Ash let the background song fill the silence between them as she struggled to think of an appropriate response to that. ‘Sort of. Once. It wasn’t a big deal. We just bumped into each other at a club, the last time he was staying, and we danced together.’
Romesh sat back and pressed a hand to his chest. ‘Oh my God. Youdanced. And he didn’t propose? Sweet heaven, Ashleigh, do you want me break his nose?’
‘Fuck off, Ro.’ Her cheeks flamed again. ‘I know it was just a dance…but it was quite intimate dancing and it’s a bit awkward. You should’ve told me that you were going to invite him.’
‘You should’ve told me that you got some Olivier action, you lucky thing – even if itwasjust dirty dancing. We’re best friends and you had the perfect opportunity last night on the phone. Oh, and for the last seven years too,’ Romesh countered.
Ash’s lips parted to object and then she sighed. ‘Yeah. Yeah I should’ve. Sorry.’
‘Okay. Forgiven.’ He scooted closer and pulled her hand out from where it was tucked defensively around her chest, so he could hold it. ‘Now. Explain to me please why this is all so awkward for you? Is it some heterosexual weirdness I’m not understanding? If it’s water under the bridge, you can go back to being friends, and if it’s not… Well, our hot French friend is divorced now you know. So, which is it?’
She gave an awkward shrug, aware that she probably looked like a petulant child. ‘Like I said last night – I don’t really know him anymore.’
‘I see, so this obvious attraction you have for him, it’s more, a top-level, shallow, physical thing. Not so much a crush as a general “phwoar, I’d like a piece of that?”’ he asked, with all the gravity of a scientist outlining the perimeters of an experiment.
Ash couldn’t help but laugh. ‘How on earth do you manage to ask questions like that and keep a straight face?’
‘Some people are just blessed. Now, don’t deflect. I’m not judging. At all. I’d just like to say, that you don’tneedto know him, togettoknowhim, if you know what I mean?’
‘Ro, there are deaf and blind monks in the Alps who know what you mean.’
He sighed. ‘Okay, okay, I yield to your defences. I have way too many questions around this topic to drag it all out of you here and now, when he’s going to join us at any moment, and I really,reallydo have to pee before the quiz starts. Just promise me we will talk about this again. No more secrets?’
‘I promise. Hang on. You need to promise me something too. You won’t talk tohimabout it will you?’
‘I am o-ffended, Ashleigh Jacobs. Of course I won’t tell him you fancy him. We’re not kids anymore are we? I’m not going to pass him a note with “do you want to go out with my BFF?” and yes, no and maybe tick boxes underneath.’
She sunk back against the cushions in relief. ‘Okay, thank you.’
He gave a nod, kissed the side of her head and hurried off to the toilets. As she drunk the last of her wine, her gaze strayed over the clusters of tables with people gathered around over their glasses, the contents a rainbow of colours, to the bar. Olivier was leaning on his elbows talking to Luke, who was smiling widely at him. Probably being hypnotised by those twinkling eyes that worked like a kaleidoscope, shifting from light brown to gold to green, and his silky hair, and sexy smile and melodious voice. The way the muscles in his arms and shoulders tugged at his shirt, making the buttons work extra hard, as he put his hand in his back pocket for his wallet.
No, they certainly weren’t kids anymore.
And so she didn’t have to fall into the same pattern if she didn’t want to, did she? She didn’thaveto be the party-pooper. She could be fun. Or she could try to be.
