“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah, so it’s this innovation team who travels to different geos to work with international colleagues and learn from other organisations, then shares the collective knowledge—kind of like a team of techy diplomats.”

“Wow, that sounds incredible.”

“Yes! And she convinced me to apply, and I did, aaand … I got accepted!”

“Oh, my god, that’s amazing, Josh!” My joy for him bubbled up into a laugh. “Congratulations!” He was grinning so widely that I wanted to zap myself through the screen and be there in person to share his news. “I wish I could give you a big hug. And I hope this doesn’t come across as condescending, but I’m really proud of you.”

“Thanks!” he replied. “I’m super excited. But, Sarah, that’s not all. The team’s first trip might be to Sydney.”

“You’re coming to Sydney?!” I started bouncing up and down. And I won’t lie, James did not enter my head at all. Josh was coming to Sydney.

“Well, not officially yet and if we do, I’m not sure for how long. It might just be a week, and I’d be working most of the time, but it would be cool to see you.”

I stopped bouncing. Cool to see me?

Was this more “vacationship” bullshit—just another week of shagging and then he’s off? I caught sight of my face in the corner of the screen, and I was frowning. I pasted on a neutral expression and tried to summon some enthusiasm. “So, when will you find out?”

“I should know sometime next week—it’s between Sydney and Mumbai. Of course, I’m rooting for Sydney. And if we are coming to Australia, it’ll likely be in the next month or so.”

“Wow, that’s soon.” And suddenly, James did enter my mind. If Josh’s company chose Sydney over Mumbai, then he and James would be in Sydney at the same time.

“So, I’ll let you know as soon as I do. It would be so awesome, Sarah. You can show me around your hometown. I mean, I’d be working during the day, like I said—and so will you by then—but we can see each other in the evenings. And I think we’d have at least one weekend there. They’re even putting us up in an apartment in the city. I’d be sharing, but you could stay over if you wanted.”

If I wanted? I wasn’t sure what I wanted. And who knew what Josh coming to Sydney would mean for us, how it might affect our friendship, or vacationship, or whatever the hell it was.

As I wrestled with these thoughts, I tried—but failed—to ignore that next to my bed was a suitcase packed to go on a trip with James—who Josh didn’t want me to see.

I wasn’t sure why I had ever thought it was a good idea to have two boyfriends. I sucked at it.

Josh, probably blinded by his excitement, didn’t seem to notice how deflated I’d become. Instead, his smile beamed out of the screen at me, making me feel sick. I knew then, right in that moment, I was going to have to make a decision—and soon.