‘You’re not acting very “fine”,’ he said, sounding concerned.
I took a deep breath. ‘You’re right. There’s something bothering me.’
‘Anything I can help with?’
‘I hope so.’
I turned to face him. ‘There’s something I need to do before we walk any further. I hope it won’t annoy you.’ I leaned in and kissed him full on the mouth, gently at first, then harder. Thankfully he responded. Being pushed away would have been mortifying. I closed my eyes and tried to make myself go with the moment. But there wasn’t really a ‘moment’ to go with; it just didn’t feel right. I pulled away and we stood looking at each other. My mouth started twitching in the corners. His did too. Within seconds we were both laughing.
‘Was it just me, or did that feel wrong?’ I fought the urge to wipe my mouth.
‘I don’t know what it was,’ he agreed, ‘but it felt like kissing a relative. Not that I’ve ever kissed a relative like that, mind you.’
‘You don’t fancy me do you, Stevie?’
He let out a big sigh and looked at me sadly. ‘No. I’m so sorry. I want to but I just don’t. You don’t fancy me either, do you?’
I pulled a sad expression too. ‘No. Which is strange because Idothink you’re attractive and we have so much in common so you should be perfect for me. At the risk of sounding like a six-year-old, will you be my friend?’
Stevie laughed and gave me a hug. ‘I’d be honoured. We can be cinema buddies. What do you think?’
‘Sounds perfect.’ I exhaled loudly as I linked his arm and pulled him in the direction of the cinema. ‘I’m so glad we got that out in the open. So, tell me new bezzie mate, is there anyone else online that you like the sound of? Maybe we can help each other find The One.’
‘Well, there is this woman called Rachel…’
?? To Clare
Back from my date with Stevie. Kissed him. Felt nothing. He was the same. Agreed we’ll be good friends as there’s no chemistry. I guess that means he’s not The Steven either. Pants
?? From Clare
Who’s next on the list?
I rolled off the sofa and headed for the fridge. Taking a pen, I updated my list:
1Check out Steve Dennison on pub crawl tonight
Go to The Coffee Corner for take-out on way to shop tomorrow morning to check out the manager, Stéphan Marcell
MessageStevie Barnes,Steve Berry, Ste Parker, Steve Masterson and Stephen Fitzpatrick
Arrange dates with one or more of the above
Get very drunk tonight. And probably tomorrow night too
Buy bacon for sarnies on Sunday morning. Buy ketchup for Clare
Next on the list? Steve Berry. He’d messaged a few days ago and I got distracted by the whole Steve ‘Dr Who’ Dennison thing and meeting Stevie. The man deserved a reply…
But then my phone beeped.
?? From Nick
Hi from a freezing Edinburgh. Windy city? It’s like a constant hurricane! I swear I’m so battered by the wind that my body is covered in bruises! Are you still on for Thursday? Can’t wait to catch up with you xx
Aw, bless him. I’d kiss those bruises better.Whoa there, Sarah! Where did that come from? You seriously must stop thinking about Nick like that. You’ve got a list of Stevens to contact and you’re about to get in touch with one of them.
But making contact with Steve Berry didn’t seem quite so urgent anymore.
