Pulling up outside Emily’s house Jack noticed Carla’s car in the drive and as he slowed out the front she appeared, waving over at him. Pulling up on the verge, Jack got out instantly noticing how worried she looked.

“She isn’t home or answering her phone. Please tell me you’ve heard from her” Carla looked at him hopefully but Jack only shook his head.

“No nothing all day. Do you think she’s ok?” He had wondered if she had gone to her parents but surely Carla would have checked and when she spoke it was as if she could read his mind.

“Her parents haven’t seen her either. She hasn’t been to work or gone and hid at the shelter she volunteers at. I don’t know where else to check” She ran her hand through her blonde hair clearly frustrated. “I’m getting worried Jack”

“It’s Em, I’m sure she just needed some time to think” He considered going up to Kings Park, she often went up there to take a break and wouldn’t be surprised if she was there now.

“That’s it! I know where she is!” Jacks words made perfect sense to Carla, where else would her friend go to disappear from the world? She practically ran to her car, pausing as she opened the door. Looking back Jack looked like a lost puppy and a new idea formed in her mind. Getting in the car she grabbed the notebook from her bag, writing down the instructions on how to get there and took it over to Jack. “If she’s there text me immediately. I’m going to try one more place”

Jack didn’t ask questions and nodded, getting into his car he struggled to keep within the speed limits as he made his way to the one place he would have never thought to look but made sense. The cemetery car park was empty apart from a white sedan and a navy vw beetle and pulling up beside it he texted Carla to tell her she was right.

A million thoughts raced through Jacks mind, should he interrupt her, should he even be here considering the rumors going around about them but most of all was there hope for something to happen between them now?

“Turn left at the angel tombstone and head towards the large oak tree,” He mumbled, tucking Carla’s directions into his pocket and following the path he passed the angel. He had never spent much time in a cemetery, especially not at nightfall. The silence was unsettling and only broken by the gentle whooshing of the leaves on the tree and someone nearby a crow was cawing before settling for the night. Passing the oak, he didn’t need to look at the note again as the telltale head of red was seen over the grey and white tombstones and crosses marking the numerous lots occupied by the dead. This was it.

Taking a deep breath he headed over, his footsteps crunching loudly on the fallen leaves as he approached but she sat there unaware, the street light on the corner sending a dull light in her direction as the sky let the night take over. As he got closer he could hear her talking softly to the black marble marker of her brothers final resting place and he felt his heart breaking for her. “Em?”

Blood shot eyes found his, her cheeks were damp with tears and the bruise had reached its purple glory, instantly getting his attention. Her hand went up to wipe away her tears, shivering slightly the coldness seemed to be rising from the earth and remembering her bruise tried to hide it by dropping her head down and letting her hair cover her face. “What happened to your cheek?”

“Nothing. How did you know I was here?” Emily only felt a longing to go to Jack, the feelings she had been forcing herself to ignore all these months rising to the surface and she went back to looking at the tiny picture of her sibling in the corner of his tombstone.  She had been talking to Scott about him knowing the pair would have got along famously, was Jack turning up now a sign? It didn’t matter, despite the fact she was long over due to leave Greg it had only been hours since it happened. She couldn’t throw herself at the first available man she came across since that, not even Jack.

“Carla gave me a clue, I was, and well we all were worried about you. Em, what happened?” He sat beside her on the tiny wooden bench; tilting her face to look at him he winced at seeing the swollen lump on her pretty face. If Greg had done it, he was a dead man.

“I chased after Greg, he turned not realizing I was close behind him and I literally walked right into it” She saw the anger take over Jacks features, the way he tensed and clenched his own fist. “It was a complete accident. Settle down”

In a bid to do just that, or perhaps to give in to some of the need she was aching with she leant against his chest and sighed almost contently as his arm went around her back and held her close. She breathed him in, the heavy spicy scent of his expensive aftershave, the masculine hint of sweat from cricket practice and the orange Powerade still on his breath.

“I’m sorry you guys broke up” He wasn’t, inside he was more or less doing a happy dance. Savoring the feel of her tiny frame against his side Jack was happy to sit there forever.

