A month on and Jack was leaving work early, grabbing the bunch of pink gerbera’s, which he had recently discovered to be Emily’s favorite, from his receptionist he couldn’t wait to see her. It was her birthday on Sunday and he had also learnt one of her favorite singers was performing a few hours out of the city on Saturday night. Not only that but she had been telling him of the countryside near there and so booked them two nights at one of the hotels nearby to check it out before the show and on the Saturday Carla and Paul would be joining them too. Greg wasn’t due back to next week and the two nights had been Carla’s idea and after making sure he had a three-bedroom apartment, he was excited to do this for her.

But the one flaw in his plan he hadn’t expected appeared when he was barely a block away from her shop and seeing him, Greg waved him over. 

“Hey mate, how are you going?” Greg eyed the flowers in Jacks hand suspiciously. “Watcha got there?”

 Jack was gob smacked, coughing awkwardly before remembering how to speak. “Hi Greg. Just part of Emily’s birthday present thought I’d drop it off to her early since we were needing to leave in the morning” Guilt swelled in Jack, how would that sound to her fiancé? But thankfully Greg was instantly distracted from that point.

“Fuck! Her birthday? I thought that wasn’t for another couple of months away!” Jack couldn’t hide his frown. The guy had known her for years, eight of those as her partner and he forgot her birthday? “Wait, go away?” Greg stood a little taller, not sure how to take that. He had his suspicions about Jack, he trusted Emily but if he was planning a weekend away, what exactly was going on here?

“Yeah, she keeps talking about going down south. Not sure what they means exactly but apparently the wine is really good and the beaches. We were going down with Carla and Paul and on Saturday night there is some concert on she wanted to see. I didn’t know you’d be back mate, I would have told you before just surprising her” Jack hoped throwing Paul and Carla in the mix would diffuse the tension brewing between them as Greg just nodded. 

“Jack? Greg?” Emily’s voice had them turning to the corner of the street her bakery was on and sure enough she came bounding over, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of the flowers and her eyes flicked up to meet Jack’s excitedly.

“Hey baby” Greg was quick to claim her as his arm went around her waist he pulled her close and went to kiss her, his frustrations growing as she turned her head slightly and his lips landed on her cheek.

“What are you doing here? You’re coming back Thursday next week, not today!” Emily looked confused, getting out her phone to check her calendar to make sure she hadn’t messed up when putting in his flight schedules.

“I wouldn’t miss my girls birthday! I was planning on surprising you and was just talking with Jack here” Jack only shifted uncomfortably, trying to ignore his conscious that was now echoing in his mind 

“I can’t believe you remembered!” Emily now kissed Greg and he savored the sweetness of the sugars she worked with that lingered on her skin. Feeling embarrassed, Emily quickly broke away and turned back to Jack almost apologetically and seeing the flowers again got curious. “Who are those for?”

 Jack took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a second he knew he was going to regret this “You! I was just holding them for Greg while he was putting his phone away”

 Emily took them graciously from him, yet something in her gut told her that wasn’t the case at all and as she spoke she was looking at Jack, “Thank you, they’re beautiful” Spying the envelope amongst the bouquet it was as she was distracted opening it that Greg mouthed ‘thank you’ to Jack, deciding that he was as decent as everyone kept telling him yet Jack felt as if he was putting another nail in the coffin of his hopes of ever having a chance with Emily. Not that he actually did in the first place.

“Greg these are tickets to Michael Buble! I didn’t even think you liked him!” Jack watched as Greg cringed, his horror hidden from Emily as she threw her arms around his neck, her smile was as bright as the sun and she did a little happy dance once she let him go. “I have to go tell Jodie, come over to the shop!” Emily practically ran back to the store as the men followed, Jack silent as he considered telling her the truth and Greg thankful he had managed to dodge the bullet.

 “Mate, thanks so much for this. Let me know what it cost and I’ll pay you back every cent” Greg stopped, extending his hand as if they were just sealing some kind of business deal. Shaking his head Jack didn’t shake on it and kept walking.

“Its fine, it was going to be her present anyway and I’m sure she’ll have a better time with you guys” Jack admitted though with Carla and Greg at war he wasn’t so sure.

“Shit. Do you think they might not go?” Greg asked as if reading Jacks mind.

“I’ll sort something out for you, I’m sure they’ll understand” Getting out the phone he emailed Greg the hotel confirmations. 

