‘But I gather it improved?’
‘It did.’
‘Thanks to the men you were out at the bar with?’ He wiggled his eyebrows and I gave him a look.
‘Just one of them. Mario.’
He nodded. ‘Fair enough.’
‘I just felt funny as everyone was already paired up, and I was sort of wondering if I’d done the right thing, but then Mario arrived.
‘And saved the day.’
‘Well, that might be overcooking it a little, but it was nice not to have to sit out and wait to be swapped in with someone.’
‘He any good?’
‘He’s done a bit before, so it was nice to have a bit of guidance, but basically we just had a really good laugh.’
‘That’s good. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself in the end. So, where does the other guy come into it?’
‘Andy? We met up with him after and went for a drink with Jess and Harry too.’
‘Oh right. Didn’t you tell your mum all this?’
‘Yes, why?’
‘I just thought it might have taken the heat off a bit.’
‘Ohhhhh, I see. Yes, well, initially she was terribly excited about Mario, you’re right.’
‘Initially?’
‘Yes. But when I explained that Andy was Mario’s boyfriend, her mind was immediately filled with images of me on a dusty shelf again.’
Seb let out a laugh. ‘You will never be left on a shelf, dusty or otherwise.’
‘Thank you for your vote of confidence.’
‘Just saying it like it is.’
I smiled and tilted my head down, ostensibly to check on Humphrey but also to try and hide the blush that I felt creeping up my face.
‘It’s ever so cute when you blush.’
I looked back up. ‘Oh, be quiet,’ I said, laughing.
He gave me that slightly crooked grin again as he moved and adjusted his leg on the sofa, out of my sight. As he did so, I caught a flash of pain dart across his features.
‘Is it bad today?’ I asked.
He shook his head.
‘You’re a terrible liar.’
‘I don’t think you’d make a great one either, Ms Blushy Face, so we’re a good pair.’
‘True. Was it bad before you went on your marathon hike?’ I pressed.
