Matt pauses chewing and gives me a subtle look of abject hopelessness. The only women he knows are either our good friends, the wives of friends, or women he’s banged after too many sambucas.
‘I’m sure Nick doesn’t need my help to get a date,’ he says. ‘A haircut might help his case, though.’
‘Nonsense,’ Sarah declares, watching me self-consciously touch my locks. ‘That mop of black hair is endearing as hell. It’s very appealing.’
‘Appalling, maybe,’ Matt mumbles, appearing slightly miffed at her comment. Sarah also has very nice hair. I love the way her fringe falls to the side when she wears it up and how—
‘Oh bollocks, I need to run,’ she says, jolting me back to reality. ‘Alfie’s not that used to sleepovers yet, so I don’t want to be late. Text me if I need to bring anything for Christmas dinner on Wednesday!’
She kisses Matt goodbye and waves at me as she dashes out the door.
Matt is quiet for a moment, casually sipping his coffee, but I can tell it’s coming.
‘So. . .’
‘Yes?’
Here it comes.
‘You guys hang out a lot then. You never said.’
I sigh. ‘I totally have, you obviously haven’t been listening.’
This is technically true. I did tell him that Sarah brought me a coffee. Once.
‘What’s going on?’ I ask. ‘I know you’re not threatened by your best mate and part-time Santa Claus. . .’
He shakes his head and puts down his cup. ‘Of course not, God, you’re the reason we met. I just. . . well, I think I really like her. I just hope she feels the same. Is that weird?’
‘Not weird, but you sound like a total virgin.’
He laughs. ‘Fuck you, you wish you had a girlfriend as hot as Sarah.’
I laugh, a little uneasily, because he has no idea how right he is. ‘So much hotter than you deserve.’
Matt stops laughing and sits silently for a second, looking a little glum.
‘Christ, you’re not pining already. She’s probably not even in the Uber yet!’
‘It’s not that,’ he replies. ‘It’s just. . .’
‘What?’
‘The wallet.’
‘What about it?’
‘It reminds me of the one Karen gave me and now I feel like shit for spending half of last night thinking about her.’
‘Matt, she broke up with you years ago. Get a grip,’ I respond, now thinking that I should be shot for suggesting the wallet.
‘I know, I know. . . it’s so stupid. Sarah is great.’
‘Totally,’ I concur.
‘Perfect, really.’
‘So, don’t fuck it up. It’s just a wallet.’
