They ate ice cream, taking advantage of the early autumnal sunshine as they meandered through Covent Garden, trading pieces of information to fill in the blank slate of years lost. He started from the end and reversed, realising he'd forgotten how wonderful a listener she was.
"Dan told me he would out himself. I'm glad he did, it was a pretty major conspiracy to keep going."
"You knew the whole time?"
"Not the whole time. I figured it out after you graduated; I was Queen, I thought I could use it."
"Huh. I see you ditched the eyeliner."
"I see you ditched the man bangs." They chuckled, ice broken.
"Hey I meant what I said back there. That dress is...incredible."
"It's based on a bird of paradise. The whole show is nature themed."
"I'm a little surprised. Jenny Humphrey and colour? Weren't you all about the black and the emo- "
"Hey," she whacked his shoulder playfully. "I had to get my inspiration from somewhere."
"What was your inspiration in New York?" She looked at him, willing him to read the answer in her eyes.
"I can't remember."
Eric was waiting for her at The Square.
"I'm sorry, I know I'm late," she said, kissing him on the cheek.
"Hey relax, I know you're busy. I mean the show's tomorrow."
"Right. Sure." Eric knew Jenny better than he knew himself. She was clearly on edge and his initial theory of nerves fell by the wayside as she turned in monosyllabic replies to his questions. If Jenny had been that nervous she wouldn't even have turned up. She would be pulling an all nighter in the studio. He waited. Finally, as the crème caramel arrived she snapped. "Eric?"
"Jennifer."
"Nate's in town. For Fashion Week. He says hi."
"Is that why you're late?"
"Yup. I promised we'd have dinner on Thursday. He leaves for Italy at the end of the week. You're invited." Eric was silent. "What?"
"Nothing. I just... he always turns up."
"I know."
"You don't need him anymore J."
"I know." It had been a long time since she'd needed him. But she wasn't sure if she'd quite stopped wanting him yet.