Page 74 of The Ring
I don’t like putting labels on people, but a lot of people's brains do it on autopilot—it helps them make sense of the worldmore easily. And sadly, my mind falls into that group. Right now, it’s struggling to settle on one. So…they,which in my mind feels like the rightful pronoun to use for someone whose pronouns I’m unsure of, have very soft facial features that you’d mostly attribute to a woman, but a physical build usually associated with a man. They have short platinum hair and are wearing a purple coat. But anyway, who cares? After all, we’re in the 21st century.
“I’m sorry,” Benedict mutters to me before the person reaches our table.
I’m a little confused as to why he’s apologising, but my doubt vanishes when I hear a fake cough behind me—the kind people use to grab attention.
“Maxine,” Benedict calls out as he stands up, his voice neutral.
“Oh, I didn’t see you there,” Maxine says to Benedict, as if they weren’t the one to approach us in the first place.
I’m confused about what kind of game this is, but nonetheless, I stand up to greet them.
“Maxine, this is Cornelia. Cornelia, this is Maxine.” Benedict gestures between us.
I extend my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Maxine takes my hand with a firm grip. “I’m Benedict’s ex-partner.”
Benedict’s gaze drops, looking embarrassed.
“And what are you two?” Maxine asks, looking between Benedict and me with a raised eyebrow.
I look at Benedict, and he looks at me, as if he’s also waiting for an answer.
I think for a second about what to answer. “Friends,” I settle on.
That’s the best definition that comes to mind. Technically, the best definition would befriends who are constantly kissingand hooking up, but I wasn’t about to say that to someone I’d just met, and someone who isn’t being particularly nice.
“Friends, I see,” Maxine says in a way that sounds like an insult. “Well, I better go, but it was nice seeing you, Benedict,” they finish and walk away.
That wasinteresting.
I sit back in my seat, and Benedict does the same. “So, back to where we were,” I clap my hands. “What’s your least and most favourite wine?”
He looks at me funny.
“What?” I ask.
“Don’t you have any questions?” he replies, looking confused.
“No, should I?” I think I got it all—they’re exes with a weird relationship. I got one of those, too.
“You really are a breath of fresh air,” Benedict Glounger says with a smile, which makes me smile. “So, we’re friends then?”
“Are you fine with that?”
He grins. “I am, as long as there is an opportunity for a promotion.”
I think there might be.
I hope there is.
Chapter 43
TJ
“Do you know him?” I ask as I drop my iPad over West’s legs while he’s sitting on the living room couch, reading a book.
He shoots me an annoyed look. “First, ouch,” he says, glancing at my iPad, which displays aCB Londonarticle about Cornelia that claims she’s dating Benedict Glounger, the Netflix actor. “And second, should I?”
