‘You are very much in my bad books,’ he whispers in my ear. I try to look remonstrated but to be fair, I’m just thrilled he’s actually here.
‘Would you like to choose a song?’ I ask.
‘Er, no.’
I press on. ‘It needs to be a duet because obviously I’m joining you. How about Robbie and Kylie’s ‘Kids’? Do you know it?’
Zach gives me the side eye. ‘Remember my Point Romance days? I was also quite into Take That,’ he whispers.
I could squeal with glee. I love this about him!
‘Take That forever!’ cheers Nat.
Zach looks up, horrified.
‘Ah, yeah, I forgot to say that our mics are still on,’ I point out, biting my lip.
Zach gives me a jokey death stare and I give his hand a squeeze, starting the music. I fully expect Zach to just close his eyes and mumble through it as quickly as possible, but oh how wrong I am. Zach is the gift that keeps on giving. It turns out he already knows all the words to ‘Kids’ so he doesn’t need the lyric prompts on screen. He’s even prompting me when it’s Kylie’s turn.
He can sing! His eyes are on me and I channel Kylie Minogue for a minute, visualising those gold hot pants and wondering if Zach ever went through a guyliner phase. My guess is yes.
It’s been a while since I listened to this song in full and I had completely forgotten about Robbie’s rap. But it turns out Zach hasn’t. He’s rapping away with a Stoke on Trent accent just like his favourite Take Thatter and I amdeceased. Literally folded over in hysterics as Zach throws himself into it. I manage to pull myself together for the final chorus.
‘SO COME ON, ju-u-ump on board,’ booms Zach, so into it now that his hands are in the air and our entire booth has jumped to their feet, singing and dancing along.
This is amazing! And pretty sexy, actually. I wrap my hands around his waist as we sing.
‘GET A ROOM!’ shouts Nat as we get to the end.
Still hot from singing, Zach and I collapse down next to each other while Natalie whips the rest of our mini-crowd into a frenzy with her rendition of Lizzo’s ‘Juice’.
‘How do you feel about Nelly and Kelly’s ‘Dilemma’?’ I ask.
‘Huh?’
‘For our next duet?’ I pant. ‘That was so much fun!’
Zach scratches his forehead. ‘It was fun but I’m not sure I can face another one.’
‘Why not? Everyone loved it!’ I say, taking a sip of my drink.
Zach frowns.
‘Okay fine, you pick the next one,’ I concede.
‘I was hoping that might have been enough,’ he says and instantly I realise that I’m pushing him too far.
‘I’ve made you uncomfortable.’
‘No, well, not really,’ he replies, grabbing my hand. ‘I think there’s only so much public singing this introvert can take, though.’
‘I get it. You’re a really good singer though, Zach. Maybe you could put on a little private show for me later.’
He runs his fingers along his jaw-line as he takes a slug of beer.
‘Maybe,’ he smiles wryly. ‘I hope you don’t think I’m a killjoy. Sometimes I worry that I’m not good enough for you in situations like this.’
I take a sip of my own beer and realise I am quite tipsy.
