‘Sorry. I was only joking.’
‘Food.’ Clare pulled me into a packed kebab shop. ‘Enough about Ben and back to tonight. Did you fancy Stevie?’
‘Not sure. He’s attractive, I enjoyed his company and we’ve got loads in common, but… I don’t know… I think there was something missing.’ It didn’t feel like it felt with Nick. But he had the right name, which was incredibly frustrating. ‘Maybe he’s nottheSteven.Or maybe he is and I’ll fall for him slowly. Why do you ask?’
‘There was something about the two of you together that I couldn’t quite pinpoint and it just hit me what it was when you said Rob looked like Saint Ben. Watching you and Stevie was like seeing you and Ben together. You had that same easy banter.’
I mulled her observation over. ‘You could be right. I guess we’ll see how it goes on Monday night. Maybe it will be different when it’s just the two of us.’
‘Maybe,’ Clare said. ‘Now, are you going to order anything cos I could kill a chicken kebab right now? I’ve got the munchies real bad.’
After the previous cinema fiasco with Steve Turner, I made sure I was on time for my date with Stevie. In fact, I was twelve minutes early. But so was he. We laughed as soon as we saw each other, since one of the things we’d discussed on Saturday night was our shared contempt for people who weren’t punctual.
‘How long have you been here?’ I said.
‘Seconds. Honest. I’ve got something for you.’ Stevie fished into his pocket and handed me a candy-striped paper bag.
I peeked in it. ‘You angel. You’ve bought me gummy bears.’
‘You said you liked them and I know the pick ‘n’ mix here doesn’t have them. Look what I’ve got.’ He pulled out another paper bag and opened it for me to take a peek.
‘Rhubarb and custards? Can we share?’
‘We certainly can. Ready to go in?’
I smiled as Stevie held the door open for me and asked me where I’d like to sit. What a contrast to my last cinema date.
‘This is me,’ I said as we arrived at Seashell Cottage after a quick post-film drink on the seafront. ‘I’ve not taken you too far out your way?’
‘I’m parked five minutes’ walk from here so it’s perfect.’
We looked at each other slightly awkwardly. Should I invite him in? I was tired, though. He’d understand.‘It’s work tomorrow and it’s late. Would you think I’m rude if I don’t invite you in for coffee?’
‘I have to get home to walk Bonnie so it’s perfect for me,’ Stevie said. ‘I’ve had fun, though. Fancy doing it again soon?’
‘I’d love to.’
Stevie smiled, flashing his cute dimples. Adorable. But fanciable? I still wasn’t sure. He didn’t give me butterflies. Not like Nick.
‘I’ve got a couple of things on at the end of the week,’ he said. ‘Is Wednesday too soon?’
‘I’ve got no plans so it sounds good to me.’
‘Great. I’ll message you to confirm a time and film.’
I nodded. ‘Do you want to leave your car here so we can walk together?’
‘Good plan. I’ll do that. Goodnight, then.’
‘Goodnight, Stevie.’ I tried to sound flirty but I’m not sure I pulled it off.
We stood there staring at each other, Awk-ward! It had been easy to avoid a first kiss on Saturday when Clare and Rob were there, but surely not kissing at the end of our second date – a successful date – would be wrong. I looked into his eyes. He was going to kiss me. Yep, he was definitely going to do it. Any minute now. But I didn’t lean in to make it any easier for him.
‘Right, goodnight then,’ he said.
‘You’ve already said that.’
‘So I have. Come here you.’ He reached out… he was so going to kiss me… and enveloped me in a huge bear hug. ‘Sleep well, Sarah.’
