Page 60 of Never Too Late to Date

‘Suzie, can we just check you for level up on stage, please?’

‘Sure.’

She climbed the stairs and stood in her usual spot before pulling her glasses out of the bag. She wouldn’t wear them for the performance, but she could double-check the words now.

‘The opening song, please.’

‘Coming up.’

Belting out her big hit was a release of sorts. There was some stopping and starting for technical issues, but once she got into her stride, it flowed out of her.

Almost at the end of the song, a movement in the wings made her glance to her left. What she saw nearly made her drop the mic. She stuttered to a halt.

‘Everything OK, Suzie?’ Luke’s voice filled the stage.

‘Yeah, sorry. Let’s take it again from the last section.’

Emptying her mind, Suzie forced herself to finish the song, eyes forward. She couldn’t look left of stage again where Christian was watching and waiting. She hurriedly shoved her glasses back into her bag. All her plans had come to nothing. There was no escaping him now.

His casual nod as she walked towards him gave the impression he was someone who’d last seen her a couple of days ago.

‘Suze.’

‘Christan.’

He opened his arms wide.

‘Come here. It’s so good to see you.’

‘You too.’

She fell into his embrace and buried her head against his chest to cover her confusion. He’d always been way taller than her, and the hug felt so familiar it hurt. But it was his smell that almost undid her, a combination of woody aftershave, mint and a faint undertone of cigarettes. It was a smell she hadn’t experienced for so long, a smell she didn’t even know she’d missed. His heart was beating even faster than hers under his navy cotton T-shirt. It was strangely reassuring to know he wasn’t quite as calm and collected about their unexpected reunion as he made out.

He looked down at her at the same moment as she looked up at him. He might have put on some weight round the middle – there was definitely more to hug – although he was still in his battered Levis, and he’d cut his hair very short, replacing the fulsome blond locks the fans went crazy for. But close up, his eyes were still the same shade of blue, the blue of a troubled sea. When he smiled, she could see the laughter lines carved by age on both sides of his face, fanning out from the eyes that had caused her to lose her senses time and time again. His full mouth, so soft to the touch, was moving. She should really listen to the words instead of remembering what a good kisser he was.

‘Now we’ve both finished with our soundchecks, let’s get out of here. Are you up for a drink? I’m not sure I want to catch up in full view of everyone.’

Christian moved his head a fraction to one side, and Suzie caught a glimpse of Frank behind the sound team. She convinced herself she’d been about to say no, but she had no desire to be spied on.

‘Yeah, just for a few minutes. And by a drink, I mean coffee. No drinking before singing these days.’

‘You ought to get that put on a key ring.’

‘Amusing.’

It had only been a minute, but already they were back sparring.

They left the venue together, under the beady eye of Frank, who watched them all the way out of the door.

Christian waited until they were on the street to link arms.

‘That guy still gives me the creeps. Even after all these years.’

Suzie attempted to keep up with his long strides. He’d never been very good at altering his pace for her.

‘Me too. He seems obsessed with knowing how we’ll react on seeing each other.’

Christian turned and gave her a look that made her feel as though she was standing on the pavement stark naked.