“I’m not. It was a long time coming Jack. I just wish it had happened sooner, eight years for what? Some harsh words and an apology followed with an awkward goodbye? I went home and found the only things he had in my house was a toothbrush and some hair gel. I had nothing at his. How can two people who were meant to be in love be so non-existent in each other’s lives? We’re done and there isn’t even anything to walk away from” Her voice was breaking at the end, the truth hurt. She loved Greg, but not how people in love are supposed to love each other. Their breakup had already occurred only they were the last ones to see it.

“Things happen for a reason and when they’re suppose to happen even if it doesn’t make sense” Jack went quiet, still holding her as all around solar light decorations lit up from their positions by other graves. “Do you want some ice-cream?”

Emily laughed, albeit halfheartedly. Jack smiled gently down at her and she wiped her eyes again before nodding and she pulled away. “I would love some ice-cream”

Jack followed behind Emily as they headed back towards their houses, only he soon stopped at the tiny grocery store on the corner and bought ice-cream, chocolate and extra soft tissues before flying home to shower and change. Knocking on the door she called out for him to come in and he found her in the kitchen making a cup of tea.

Jack set up the snacks and found Breakfast at Tiffany’s to put on, setting up the perfect break up night for her. “I can’t believe you’re going to watch this with me”

Jack wasn’t the only one to change and in place of her tiny shorts and t-shirt she had on her harem pants that sat around her waist in such a way Jack had to make sure he didn’t stare each time she walked past him as the skin tight tank top inched a little high revealing skin. He couldn’t believe it either.

“What are friends for?” He sipped his tea wishing for something stronger as she reappeared with two spoons for the ice cream. Emily was totally at ease as she flopped down beside him on the sofa, and Jack caught a whiff of the coconut body butter she had put on after her own shower and without the tea to distract him he dug into the ice-cream instead.

“I’m glad you’re here, and my friend” Emily hit play and watched as Audrey ate her bagel outside Tiffany’s while Jack realized he could be deeper in the friends zone than he thought. He was certain she had some kind of feelings for him, but had he hoped too much?

‘Get a hold of yourself, it hasn’t even been twenty fours hours since they broke up!’ He scolded himself, trying to stop himself from glancing over at her every five minutes.

“You got chocolate too? What are the tissues for?” Emily raided the plastic bag on the coffee table, pulling out the tissues curiously.

“I didn’t know if you’d be much of a crier tonight or not but these are those super soft ones so it wont hurt your eyes or nose” Emily stared back at the tissues, how could one person be so thoughtful over something like tissues?

“Thanks” Her smile warmed him to his core and his smiled back. He was in big trouble.

‘Friends; be a friend’ Jack repeated over and over in his mind. By the end of the movie he had no idea what was going on, amused as Emily mouthed the words.

“Cat! Cat! Cat! Oh Cat!” Emily mimicked Holly as she looked for the cat, “God I love this movie and zoom in on the most beautiful kiss in the rain” she grabbed a tissue, a quiet sob escaping her as Moon River started and the camera zoomed out to get a full shot of the alley.

“I guess the cat is symbolic then?” Jack yawned, dreading work in the morning.

“Funny. Admit it, you enjoyed it” Emily teased, gathering the rubbish from the chocolate as Jack got their cups and followed her into the kitchen.

“Oh yeah, it was great” They headed back to the living room and Jack hesitated in leaving. “Its getting late, are you going to be ok?”

Nodding they headed to the front door, “I’ll be fine Jack, thank you for tonight”

The pair hugged each other tightly, neither one really wanting to separate until Emily kissed his cheek, pulling away Jack didn’t let go. Their faces were barely centimeters apart and Emily couldn’t help but lick her lips in anticipation but looking defeated, Jack finally let go. “You’re welcome Em. I’ll talk to you tomorrow ok?”

She could only nod, leaning against pole of the verandah she watched him drive away. Finding her phone she frowned seeing the crack on the screen and texted Carla trying to ignore the disappointment of what could have been.

 Coffee tomorrow? Need girl time!

Instead of a message, Carla soon appeared on her screen and answering Emily wasn’t sure what she was going to say exactly.

“Hey Em, coffee sounds good but I'm up now with Anna. Whats going on?”

“Lala, I’m in trouble” Emily curled up on the sofa, hating the fact Jacks cologne lingered around the pillows he had been leaning against. How creepy did that make her?

