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“No, no, I insist, it’s late. Polly will vouch for me. I’m not a mad axe murderer.”
“He’s not a mad axe murderer,” Polly said. “Here’s Johnny!”
Carts delivered a hurt look and Judith patted his arm solicitously. “Don’t worry, she’s just as mean to me. That’s really sweet of you, thanks.”
As she watched them depart, Polly’s heart sank, rose, then sank again, like a bobbing cork.
After an awkward moment Solo said, “Fancy a game of pool?”
Polly cast him a squinty look from under one eyebrow. “Is this like when parents suggest kids help with the washing up so they don’t have to look at each other during awkward conversations?”
He shrugged. “Were you planning on having an awkward conversation?”
“You tell me.”
Solo banged down his glass on the bar. “Jesus, are you always this infuriating?”
Polly tried to look innocent. “Probably.”
“Okay.” He held his hands up. “Please yourself, I’ll go and finish my pint down the other end of the bar.”
“Fine. You do that.”
Abruptly he got up, but as he made to push past her she found her hand had connected with his forearm. The muscle flexed, his skin warm under her touch. She didn’t even know what she was going to say but as his eyes met hers, there was a cloud of hurt there and something caught in her throat. She muttered, “Forget I said that—sure, let’s play a game of pool.”
For a split second she was certain Solo was going to shake her off, his face hard and tight, then his expression softened and, oh god, that glorious little smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Little creases shunted at the skin around his eyes, adding contours to a face that was already way too enticing.
“Okay, then,” he said. “You’re on.”
Dark matter,thought Polly as she followed the sway of Solo’s lean hips towards the pool table.We are totally dark matter.
Capable of mutual annihilation.
