“Yesterday afternoon I got a call from Claire on my mobile.”
“How did she get your number?”
“That was the first question I asked her. Vincent gave it to her. But please don’t blame him, he works for her. What was he supposed to do?”
“Vincent is the last person I blame for this.”
“She asked if I wanted to meet her for a drink, so we could talk about the situation.”
“And you agreed?”
“I had no reason not to. And it’s not as if I had something to hide.”
“What were her exact words?”
“Something like ‘Lee told me she has a crush on you. Can we talk?’”
“But why would you want to talk to Claire about this.”
“I don’t know, to tell her she had nothing to fear from my side, and to ensure her that nothing had happened.”
“I completely fail to see the point.”
“Please try to understand the position I was in. I got a call from your girlfriend out of the blue. I didn’t even know you had told her. She was very friendly and calm on the phone. She just wanted to talk. I figured she was probably pretty hurt.”
“Maybe you could have told me.”
“I didn’t want to stir a panic. I knew you were visiting your parents.”
“OK, so you went on a date with Claire behind my back. Then what happened?”
“It wasn’t a date, Lee.”
“It sure ended like one hell of a date.”
“Can I explain further, please?”
“Yes, do go on.”
“We met for a drink at the restaurant next to her building.”
“How convenient.”
“She was just curious to meet me. I actually think it was quite ballsy of her to call me like that.”
“Claire has bigger balls than most men.”
“She was putting on a brave face, I could tell. She asked me if I had feelings for you.”
“What did you say.”
“I told her it didn’t matter what I felt, and that I’m not the kind of person to come between a couple. It’s not my style. She seemed to believe me. I actually think she liked me.”
“You used to be a very likeable person.”
“This whole thing, Lee, I never asked to be in the middle of it. Maybe you and I should have discussed what was happening between us. You know I’m all for honesty, but it wasn’t easy for me either. At least as long as you were with Claire, there was a definite line for me, a line I would never cross.”
“Yeah well, that line has turned into a giant wall now.”
“I know.”
“Don’t leave out the good bits, please.”
“We got talking. We had more drinks. You know how I get when I drink a few.”
“Please don’t tell me you’re going to blame this on the booze?”
“I’m not looking to make excuses, but I am telling you the truth. The drinks kept on coming, and at one point I was daring her to kiss me.”
“You were what?”
“I was drunk out of my mind. We’d been provoking each other while playing drinking games.”
“I’m glad to hear you had so much fun.”
“I know this hurts you, but trust me when I tell you, it’s killing me too. I don’t think I’ve ever been so embarrassed.”
“Shame usually comes a day too late.”
“It was a game. I never thought it would lead to anything. But then she said, ‘You have just dared the wrong woman, Louise.’”
“That sounds a lot like Claire. Was she drunk?”
“I have no idea. My perception was quite skewed by then. The next thing I know, we’re in her apartment, kissing and… you know, the rest.”
“Her apartment? I live there too, I sleep in that bed.”
“I know, I am so sorry.”
“And you spent the night? You didn’t have the decency to go home when she was done with you?”
“I could barely stand on my legs. I was in no state to go home.”
“You weren’t too drunk to fuck her though?”
“I was.”
“Are you saying she took advantage of you?”
“No, of course not. I’m an adult. I was there, and I didn’t stop her when she kissed me.”
“You know, I can somehow understand why Claire did it. She came from a place of hurt, and she may be in her fifties but she will never be too old to pass up on a dare. But you? You knew full well how I felt about you. How could you have let this happen?”
“If I knew I would surely tell you. I just need you to understand that I never meant for things to get so out of hand.”
“What am I supposed to say? Shit happens?”
“Mon dieu, I am so ashamed.”
“Hurt trumps shame on this occasion.”
“It always does.”

To be continued…