“Em, what’s wrong? I can be there in like fifteen” Carla’s voice was panicked and Emily instantly felt bad for worrying her

“Nothings wrong. It’s just. Carla its Jack”

“Oh?” Her worry was replaced with interest and she was glad Emily couldn’t see her smile. “What about Jack”

Emily told her about their impromptu movie night including the soft tissues but Carla knew there was more. “Spill it. And then he left – bullshit Em”

“I hugged him”

“And”

“He hugged me”

“Just spill it”

“I kissed his cheek”

“Just his cheek?”

Emily sighed, frowning and banged her head on the arm of the lounge. “God I wished it was more. We were there, looking at each other”

“Still holding each other?” Carla was enjoying this more than she should.

“Yes Carla! All I wanted was to kiss him”

“Why didn’t you then?” All she got was a groan in response. “Em, you deserve happiness. If this is where you’ll find it, go for it”

“Carla, it’s been like twelve hours since I broke up with Greg. Remember him, my EX-fiance” Emily snapped, there was a time and a place and Jack was not going to be some kind of rebound. He was a friend.

“Yeah you said it, EX”

“You’re not helping at all. Goodnight La” Hanging up she felt even less certain on what the future had in store. 

“Are you sure about this?” Emily grabbed her purse, following Carla out the door to the waiting taxi. To solve all her problems Carla was taking her out for a night of cocktails, dancing and single girl fun. Since Carla was married and it was the first time she was going out since having Anna, she was living through Emily.

“Of course! Your single like a pringle and…”

“Say it again, I’m not going” Emily stopped half way across the lawn, glaring at Carla. The couple of drinks Carla had already had was impacting her so much faster thanks to how long it had been since she drank last and Emily was getting nervous about going out.

“Promise I wont” Carla held the door open of the taxi and reluctantly Emily got in. Arriving at the bar things were looking up. Being a nineties night the spice girls greeted them as they walked in and grabbing their drinks they waited for Gemma. Hayley and Andre to join them. Of course the hot gossip with Emily’s split from Greg and after it was thoroughly discussed, it was Andre who bought it up the elephant in the room first.

“So that Jack guy still around?” All went quiet as they studied Emily’s reaction but thankfully she had enough to drink that it didn’t bother her so much.

“Yeah, he’s great” She grinned, lazily sipping her glass of champagne Carla and Andre shared a look.

“Rani said he was great in bed” Hayley giggled, “Get him out of the friend zone Em, he could be just what you need” She winked, turning to Gemma the pair didn’t notice the smile disappear of their friends face as they pointed at a guy near the bar.

“I just need the bathroom,” She mumbled, slipping away before Carla or Andre could stop her. Why did it bother her so much? All the jealously she had felt knowing Rani and Jack almost, well did have a thing came back with force and she was left looking at the sink feeling nauseous. Tonight was a mistake and she needed to go home.

Emily sent Carla a text telling her she was leaving and headed to the exit, only to be stopped by Carla as she hit the street. “Em, what’s going on?”

“Nothing I just drank to much” She lied, knowing full well Carla didn’t believe her.

“Em? Carla? Hey ladies” Emily’s stomach dropped as Jack joined them with Josh an some of the other footy guys with them. The group all greeted each other and the guys headed inside as Jack stayed with out, not sure why Emily looked so upset. “Having a good night?”

“Did you sleep with Rani?” Emily’s hands flew up to cover her mouth as her eyes went wide with shock. Her cheeks were warming to a shade darker than her hair and she wanted to find a rock to crawl under and die. Carla opened and closed her mouth, unable to form words, as Jack looked confused.

“Rani? What? No?” Emily believed him, taking the comfort she needed but shouldn’t have been wanting. “Ah, that’s random?”

“Sorry, Hayley said something and I was just curious” If not Rani, had there been someone else? She didn’t need to know and shifted uncomfortably.

“Ok?” Jack looked Carla for help but she only shrugged. “Are you girls going inside or moving on?”

“Moving on” Carla grabbed Emily’s arm and made a beeline for the taxi stand with Jack right behind them but they had been seen.

“Oh why am I not surprised?” Emily froze hearing Greg’s voice, and turning to look he left the line to get inside with some guys she didn’t know and headed over to them. “Jack. Buddy. Pal. See you’re looking after Em for me”

“Hello Greg” Jack replied calmly, extended his hand Emily regretted not leaving sooner. Greg was drunk, and she had heard the rumors about her and Jack from Paul. She didn’t need him making her feel guilty or a scene and even a blind person could tell that’s where this was going.

