Gia walked out of the clinic with a bag and head full of information, a mixture of relief that a date was set and apprehension over what it meant.
She took her phone out to call Lin but suddenly felt a wave of emotions threatening to choke her.
She sat down on the step, suddenly wanting to hold him, NEEDING to hold him. she missed his touch.
She quickly wrote a message. 'All done, date set for a weeks time, be home soon xx'
He answered immediately 'are you ok? Are you in pain? Do you need me to come and meet you? I'm done here too. Everything is sorted'
She breathed out slowly, a tumble of feelings churning her stomach. Glad he had sorted everything. Worried that he had seen her again. 'I'm fine. Honestly. I won't be long. How was she?'
'I didn't go. Jon made a good point about her making a scene. He went for me. She was upset but ok, apparently took it quite well'
Gia breathed a sigh of relief but then frowned 'Bit of a shitty move though Lin. Leaving someone else to do your dirty work, but probably a good idea. Call her. Make sure things are straight. Please'
'Ok. I will. I love you Gia. X'
She read the words over and over. Her broken heart burning with a desperation to be close to him.
She looked up as a car horn hooted startling her. Her eyes suddenly drawn to a shop across the road. She raised her eyebrows and started to giggle quietly to herself.
"Hell, maybe a break from all the important shit is what we need."
She hesitated then messaged him back
'I love you too x'
Picking up her bag she walked into the shop.
Lin caught his breath as he read her words. He sat down on the bed and put his hands over his eyes, the relief making him dizzy.
"She loves me. Oh my God. She still loves me."
Iris walked slowly along the riverside, talking herself through her thoughts. How could someone she had only known for a few days leave her feeling so empty.
She didn't blame Lin. He hadn't promised her anything after all.
"One day at a time."
She wished she could talk to him.
"Fuck it!"
She took out her phone and dialled.
Lin was startled awake.
Confused for a moment he realised he had fallen asleep, it took him a second. He finally picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hi, it's Iris..."
He caught his breath for a moment.
"Hi, erm... are you ok? I was going to call you later."
He got no response but could hear her breathing.
"Iris? I'm sorry I didn't come today. That was a real jerk move."
She laughed quietly.
"I'm sorry you thought I'd be an asshole."
"No. I didn't. Not really. Shit how is it possible for one person to make such an almighty fuck up of everything?!"
She sighed.
"Don't be so hard on yourself Lin. You didn't promise me anything."
He ran his hand through his hair.
"Fuck, don't be so nice Iris please."
"You'd rather I tell you what a lowlife, cheating bastard you are?"
"Weirdly.. yes.."
"Well I sort of just have, so... "
She stopped talking and Lin laughed quietly.
"I am sorry Iris. I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Jon said you cared for me?"
"I did."
He frowned. "I do. You're an amazing person. If I wasn't married, if I wasn't with Gia..."
".... I know. But you are Lin, and you love her."
He swallowed.
"I do. I'm sorry."
"It's nothing to be sorry about. I can only hope I'll find someone who loves me like you love her."
"You will, and if you don't. Then you haven't met him yet."
"Keep going huh?"
"Keep going......"
Neither of them spoke for a moment.
"Thank you Lin. For whatever it was we had, I will always remember it.
Thank you."
"Please look after yourself. Goodbye Iris."
She smiled despite the words breaking her heart.
"Bye Lin."
The phone went dead but she stood for a while with it still pressed to her cheek. "He was never yours Iris. He was never yours."
