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‘And…’
‘He wanted to come here. Tonight.’
‘With Henry in the same room? You know I find it hilarious your brother’s turned into a beta version of Travis Bickle, but you can’t jeopardise the festival by having him kick off at James in public.’
‘I know.’
Finn drew her in for a hug. ‘It’ll sort itself out, Stelle. These things generally do.’
She rested her head on his shoulder. ‘I don’t know how. It’s like the deck is stacked against us before the game has even started.’
‘Well, you could always play a couple of rounds of “poke-her” then call it quits?’
‘Finn!’ She pushed him away, trying not to laugh.
He grinned. ‘Now come back to the table and save me from Elyse, or Elyse from having to talk to people with facial hair.’
‘Okay, give me a minute and I’ll be there.’
Finn glanced at his watch. ‘Be quick. It’s starting soon.’
He went back across the pub and Estelle took out her phone.
James: I want to spend time with you outside of the office
James: Last night didn’t feel like faking to me
Her heart pitter-pattered inside her chest, the vibrations fluttering down into her belly. Hands trembling, she typed out a reply.
Estelle: What did it feel like?
James: The hottest experience of my life
Estelle’s feet stumbled as a wave of desire rolled through her. Holding onto the bar to steady herself, she glanced around the pub, positive that everyone knew the words she’d just read and how they made her feel.
‘Stelle!’ Finn yelled across the room. ‘They’re starting!’
He was sat next to Elyse, then there was an empty chair next to Ryan. As Estelle approached, Elyse moved into the spare chair next to Ryan, leaving Estelle to sit between Elyse and Finn.
‘Sorry everyone, I’m here now,’ Estelle said. ‘Elyse, have you got a drink?’
Elyse nodded. ‘Ryan got me one and you a rum and coke.’
‘Cheers Ryan. Next one’s on me.’
Leaning back in her seat, Estelle sent a message to James. He’d been honest, so she could be, too.
Estelle: It was for me too
‘Stelle! Switch it off,’ Finn grumbled.
‘Why?’
He gave her a look. ‘Because it’s cheating, you muppet. You have to have it on airplane mode or else it sits over there.’
She glanced at a table next to the mic stand. A clear plastic box sat on top containing a pile of mobile phones.
‘Okay, two secs.’