“I said you looking after her then J-ack” Greg poked Jack in the chest hard but he didn’t flinch.

“We’re just friends Greg. Leave him out of this” Emily stepped between them with Carla right behind her ready to defend her friend.

“Oh? Right cause that’s so believable. Friends” Nodding Greg stepped away, “So that whole birthday trip away was just as friends. All your little runs each night, just friends? I thought you were better than that Em, but I meant what I said. You are just a little slut” Beer was heavy on his breath repulsing Emily but her hand came up to connect with his face instantly, a perfect slap sound effect interrupting the night and now the people around them were paying attention. Jack went to move her away, trying to break it up but Emily pushed past him.

“Yeah Greg. That’s it; I’m slut because I have friends who are guys. You’re pathetic. I can’t believe I even stayed with you for all these years. You’re the most arrogant, selfish asshole I have ever known. I wanted to be nice about it, I wanted for us to be friends but you can fuck off to Sydney and I never ever want to even hear your name again” Sure it wasn’t as good as the speeches she had prepared in her mind, it wasn’t witty like she had seen women do on TV but as she stopped screaming at him like a crazy woman –she felt better. There was some kind of closure there now, more complete than their nice little goodbye. He could spread rumors and call her names but it didn’t matter to her anymore.

Joshua and Gemma appeared beside Jack having just seen it all. The only thing on Emily’s mind was getting another drink and she turned to go up the street to another bar. Carla and Gemma chased after her while the three men stayed put. While nothing may be happening with Jack and Emily, Joshua wasn’t an idiot. Anyone could see their chemistry but they hadn’t acted on it and Joshua always felt loyal to Scott and watching out for his little sister. “It’s over man, don’t be an asshole about it”

“You on this prick’s side Josh?” Greg snapped, glancing in the direct Emily went he suddenly felt desperate to try and apologize.

“I told you mate, any one of us would do anything for that girl. Back off before it’s not just us you have to deal with” Jack kept quiet; as much as he wanted to lay into Greg he let Joshua handle the situation.

“Whatever. She isn’t worth it” He glared at both of them before stalking back towards his friends, knowing full well she as and he had most definitely ruined it.

“Come on, I need a beer” Joshua tugged on Jacks sleeve slightly and the pair headed in the direction of where the girls had gone. Gemma and Carla stood by a furious looking Emily who watched the bartended pour tequila into the many shot glasses lined up in front of her.

“Em, you ok?” Joshua went to hug her but she didn’t respond like she normally would have.

“Next person who asks me that has to do two shots of…” She glanced over the variety of bottles behind the bar, “Sambuca, no chasers” The group all cringed, not fans of the liqueur and took the tequila shot she was handing out as Jack stood beside her.

Turning to Jack, Emily clinked her shot glass with his but held off taking the drink. “Just promise me one think Jack”

“Whats that?”

“Don’t take me home till I’m very very drunk” She downed the tequila; turning the barman he poured another. “So do you promise?”

“Sure Em” Jack looked nervously at Carla who only shrugged; taking her own second shot she soon had Emily out on the dance floor and they all followed. Last time Emily and Jack danced together, the fact Emily wasn’t his girl had left them with boundaries to follow. Now all those lines were blurred and the more they drank, the worse it got. His hands were strong and firm on Emily’s body, the pair finding their own rhythm as every logical part of Jacks brain was screaming at him to back off. She was definitely drunk, he was getting that way too and some how he managed to resist finding out just how good her lips would feel against his. Not touching completely was acting like a more of a turn on than anything else, and they were both charged with their own building electricity. Carla went home at two, Joshua and Gemma not long after that and as the dance floor started to close in on them, Emily needed to get out.

She turned to face him; her eyes glazed over with her drunken state Jack couldn’t help but stare at how beautiful she was. He knew it, he was in love with her and as she finally reached up to him with her hands around his neck the moment he had been dreaming off was turning into reality. Or so he thought but as no kiss came, he opened his eyes as she spoke in a slur of words as speaking became as hard as standing or keeping her eyes open.

“I’m very drunk now Jack. Take me home”