Nick laughed. ‘If, in the meantime, you find a non-Steven who you find yourself attracted to, maybe you should just go with it and accept your clairvoyant was wrong about the name.’ He looked at me again with that same intensity I’d felt in the shop. Did he mean him?The idea gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling.
Nick smiled then nodded at the glass I’d just drained. ‘Another?’
I looked at my watch. ‘I’ve kept you for over two hours. Don’t you need to do some work?’
‘I’ve had four pints and it’s not even dinnertime. I don’t think I’d be capable of doing anything that I wouldn’t have to re-do sober tomorrow so I’m all yours if you want me. But don’t let me keep you if you need to do something in the shop.’
I stretched and breathed in deeply. ‘I think I’ll be pretty useless too so I’m all yours if you want me too.’
We held each other’s gaze. We’d both said, ‘if you want me’. What was going on? Were we testing the water? Were we flirting? It felt like it.
‘Looks like we’re stuck with each other then,’ Nick said. ‘I’ll get them in.’
I gently touched his arm. ‘Before you go, answer me one question.’
‘Anything.’
‘Do you have a middle name?’
He smiled. ‘Yes.’
‘I don’t suppose it’s Steven, is it?’ I chewed my lip.
Nick laughed. ‘Sorry. It’s John after my dad.’
I twiddled with a strand of hair. ‘Just checking.’
His eyes seemed to drink me in as he said, ‘I wish it was Steven. I really do.’
12
?? From Nick
How’s the search going for the elusive Steven? Had a great time with you on Wednesday. Hope we can do it again soon. Still available to do your website… if you really want one! Met a Steve today & thought of you… but he was bald and had no teeth. Decided not to give him your number!
It was Friday evening and I’d caught the bus to Elise’s house after finishing what I needed to do in the shop. I laughed at Nick’s message then put my phone back in my bag. ‘Sorry about that,’ I said to Elise. ‘Where were we?’
‘Not so fast,’ she said. ‘I know that smile.’
‘What?’ I concentrated on curling my legs under me on her sofa in an effort not to catch her eye.
‘Don’t play Little Miss Innocent with me. That’s your “I like someone” smile.’
‘It is not.’
‘It is too. Who was it?’
‘Nobody. Just a new friend.’
‘A friend?’ Elise raised an eyebrow. ‘Amalefriend?’
‘Will you stop it with the implications?’ I raised both eyebrowsback at her. ‘It’s a guy called Nick. Auntie Kay decided to set us up. She was about as subtle as a brick so we sussed her out but decided to have a few drinks together anyway. Just as friends.’
‘Is he single?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good-looking?’
