‘Betsy.’ Mary interrupted the pleasantries. ‘I’m going to really quickly go talk to the gallery owner before the exhibition closes.’
‘Oh, OK,’ Betsy finally peeled her eyes away from Thomas. ‘I’ll come with you. I need to talk to him about something as well.’
Are you going to ask Thomas for his number, or what?the voice inside Mary’s head asked.
She completely ignored it. ‘Well,’ she said, facing him, ‘it was nice to meet you, Thomas.’ She gave him a polite head nod.
Betsy frowned ever so slightly.
‘The pleasure was mine,’ Thomas said back. This time, it was his eyes that lingered on Mary’s face for longer than expected, as if he wanted to say something else, but decided against it.
‘Bye,’ Betsy said. Her wave was just as timid as her smile.
Mary and Betsy exited the room and started down the corridor.
‘Wow!’ Betsy said, her eyes widening at Mary, as they turned left then right. ‘Did you just meet him tonight?’
Mary nodded. ‘Just after I got here.’
‘I’ve seen him before,’ Betsy said. ‘At different galleries and exhibitions around town. He must be a collector or something.’
‘Maybe. I didn’t ask.’
‘But you got his number, right?’
I told you.
‘No, I didn’t.’
Betsy stopped walking.
Mary followed suit.
‘Why not?’ Betsy asked. ‘He’s hot… and clearly into you. Did you notice the way that he was looking at you when you said goodbye.’
‘A little.’ Once again, Mary did her best to sound breezy.
They started walking again.
‘So why didn’t you ask for his number?’ Betsy pushed. ‘Or at least exchanged Instagram, Facebook… something.’
They exited the labyrinth and walked past the bar, which was already shut.
‘I don’t know about me asking him for his phone number,’ Mary said. ‘Sounds too desperate, don’t you think?’
Betsy chuckled. ‘Where are we? Mid-1980s? That kind of taboo is long gone.’
Mary paused, her lips pursing to one side, as she thought about it for an extra moment. ‘You don’t think it sounds desperate?’
‘Not at all.’ Betsy’s shake of the head seemed decisive. ‘And do you know what else I think? That he was probably about to ask you foryournumber, but you didn’t give him a chance. You shot out of that room like a bullet.’
Mary took another second. ‘So, you think I should go back?’
Yes.
‘Yes.’
For one thing,the voice in her head added.We could really do with some real sex. Give that poor rabbit a rest, you know what I’m saying?’