“Dam, maybe it would be better if they came. I could leave her with Carla and skip on the show but yeah, you’re right. It’ll be more enjoyable without them there” Jack only nodded, doubting that very much and as they entered the store the women were talking excitedly about Emily’s surprise, romantic, weekend away. But it wasn’t just about the concert, or going away for her birthday. It was where they drove to on road trips when they were younger and where Greg had proposed. Emily saw it as a way of Greg trying to impress her and she was going to give him what credit was due. If it hadn’t been Jack to come into her life would she even doubt being with Greg was the right thing to do?

She knew she couldn’t blame it solely on what was going on with her and Jack, she had been thinking about ending things for months, long before she even knew he existed. Just because something got hard, didn’t mean you ran away from it. They owed it to each other to keep trying; it wasn’t so broken that the possibility of fixing it was out of reach. But despite her pep-talk and Greg’s generous gift, Emily was still having a hard time trying to convince herself that was the case as Greg picked her up and they started the three hour drive to their destination.

It was around five thirty on Friday when Joshua appeared at Jacks door, knocking he casually walked in 

“Sup? Wanna come out with us tonight?” He took a seat opposite Greg and pulled out his mobile, scrolling through something on his phone.

“Not tonight. I got a lot to do. It’s nearly three months since I got here and I’m no where near where I should be” Scott hadn’t been kidding when he warned him their father was noticing the lack of efficiency he usually had with these sort of projects. Not having Emily around to distract him this weekend was a good thing, last week she had taken him to the local art museum before a boat ride down the river to Fremantle where they had fish and chips, enjoying the sunset.  He had wanted to work then too but she insisted weekends were for relaxing hence why weekdays were known as workdays and there was so much of the state he hadn’t seen 

“I’m guessing Em isn’t around then?” Joshua teased, knowing full well his bosses moods varied depending on how often he had seen her.

“No, she’s busy this weekend” Jack mumbled, allowing himself to tune out of the conversation.

“Oh that’s what Gemma was on about then” Joshua nodded as he sat further back into the chair, getting comfortable but knowing full well what was going on. He worked in HR, he had seen the day of leave be cancelled and had also spoken to Paul that morning about going fishing since he wasn’t going away anymore either.

“What’s that?” His interest was still lacking but it seemed like the polite thing to do.

“Jodie, one of the ladies at Ems bakery was telling her Greg came and picked her up and they were heading south south for the weekend. Very romantic apparently” Joshua put down his phone and watched for Jack’s reaction. His boss didn’t give anything away, merely nodded slightly but if he had looked closer his eyes had narrowed slightly as he now glared at his computer screen, his lips pressed a little tight and the force at which he hit the keys on the keyboard was harder than necessary.

Joshua eventually left, not willing spend any more hours at work especially since it was now off the clock and he wasn’t getting paid for it. Ignoring the messages from his brother and the texts from Paul, Jack didn’t leave till midnight. Saturday morning, Rosemary waited in the kitchen for Jack to join her for her breakfast and as he emerged around seven, she didn’t waste time getting him coffee.

“Morning Jackie” But the grunt she got in response had her studying him a little more closely. “Want to tell what all this is about?” She waved her hands in his direction. He hadn’t shaved, his eyes were bloodshot and his suit was wrinkled. All that and the fact he was going in to work on a Saturday, something he hadn’t done since he had been here. “How’s Emily? Didn’t you mention something about going away this weekend?”

Jack knew instantly what she was doing; rolling his eyes he accepted the coffee but kept quiet. His Aunt had come to like Emily, even apologizing for the afternoon they first met. She had the ability to fit in anywhere and it was hard not to like her. He had even caught Emily and Rosemary having afternoon tea a couple of weeks ago when he had come from work early after Rosemary had invited her over but he was certain that was because Emily’s cupcakes had become a main part of his Aunt’s diet and when ever she was here, one of her trademark lilac boxes would be in hand.

“I’m going to work. I wont be back to till later” He left without another word and Rosemary reluctantly let it go, not thrilled by the early hour she had got up at and headed back to bed. Her theory was if it was meant to be, it would but experience told her it wasn’t always that easy and Jackson was only at the starting point of that lesson.

 Saturday night Paul and Jack sat on Paul’s verandah while Carla was fussing in the kitchen organizing their dinner. Making conversation was hard as Jack was in his own world, until his thoughts escaped him.

