‘That’s not true at all. I’m definitely more of an extrovert but did you see yourself up there a minute ago? You’re a secret entertainer, Zach.’
He laughs at that, looking bashful.
‘It was fun,’ he admits. ‘Just go easy on me, okay. I’m not a natural life-and-soul-of-the-party kind of person like you are.’
Not long ago I was asking Zach to go easy on me in the romance stakes. How funny that things can turn around so quickly.
‘I actually think we complement each other pretty well,’ I say.
‘Agreed.’ We clink beer bottles and it feels like we’re enjoying a moment together when Natalie flops down next to Zach and readjusts her boobs. ‘We’ve got one song left so we’ve got to make it count. Only the Spice Girls will do now. Zach, do you know the words to ‘Wannabe’?’
Argh, Nat, don’t interrupt!
But Zach does something that surprises the heck out of me. Eyebrows raised in amusement, he shoots me a part-resigned, part-playful look. ‘Yes I do, Natalie.’
Nat leaps back up, taking his hands in hers. The fact that they get on so well makes me super happy.
‘Are you sure?’ I whisper to Zach now.
‘Why not,’ he says with a look of playful resignation. Thrilled, Nat marches us up to the front and Zach wraps his arm around my shoulder, handing me a microphone and quickly throwing himself into Mel B’s A-Z wrap. Instantly I’m reminded of the business card he gave me when we first met. How he’d boldly announced that we should work our way through a whole alphabet worth of dates and how I’d found the idea hilarious. As if we’d get past C! And yet here we are, on date K. The intense, brooding artist I thought might interest me for a couple of dates is now the man I’m seeing exclusively and currently to be found belting out Spice Girl lyrics at the top of his voice. Either the sequins on my dress are reflecting some serious light, or there are actual fireworks dancing above my head.
‘We’re calling it a night,’ Natalie winks at me as she and her date grab their stuff. ‘I’m going back to his.’
‘Text me his details so I know where you are, okay? And ring me when you get there. And stay safe. Have you got condoms?’
Natalie titters. ‘All right, Mum! I will be just fine, he’s a guy I know through work so don’t panic. This means you’ll have the house to yourself,’ she adds with a nudge.
I cast a glance at Zach, currently deep in conversation with Eve and Nicky about which Spice Girl is the best, and feel anticipation ripple through me. Home alone with my date. The last time we went for a big night out he left early but tonight’s he’s the last man standing.
‘You’re so lucky to have lived through all of that the first time around,’ Eve is saying, hanging off Zach’s every word. ‘I wasn’t even born when they had their first hit.’
‘Oh my god, I hate you a little bit,’ I laugh.
Zach’s grinning. ‘Apparently the Spice Girls are having a huge renaissance,’ he tells me. ‘As isFriends.’
‘Another classic,’ I nod.
‘Guys, I could stay and listen to you talk about old people stuff all night but Nicky and I need to get some beauty sleep and I haven’t even made my overnight oats yet.’
‘The kids of today! See you at work.’ I laugh, waving as they head off and turning to Zach. ‘Well, well, well. Fancy taking this ancient twenty-nine-year-old home for the night?’
‘Yes I do.’
‘I’m a tiny bit tipsy.’
‘Me too. Don’t take advantage now,’ he smoulders.
‘Never! Though I should probably warn you that I found your secret karaoke side very sexy.’
He laughs. ‘I knew my Take That days would come in handy one day.’
‘See! It’s not all that bad, is it? Letting yourself go can be very fun.’ I’m swirling my finger around on his chest now.
‘Well, let’s just say that I have no regrets. Can I take you home now?’ He pulls me into a kiss which takes my breath away and as we head outside to grab a taxi, I’m filled with this warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s been amazing to go out and let off some steam tonight, and now it feels just as good to be heading home with Zach. To know that I’ll be waking up next to him tomorrow morning.
Lunch
Zach
