I guess we’re even then, I murmured to myself, as I left Jennifer’s studio. I wanted to push for details, but really, it wouldn’t have mattered a single bit. What had started with a stray hand on my knee had now exploded into a quiet web of lies and deceit. It had finished the same way it had begun, with cheating on loved ones. Maybe Jen had nailed it when she asked, only a couple of minutes before, if we had ever stood a chance. We had been foolish enough to believe so, of course we had, lust removes all common sense from the brain. But soon our personalities had clashed, even before the desire had worn off, and we were stuck in an endless cycle of make-up sex. It was just so damn easy to mistake longing for love.

On my way home I hesitated between calling Lucy and Alex. I opted for Alex, if only to let him know first-hand that Jennifer and I had broken up, and to get his take on my burgeoning affair with Lucy.
“Hey, Leesbian. What’s shaking on the lesbo-wagon these days?”
“Same old, same old, Alex, treachery, sex and drama.”
“I’m all ears.”
“Jennifer and I broke up, she slept with Kim, and I slept with Lucy, my boss.”
“It sounds so mundane when you say it like that. Has no one ever taught you how to build up suspense? By the way, that Lucy, I knew she was up to something.”
“She may be slightly nuts.”
“You haven’t thought this through again, have you, Leesbian? It’s all well and good in the beginning, you eye each other up in the office all day, spend your evenings in bed, but what happens when you go off her? She could go all Fatal Attraction on you, she seems like the type.”
“I agree, it’s not my brightest idea, but the way she came on to me, I was powerless. You know how weak I am when a beautiful woman smiles at me.”
“You’re such a slag, Lee, really. Is she even a lesbian?”
“She was from eleven last night to seven this morning, before and after that, I have no idea.”
“Has she ever been with a woman before you?”
“No, not that I know of.”
“Oh, Lee, why do you keep doing this to yourself?”
“If only I knew, homie, if only I knew.”
“It’s the forbidden fruit thing, isn’t it? That, and she’s your boss. To someone with your twisted mindset, a woman like that is irresistible.”
“Thanks for the analysis. I’ll be sure to write that in my journal tonight, under ‘Wise Words From Sexy Lexie.’”
“Mock me all you want, darling, but who will be there to pick up the pieces of your broken heart again in a couple of months, or weeks, or days even?”
“You, of course. How are things with Ben, actually?”
“Glorious, we had a fabulously romantic weekend in Paris and his parents are coming over for supper tonight. We’re all domesticated now. We may be looking for a uterus to rent soon. Can I count on you for that?”
“If you ever say the word uterus to me again I will cease to acknowledge your existence, even though you have a pretty difficult existence to ignore.”
“It’s good to know who my real friends are in this world.”
“Oh, shut up. You’re such a drama queen.”
“It takes one−”
“−to know one, I’m well aware of that.”
“What about Jennifer? And Kim?”
“Honestly, I have no idea when or how it happened, all I know is that it was as good as inevitable. I should never have come in between them. It was so foolish. We could all still be living happily in Shoreditch, if it weren’t for libidos and exotically-skinned dancers.”
“Isn’t it always so, Lee. Anyway, at least you have a kooky but wonderful new landlady. And you live in Kensington. You will stop paying rent in Shoreditch now, I hope?”
“Oh yes. No more paying off my guilt now.”
“Good, now let’s say you take me out on Friday and show me the good time I deserve with the money you will save on rent.”
“Don’t I always? How about dinner at Eleanor’s on Friday. For some reason she adores you.”
“Only if Lucy is coming, I want to see this office romance in action.”

To be continued…