Page 50 of So, I Met This Guy . . .

‘Oh shit, he wasn’t staring; we were staring.’

Maggie turned away quickly, embarrassed.

‘He looked at you,’ said Flick.

‘He was probably looking at you.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous. He’s old enough to be my dad.’

‘And?’

They were interrupted as the flirtatious waiter returned with their drinks and took their pizza orders. ‘I can’t believe he’s reading a book.’

‘Some people do actually read books, you know,’ said Maggie. ‘Not everyone wants to be glued to a phone,’ she added, as Flick’s lit up and started vibrating on the table.

A few seconds passed.

‘Aren’t you going to answer that?’ asked Maggie.

‘It’s Rory. He wants to speak to me.’

‘And you don’t want to?’

‘He’s furious I lied about the work conference. He wants me to get on the first flight home.’

‘Well, that’s to be expected.’

‘I tried to explain. I told him about you and Theo Stratin and the whole romance fraud, but he says I’m being ridiculous. That I’ve made him a laughing stock amongst all our friends. Which frankly is him being ridiculous as I said it’s got nothing to do with him,’ she added with annoyance.

‘That’s probably the problem.’

Flick looked blank.

‘Look, I don’t know Rory, but in my experience men like it to be about them.’

‘But it’s not.’

‘Exactly.’

Flick sighed and rubbed her forehead. ‘So, what am I supposed to do?’

‘You’re asking advice from me?’ Maggie gave a wry smile. ‘I’m hardly the person to be giving out advice about romantic relationships.’

‘I’ve said I’m sorry. I’ve apologized.’

‘Well, then, that’s all you can do.’ Maggie shrugged. ‘Try not to worry. These things have a habit of working themselves out.’

Flick nodded and stabbed her ice cubes. Several texts popped up on her phone. She read them and chewed her lip, looking troubled.

‘What if they don’t?’

‘You’ll be fine.’

‘I love Rory, you know.’

‘I’m sure you do.’

They both sipped their drinks, but Maggie could feel the tension.