‘It’s so busy here tonight, how did you manage to get tickets? I’d heard it sold out within hours.’
‘I have a confession, I know the comedian,’ I say as we weave our way to pick up our tickets. ‘He’s my best friend, we grew up together. He’s not back that often now but the timing seemed perfect … comedy night for our C date and we can all hang out after the show.’
‘You’refriendswith Dylan Smith?’
‘Yes and he’s very lucky to have me.’
‘No doubt. Whenever I stay at my brother’s house we always end up watching his TV show. My sister-in-law Ellie thinks he’s hilarious and, I suspect, has a massive crush on him too.’
I laugh. ‘Don’t mention that to Dylan, he’s got a big enough head already!’
Zach and I are sat close to the stage and he’s howling with laughter as Dylan makes jokes about the realities of being a Yorkshireman in London. I’m so proud of him though it’s always a bit weird seeing the boy who used to come around to my house to raid the Mini Milks in the freezer on stage as one of the hottest comedians around.
As Zach reaches out to grab his drink I feel his hand accidentally graze mine. My fingers tingle in response and I’m convinced that sparks are flying again, which sends my brain into a sudden tailspin. I think there’s chemistry but does he like me back? And why do I want him to when I know that tiny sparks can lead to big fires which hurt people? Oh my god, I need to chill out. It is not like me to overthink things. Turning my attention back to the stage, I focus on watching Dylan’s friendly face make people laugh and I stand up along with everyone else as his set draws to a close, the venue filling with applause.
‘What did you think?’ I ask Zach over the din.
‘He’s really funny,’ he smiles back at me. ‘Plus I love live comedy, so that was a good shout for our C date …’
‘Great!’
‘Listen … Alice, I was wondering if you fancied … grabbing … just the—’
I can’t hear what he’s saying, it’s that loud in here, but I feel my phone vibrating so I pull it out of my pocket, smiling apologetically at Zach for having interrupted him. ‘I’ve just got a text from Dylan,’ I shout, pointing at my phone and then back to the now-empty stage in a kind of sign language. ‘He says do we want to go grab drinks at Public. DRINKS.’ I throw back an imaginary shot. Zach frowns so I motion for us to head outside.
‘Dylan’s suggesting drinks.’ I say when it’s quieter. ‘Is that ok with you? Sorry, what were you saying in there?’
‘No, I was just chatting rubbish. Yeah, if you want to go for drinks with Dylan let’s do that.’
The streets are full of people spilling out of pubs and bars to make the most of the warm early summer air.
‘It feels like I’m on holiday,’ I say as we make our way to the bar.
‘I was thinking the same thing,’ Zach replies.
‘It’s amazing how Sheffield can do that. I love this city.’
‘Ah, it’s being in your company that does it for me.’
Oh that’s cute. That’s definitely not something a guy says to you when he just wants to be mates, right?! We’ve reached the bar now and I turn to face Zach, the questions ricocheting around my mind coming to a stop when our eyes lock. Slowly, he reaches an arm around my back and I step closer, neither of us losing eye contact as I rest one hand on his chest.
This isdefinitelya kiss moment.
My heart starts to race and warmth pools at my back where Zach’s fingers have found a tiny patch of skin between my top and my jeans. The feel of his touch on my bare skin is electric. He leans down ever so slowly and I tip my head up to meet his.
‘PICKLE!’
The shout comes from across the street, causing us to pull apart. It’s Dylan, striding towards us.
FFS Dylan.
‘Oops, sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.’ He winks at me as he realises what he’s just gate-crashed.
‘Pickle?’ Zach says, eyebrows raised.
Bloody hell.
‘He’s called me that forever,’ I explain. ‘Zach, this is my deeply annoying friend Dylan. Dylan, this is Zach.’
