Leith?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘You can come up for a short while.’
    I took a seat on the lounge. The elevator doors opened and Leith stepped out. The bruises under his eyes had faded, however, the self-pity and anguish still lingered in his hangdog expression.
    ‘Hi, Anthy.’ Tentative.
    ‘Hi.’
    He wiped his palms on his jeans and sat on the lounge next to me. So much had changed since I saw him those few short days ago. I no longer bristled when I thought about how he had deceived, used, and embarrassed me by making a video of us in my most vulnerable and private of moments. In reflection, though, I was also kind of thankful that our relationship did come to an abrupt end, because if it hadn’t, Lucas may have passed alongside me like a ghost if I was still wound up thinking I was madly in lust with Leith. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t stir up any more anger.
    ‘I’m sure I’m the last person you expected to see today.’ He lowered his eyes to the soft leather lounge. ‘Like I said, Anthy, I miss you.’
    ‘I find that a little hard to believe.’
    He sighed. ‘I didn’t show you how I felt. Not when it counted, anyway, and not in the right way.’ He shifted across the couch, closer to me. ‘You look really good, Anthy.’
    ‘Thank you,’ I whispered, doubt and mistrust thick in my tone. ‘I’m sorry, Leith, but what are you doing here?’
    He drew in a deep, strained breath and ran his hands through his blond strands. ‘I was wondering if we could give it another try.’
    My eyes shot open wider and I felt a laugh bursting from my chest, but I tensed my mouth into a long, tight line. ‘You want to give it another go? After what you did?’
    ‘I know. Some nerve, hey?’ he said, with a bashful smile.
    I couldn’t talk. So I sat there, eyes locked with Leith’s. He edged closer again and took my hand in his.
    ‘I love you, Anthy. I want to be with you. I made a mistake, a really big, stupid mistake, and I’m sorry. You know that I’m sorry.’
    ‘You…I — love me?’ I whispered, conscious of him touching me, wanting to pull my hand away, but unable to do it.
    ‘Yes. And I know that sounds absurd, especially after what I did. But I do love you. I didn’t realise before. I was taking you for granted, wound up in that stupid bet and I didn’t realise how much I actually do feel for you.’
    I shook my head, scrubbed my hand over my face. He was in love with me? Surely he was joking, or had another bet going — two grand if he could make the silly fool take him back. I laughed. ‘I may have fallen for your antics once, but I’m certainly not stupid enough to fall for them twice.’
    He frowned, shoulders drooping. ‘This isn’t a joke. I’m not trying to deceive you. I may’ve initially had the intention of being with you for the sake of a bet, but things changed.’
    ‘You’re serious, aren’t you?’
    He nodded, eyes pleading. ‘I haven’t felt like this about anyone before. I love you.’
    The intercom buzzed. I pulled my hand away and stood, smoothing my hair down. I took a deep, sharp breath and ran to the speaker.
    ‘Hello.’ Anxiety clung to each syllable.
    ‘Hi. Anthy? It’s Lucas.’
    ‘Lucas?’ My voice was high-pitched. ‘How are you?’ I glanced back at Leith, who was looking at me dolefully, and turned back to the intercom.
    ‘Anthy, are you all right?’
    ‘Fine. Fine. Just fine,’ I said quickly.
    ‘Have I got you at a bad time? I can come back