“I just don’t get it, why is she even with him? Is it the money?” It was something his Aunt had warned him about, but it made sense. Sure Emily worked hard at her bakery but the turnover couldn’t be all that profitable and she had a very laid back lifestyle. She volunteered and regularly made donations to charities, money to support all of these things had to come from somewhere.

Paul laughed, making Jack blush as he realized he said it out loud. “No mate, not the money” shaking his head, Paul took a sip of his beer and seeing the confused look explained further. “She is loaded on her own rights. Her parents had small win on the lottery; about two million or something and each of their kids being Em and Scott got their own share of five hundred thousand. When Scott died his part went to her too. She tried to give it to Carla but she couldn’t accept it. It’s definitely not the money that’s keeping her with him 

Jack had no idea, it was bad enough he even considered that about her but to have Paul know his thoughts and then be told that.

“Last Christmas she actually considered leaving him, he forgot her birthday again and took a double swing so he wouldn’t be home for Christmas. On top of that she was had enough of fighting with him about selling her house or developing the block and there was the time she was talked into going wedding dress shopping with Greg’s Mum and she ended up having a panic attack.” Shrugging, Paul jumped up to open the door for Carla who had her hands full with a bowl of salad.

“I think you should tell her about the trip this weekend Jack. She deserves to know the truth” Carla kissed Paul’s head as she passed, going back inside she emerged seconds later with a tray full of roast chicken.

“I cant now after lying to her in the first place. Besides, what good will it do?” the group were silent for a moment as the food was passed around.

 “Both of you, stay out of it” Paul warned, looking between Carla and Jack he pointed his finger at them. “Let it happen naturally. Don’t be the ones to blame or it might not just be Greg who would loose her” They knew he was right but it didn’t mean they had to agree or like it. One thing was for sure, Jack was glad she had the people closest to her on his side but until that break happened, it wouldn’t mean anything and he didn’t’ expect Emily to be leaving her fiancé for him, especially since the friend line had been drawn between them.

 And it seemed where their friend line ended; Greg’s was just growing. It wasn’t so much a line but a wall and as Emily sat beside him happily singing along he downed the glass of wine, finishing the bottle that had been part of the picnic dinner. All around people were spread out on tiny deckchairs or picnic blankets and it was as far from his idea of a good time than anyone could imagine. Sighing he got up, finding the drink stand when he returned Emily was dancing with a six year old boy as the crowd hummed along to ‘Sway’. Taking his seat he had to admire her, yet wondered if she’d ever grow up and be like him. How much longer could their opposites keep attracting? He loved her more than anything but until she got herself more grounded, how can he get her to walk down the aisle? If she were his wife surely she would be more willing to do what he wanted and start to act her age. 

“Thank you so much for tonight” At the end of the song Emily left the little boy with a curtsey and snuggled back against Greg’s side.

“You’re welcome” He silently groaned, there was still another forty minutes of this to go and he regretted not letting Jack and the others come instead of him. He would have made it up to her some other way and as he shifted again Emily knew he was struggling. Jack had told her he was a fan of the singer and wished he had been able to come along but as Michael started the next song, her heart skipped a beat at the lyrics.

“Love the one that's right, not the one you keep thinking of…” It was a song she had heard a million times and the first lines were all Emily needed to hear. Was it just that simple? Was he the one that was right? By the end of the concert Greg was eager to get back to the hotel and as they headed towards the car park Emily’s phone beeped with a message and looking at the screen it was from Jack.

‘How was Bublè?’

‘Amazing! Wish you were here’

As soon as she sent it her heart skipped a beat at her message. Why had she said that and why didn’t phones have delete buttons.

‘Me 2! Next show you have to take me :)’

 Jack answered quickly, hoping his message didn’t seem to desperate but the fact she had told him she wished he was there gave him some comfort.

“Who is it?” Greg asked, noticing Emily smiling at her phone.

“Just Carla, wishing she had come” Emily smiled at Greg reassuringly while inside she was hating herself for lying but technicall Carla probably was wishing she had been able to come as both were big fans. Greg wondered if Carla would reveal the night was thanks to Jack, he wouldn’t put it past her and wondered if that had been Jacks plan all along and his suspicions only grew. Emily had been so sheltered by everyone, including him so of course she wouldn’t see what Jacks intentions are; she probably thought he was just being friendly. So for the next four days, he didn’t leave her side until Wednesday night when she went to her parents house for late birthday dinner as they had been away and he had to go to a work function.

