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Jerome couldn't believe she'd said yes. In all fairness, as soon as he'd asked her to go roller skating with him, he had prepared himself for a no. But she had nodded, warning him that she couldn't roller skate well, so he would have to help her. Which he readily agreed to.

"Feels good to be somewhere without Campbell?" he asked as they put on their skates at the end of the park.

Mara smiled at him "It feels good to be somewhere with my best friend." She corrected, not wanting to say anything mean about her boyfriend. Jerome rolled his eyes, and stood up. Mara looked at him and her face turned red "Really Jerome, I'm quite bad."

"Can't really imagine you being bad at anything," he whispered, taking her hand and helping her stand. Almost immediately she slipped and he jutted his arm around her waist and caught her, his eyes wide with worry. Before he laughed "Mara!" he laughed

Mara smiled "Sorry,"

Jerome spent the next half an hour trying to teach her the basic concept of moving on wheels, but after 35 minutes, he realised it was futile. "How about," he said eventually "I just skate around with you?" He wrapped his around her waist, trying to ignore the electricity he felt everywhere inside him, and the two skated around, Mara clinging to him. And he really liked the feeling.

So an hour later when they both skated off to the side to take off their shoes, he was rather disappointed. "We should do it again,"

Mara laughed "You're very polite Jerome,"

"What do you mean?"

"I was literally hanging off you for dear life, and you want to do it again," she shook her head "I don't even know why I said yes really,"

"I enjoyed it," Jerome said earnestly "I really want to do it again, you know, if Mick ever lets you out of his sights,"

Mara turned to him, and cocked her head slightly, "You really don't like him do you?" Jerome gave her a pointed look, placing the skates into his bag and sliding on his trainers "Why not? What's he ever done to you?"

Jerome watched her for a long time, before giving a quiet answer "I suppose I'm jealous," he said. Swinging the bag over his shoulder. Mara slipped on her pumps, happy to be flat on her feet again.

She made her voice more gentle "Oh Jerome, why? What does he have that you don't?"

They both walked slowly out of the park and down the path "You,"

Mara stopped, looking up at him "You have me too Jerome, you're my best friend,"

"Couldn't it be the other way round?" Jerome almost begged "I'm your boyfriend and Mick's your best friend?"

Mara's heart broke at the sight of him "I love you and Mick differently," she struggled. Jerome nodded, looking down. "I didn't know you still-"

"Never stopped."

"Oh." Mara looked down at her feet and the two walked in silence "And that's why you hate Mick?"

"That's the only reason." Jerome's voice was quiet, and Mara turned towards him "Sorry, Mara. I know this only makes your life more stressful, and I don't want to make it any harder-"

"Am I that horrible?" she wandered out loud, cutting him off "That you feel you can't tell me how you feel? Jerome, you're feelings will always come before mine. If it makes you uncomfortable to see Mick and I together…we won't…flaunt it as much. Especially if it hurts you. And…you know, one day…if Mick and I don't make it…and you still liked me…I would love to give us a go,"

Jerome's eyes brightened slightly "Really?"

Mara nodded, leaning forward and kissing him very lightly on the lips. A promise for what they could be.

And it was more than enough for Jerome.

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