“Sure.” Yoss turned to me. “Uh, I made coffee. I can get you some. You still like it with milk and sugar, right?” Yoss asked.
“That sounds great,” I told him. Lee waggled his eyebrows once Yoss’s back was turned.
I returned his look blandly.
“Yoss said you had a late night so I turned your alarm clock off and let you sleep in a bit,” Lee said, flipping the omelet.
“You turned my alarm off? What time is it? I’ll be late for work!” I checked the time on my phone and saw that it was only seven thirty. I had plenty of time.
Lee rolled his eyes. “Chill out, the world won’t fall apart if you’re a little late. You need to work on loosening that rigid control you have over every aspect of your life.”
I noticed Yoss was watching the exchange between Lee and me with interest.
“You’re making a mess in my kitchen,” I pointed out.
“And your house is a pigsty. What’s your point?” Lee volleyed back, not bothered in the least my gruff attitude. “Yoss and I have been having a great talk. I came over to bring you some happy eggs that Kevin brought home last night. You know they’re called happy eggs because the little hens get lucky. No artificial insemination for them. Nope. It’s just them and the rooster and a whole lot of hot poultry action.”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. Thanks,” I interrupted.
Lee glared at me before going on, “Anyway, I came over and Yoss answered the door. He tells me he’s on old friend of yours and you’re letting him stay here. I told him that the Im I know isn’t one for spontaneous house guests, so he must be special.” Lee gave me a significant look that demanded an explanation.
Yoss put the plates on the counter and Lee filled them with his egg concoction. We all sat down together at my kitchen table. It was beyond odd having them both there. My past and my present lives crashing into each other over omelets.
“So old friends, huh? I’ve never heard you mention a Yoss. Unique name. I would have remember that one,” Lee pestered, taking a bite of egg.
“Where’s Kevin? Shouldn’t you be at your couple’s yoga class this morning?” I asked my friend, evading his questions with a less than subtle change of topic.
Lee made a face. “Kevin decided he wanted to take his mother to breakfast instead. And I wasn’t going to subject myself to an hour with the in-law. If it ain’t a holiday, I’m not doing it.”
“That’s very selfless of you, Lee,” I replied blandly.
“It’s called self-preservation, Im,” Lee corrected. “I’m sure Yoss understands what I’m talking about.”
Yoss moved his food around on his plate, not eating. “You could say that.” Yoss put his fork down and stood up suddenly. “I’m going to get a shower, if that’s okay? I was too tired to get one last night.”
“Oh, of course. I warned you about the girly shampoo and I think there’s an extra toothbrush in the medicine cabinet,” I said.
“Okay, thanks.” Yoss turned to Lee who was watching us with that analytical shrinky way of his. “Lee, it was nice meeting you.”
“Sure. It was nice meeting you too, Yoss.”
As soon as Yoss was gone, Lee pounced. “What the hell, Im? Who is that guy? Is he really an ‘old friend?’ Or did you pick him up somewhere? Is he some illicit one-night stand that hasn’t left yet? He’s ridiculously hot, so good for you if he is. Though that doesn’t sound like you at all, which disappoints me greatly.”
“No, I did not pick him up. What he said is the truth. We’re old friends. I knew Yoss when we were teenagers.”
“So, what? He called you and said he’s coming to town and could he shack up with you?” Lee asked incredulously.
“No, he didn’t call me to ask if he could shack up. Who does that anyway?” I scoffed, pushing the eggs around on my plate. I checked the time on my phone again. The thought of going into work filled me with disquiet.
I loved my job. Most days it was the thing that got me out of bed.
Not today.
“Earth to Imogen!” Lee waved his hand in front of my face and I narrowed my eyes. He pursed his lips and looked irritated. “What’s going on? This is incredibly out of character for you. Perhaps you’re not coping with the separation from Chris as well as I had originally thought.” Lee seemed worried. I put my hand on his arm.
“This has nothing to do with Chris. Though he did show up here last night,” I told him.
Lee’s eyes widened. “Chris came here last night? Why?”
“He wanted to pick up his bowling shoes.” Lee gave me a look of disbelief.
“What kind of bullshit excuse is that?” my friend asked.
“Well, whatever, he got his bowling shoes and left. He never saw Yoss. Which is just as well.” I dropped my fork onto the plate and drank the rest of my coffee.
“It’s obvious moving on will be harder for some than others,” Lee remarked pointedly.
“I already feel like a heartless bitch where my ex is concerned, don’t make it worse.” I winced.