darker_london | Renee / Jocelin - Right number (Reply)

It had been some time since Renee had been in contact with the Welsh crew, aside from Charlie of course. Ry had been quiet, but doubtless because he was busy with studies. When Renee did hear from him, he certainly didn't give any indication that anything was amiss up there. It all seemed good. Nevertheless, there was one figure in particular whom she hadn't heard from in a while, and it was he she dialed in a quiet moment, neither Deirdre nor Kait being around. She flopped herself down onto the bed, reclining against the large pillows as she listened to Jocelin's phone ring.

"Renee." Jocelin's greeting was deep and almost neutral, but Renee fancied she could detect a modicum of pleasure in his voice at receiving a call from her.

"Jocelin, how are you?" Her own smile was evident in her voice.

"Well," the man responded in his usual concise manner. "How are you, Renee?"

"Well," she returned, with only slight mockery. "I haven't heard from you in a while. I just wanted to catch up."

"Hmm." That was a response Renee was well used to hearing from Jocelin. "Little of note is occurring here."

"I hear Ry's been busy. What have you been doing with yourself while he's been cloistered away?"

"I've not been doing anything with myself that I couldn't get someone else to do for me." Renee could hear his smirk now. "You know me better than that."

"Or perhaps I don't know you well enough," Renee said with a grin, meaning Biblically of course. Jocelin was an attractive man, after all. Had she been single... it was a naughty thought, but unlike thinking about Scarlett, it wasn't one that brought any pain. Just the pleasure of idle fantasy.

"Indeed," and there was something of a purr in his voice. He liked this.

"Are you still working with Idris?"

"Yes."

"You should send me the photos."

"We shall see. Perhaps you ought to ask him. The work is his to share."

Renee raised an eyebrow, despite the fact that Jocelin wouldn't be able to see it. "Are you honestly telling me that you haven't kept copies for yourself?"

"I have a mirror."

"Of course you do," Renee said with a little eyeroll. Jocelin made no reply, and after a few moments, Renee said in a softer voice, "I miss you."

The silence lasted a little longer before Jocelin spoke. "You should grace us with your presence, then."

That brought a big smile to Renee's features. "All right. I'll come next weekend." She tilted her face a little into the phone, as though to lean against Jocelin. Silence again until he spoke.

"I will see you on Friday evening, then."

"Friday evening," she said warmly, and the phone clicked with Jocelin's hanging up. Renee let out a little sigh, and closed her eyes. Whatever anybody else thought of him, she loved Jocelin. And in that moment, she felt blessed to be one of the select few he counted among his friends.