‘That’s the spirit!’ I cheer, turning back to smile at Zach and spotting him trying to slink back to the booth again. I grab him by the hand. ‘Oh no you don’t!’
He smiles, kissing me firmly on the lips. ‘I actually thought I’d leave you to it.’
‘What?’ I ask, crestfallen. I thought we were having fun and don’t want him to go.
‘Come on, you don’t need me cramping your style any more.’
‘No, you’re not! I’m enjoying spending time with you. Why don’t we head off together?’
‘Alice, that’s really sweet but I can tell you’re having loads of fun with your girlfriends and you should make the most of that. Stay and enjoy your night, blow off some steam. Besides, it’s been a long day and I am knackered. Can I see you again soon?’ He asks, pulling me in for a kiss. My hand wanders inside his shell suit and I run a finger along the waistline of his trousers.
‘Yes please,’ I whisper.
‘It’s a date,’ he says, looking pleased. ‘Now go, have fun.’
I wave him goodbye then spin on my heels and head back to my girls.
‘Everything okay with Zach?’ Nat asks later. We’ve been dancing for hours and are taking a well-earned water break.
‘I’m not sure he could keep up with us,’ I say, kicking off my heels and rubbing my feet.
‘I guess we can be abitfull on,’ Nat says, nodding in the direction of Eve, who seems to be recreating some kind of Magic Mike moves in the middle of the club. I watch her for a while, letting my thoughts settle.
‘Zach’s actually earned some serious brownie points with me tonight,’ I say. ‘He knew that I was having fun here with you guys and he didn’t crowd me out, or stay and be grumpy because it wasn’t his thing. I offered to leave when he decided to call it a night and he insisted I stayed. I like that he was happy to give me space to do my thing.’
‘Yeah, that is thoughtful,’ Nat nods. ‘Jake always insisted we did everything together. I’m only realising now how claustrophobic that felt.’
‘Right? Couples often seem to merge into one person. I’ve lost count of how many of our friends now refer to themselves as “we” when I ask them how they are or what they’re doing.’
‘That’s so true and I know I was guilty of that when Jake and I were together.’
‘It’s nothing to feel guilty about, Nat. I can see that it’s cute, too. Feeling like a team, doing stuff together, being part of a little unit.’ I pause, not wanting to bang on about couples right when Nat seems to have got herself into a good place after her split.
‘Speaking of units, Jake was a total c-unit,’ she grins.
I hoot.
‘Zach, on the other hand, sounds like a winner.’
‘You think?’ I ask, unable to keep the smile from my mouth.
‘I do. And I think you do too.’
‘Well, I’m definitely feeling less freaked out about things now. I panicked on our last date but tonight he gave dancing a go even though it’s not his thing. He didn’t balk at a group hang out or insist on ending the night together. He totally put me first. I really appreciate that about him.’
‘Face it, babes, you like him.’
‘All right! Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,’ I laugh, pulling my heels back on and taking Nat’s hand for one last dance.
Film Festival
Zach
The sun is high but there’s still a freshness in the air when I pull up outside Alice’s house. She’s leaning against her front door wearing shorts and a jumper with a thunderbolt across it, her arms wrapped around her for warmth.
‘Like your jumper.’
‘Thank you. As you can see, I never did get the memo that you should stop dressing like a child when you hit adulthood. Plus this thunderbolt is made of sequins which change colour when you rub them.’
