I pull my hair into a messy bun as I think about it.
‘No,’ I say eventually. ‘You’re right, it did take guts.’
‘No one is baggage-free, Alice. We all have stories to tell.’
She’s right. And now that I’ve calmed down a bit I’m ready to reply to his message.
I appreciate your honesty Zach. I just want to make it clear that if I’m in this, then I need to know that you are too. I don’t want what happened in your last relationship to happen again with us.
Alice, I am so in this.He types back instantly.
Meet me at 9 a.m. next Saturday, then?
It’s a date. You won’t regret this x
‘Gerty! I’ve been very much looking forward to seeing you again,’ I grin, patting the car bonnet affectionately when she’s parked outside my house a week later as instructed. ‘Glad you brought your chauffeur, too,’ I nod towards Zach.
‘Objection, your honour. I’m also a gift-bearer,’ Zach says, nervously handing me a large paper bag.
‘Shall I open it?’
‘That’s sort of the point,’ he teases.
I reach inside, pulling out a framed piece of art. Bright splashes of colour cluster together like an abstract bunch of flowers. I trace it with my finger. It’s signed by Zach.
‘You painted this?’
‘I was in the studio thinking about you and playing around with colour. I thought you might like it?’ He looks so hopeful.
‘I love it. I’m really touched you made this for me.’
‘It’s my way of saying thanks, I guess. For giving me a chance. I want you to know that I am so into what we have.’
I look over at him, struck with how much he seems to care, and feel instantly like I’ve made the right decision.
‘Plus you said you were redecorating so I thought you might like to have something new to hang on your walls when you’re done?’ He’s leaning against Gerty and watching me nervously.
‘That’s really sweet, Zach. So, shall we?’
‘Let’s. You might want to tell me where we’re going first, though.’
‘Clue: cheap meatballs.’
‘IKEA?’
I high five my date. ‘Hells yes. Have you seen500 Days of Summer?’
Zach nods. Of course he has.
‘Well, I was writing a list of stuff I need to decorate when it struck me that there’s no bigger test than going to IKEA with the guy you’re seeing. And you’re convinced I’m a commitment-phobe so …’
‘Are you going to prove to me that you’re not?’
‘I’m definitely going to pretend I’m Zooey Deschanel and also eat a lot of meatballs.’
Laughing, Zach opens up the passenger door and I hop in.
‘Tiny pencil?’ I ask.