Carla and Paul were already there with Anna when Emily arrived and after stealing the baby from her Mum, Emily was glad to have some time with her family. Until her Mum asked her about the weekend as they sat down for dinner.

“So how was your weekend? Did you get to show Jack all of our favorite places?” Paul coughed awkwardly as Carla bumped her leg against Emily’s Mums in a bid to silence her.

“Why would I show Jack? Greg took me away for my birthday” Emily asked almost anxiously.

“Oh but he had said to your Dad about going away and…” Her Mum was cut off as Carla tried to change the subject.

“And how awesome was Michael live?” Emily’s Dad looked at Paul who shook his head slightly and focused on cutting up his roast beef but the action didn’t go unnoticed by Emily.

“What am I missing? The truth, now” Emily demanded, looking at Carla who avoided her gaze as Paul shook his head again. “Now!”

“Well darling, I thought Jack had planned the weekend away for all of you. But I must be wrong” Carla dropped her head down slightly; stabbing the potato on her plate she quickly shoved it in her mouth.

“Jack had planned it?” How could she have been so blind and why would he do that for Greg? “Come on guys, tell me the truth”

“Fine!!” Carla blurted out louder than she had planned, earning her a swift kick under the table from Paul. “Shut up” She glared at him and taking a deep breathe looked at Emily. “He did. He knew how much you liked Bublè and cause we’re always talking about going down south he planned it all. He covered for Greg as they ran into each other by chance and we were all meant to go but well, we didn’t” 

“Why didn’t he tell me?” This time Paul spoke up and shrugging, he put down his fork.

“Why would he? He did what he thought was best for his friend and her fiancé, let it go Em” An awkward silence fell over the table until Emily excused herself, heading out the back of her parents house she went and sat on the tree swing she had made a lifetime ago with her brother. How did everything get so complicated? Just when she thought it was going to be back to normal, this had to come out. She felt angry at Jack for not telling her, even more so at Greg because clearly he had forgotten her birthday again and was happy to take the praise from Jack.

“Emmy?” The small figure of her Mum approached the swing and with the onset of night the garden lit up with a variety of colors from the solar lights her Dad was a big fan of. “What’s going on my angel?”

“I just. Since I met Jack I, I don’t know Mum. I love Greg but” But what?

“I’ve seen the pair of you change and grow over the years but never together. And it’s ok” Emily felt the tears start to run down her cheeks and her Mum sat beside her, wrapping her arm over her shoulders she let her daughter cry.

“But, what do I do? Tell me what to do” She finally begged and sighed as her Mum only shook her head and Emily knew the answer. “I cant do it. I can’t” She managed to get out between breaths.  “I just, I just kept hoping if I wanted it to happen enough, it would. I tried Mum. I tried every dam day but I love him” Carla wasn’t sure who she was talking about as she approached the pair.

 “Of course you do but there is a difference between loving someone and being in love with them. I couldn’t be prouder of you and all you are but things change. People change and you have to look after yourself too. You are so loved by us all, you’re not alone” Emilys Mum was right, things change. Sniffing Carla handed Emily a tissue and joined them on the bench.

“Em, since Scott died you’ve gone above and beyond for everyone. You never do anything for you, you’re always volunteering or helping old people cross the road or making sure we’re all ok but we can see you’re not and haven’t been for a while. It’s not about Jack, its not even about Greg. You need to do what is right for you, not everyone else” Carla’s little speech had Emily sobbing against her Mums shoulder once more and the two women looked at each other knowingly as they tried to comfort her. She had never cried quite like this, not even when Scott died. Her coping mechanism was to help others, she would do her parents laundry and cook for Carla each night. She did everything for everyone else and it had turned into part of her routine.

 “I don’t want to marry Greg” Emily finally admitted. It was the truth. She had known it for longer than she would accept but it had been the first time she said it out loud. Like her Mum had said, sure she loved him but she wasn’t in love with him. Their relationship was based on routine and familiarity, neither willing to admit what they had was just that. Something they had. Emily had been trying, not willing to give up and it was only weeks away from being a year since a similar conversation had occurred with her Mum and now there was only one thing left to do before it could get any worse for either of them.

“I have to break up with him”