‘You’re welcome. You ready to go?’
‘Yes.’
I pulled the door shut behind me and turned back to my date. He was looking at me with an expression I couldn’t quite make out.
‘What is it?’ I asked.
‘You.’
‘Oh.’ I shifted my weight.
Alex sensed something and brushed his fingers against my hand. ‘In a good way.’
I smiled, glancing down then back up, flattered by his compliment and the way he was looking at me. He held out his hand and I took it, partly because I wanted to and partly because the towering skinny heels on these shoes combined with the stairs to my flat ran the risk of being an accident waiting to happen.
‘That’s quite some grip you have there,’ Alex said when we got to the bottom. I glanced down at our hands and noticed his fingers were almost entirely white from where I’d slowed the blood supply as I clutched his hand. So much for the romantic hand-holding gesture.
‘Whoops. Sorry,’ I said, releasing his hand. He opened and closed his fist a couple of times to encourage the colour back.
He flashed me one of those easy-going smiles. ‘Not a problem. I like a woman who’d give me a decent run in an arm-wrestle.’
I raised one eyebrow. ‘Give you a run? I believe the words you meant to use were “beat me”.’
He laughed. ‘Is that so?’
‘I’m a woman of hidden talents.’
‘Now that, I don’t doubt for a minute.’
I smiled, the slight awkwardness of the first date pick up dissipating thanks to Alex’s perfectly timed banter.
‘I’m sorry. I’m just a little nervous. It’s quite a while since I went on an actual date.’
He stepped closer, his hand on the car door handle next to me. ‘I know. First dates can be like that. But we had fun at the barbecue. You already know me, sort of. And you look amazing. So just relax.’ I could smell the aftershave he wore, just a hint, nothing overpowering. His shirt was open at the neck and a slightly deeper tan ran above his collar line, a sign of his outdoor lifestyle, combined with patrol duties. His eyes watched me, a soft openness in their expression.
I nodded. ‘OK.’
He opened the door and a problem immediately became obvious. Alex’s four-by-four featured a high step up – one which certainly hadn’t been designed for anyone wearing a short silk dress. I half lifted one foot, then swapped and tried with the other. Each time I came horribly close to showing way more than I planned. I turned back to face him. For the first time, he looked slightly unsure. And then the confidence bounced back onto his face. He stepped in front of the open car door.
‘OK. Face me.’
‘Huh?’
‘Face me.’
I did so.
‘I know this isn’t ideal. But do you mind?’
‘Mind what?’
Placing his hands at my waist, he swiftly lifted me into the vehicle. I made a surprised squeak as he did so and clamped my knees together in an effort to preserve my modesty as I was now sitting sideways with my legs hanging over the edge of the seat, out of the door.
‘Oh. Mind that. Right.’
‘Sorry. Maybe I should have asked Charlie if I could borrow his car. It’s a little more impressive than this old thing.’
‘Don’t be silly. It’s just about finding a solution. Which we have.’
