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‘Oh, did I?’ she said and smacked herself lightly on the forehead. ‘Ooh, I’ve got a better idea anyway. Why don’t we book dinner at his restaurant again? We can wear our new lipsticks and talk to him.’ She bounced up and down on her chair like a child.
I checked the time on my phone, thinking how nice it would be to get going soon. ‘Umm. Yeah … I guess.’
‘Or once he accepts my friend request, we can go over to his house for drinks.’
I fiddled with my nails and avoided her eyes. Deb was getting a little creepy about Patrick. We’d catered one of his parties, not become his new best friends. Thirty seconds later, I looked back up at her. ‘Deb, bear in mind he’s thirty-five. Do you really think he wants to hang around with girls likeusin their twenties?’
‘Hell, yes.’ She laughed. ‘Naomi, sometimes I think you know nothing about men. And I mean, you’re only ten years younger than him. It’s not even that big a gap. I could tell he really liked us. It was so obvious at the party. Why else did he ask us to stay for cake?’
‘You’re missing my point. He’s a big deal and would hang out with extremely glamorous women andanywoman he wanted. And I don’t know – to be polite, I guess. He runs a restaurant and probably knows what it’s like to slave away.’
I looked down at my handbag, pretending to search for my keys. I loved Deb to pieces – she was like a sister to me – but I was realising we had completely different views on things. She was a classic party girl who loved to socialise in large groups, and I was a reclusive cookbook nerd who preferred deep and meaningful one-on-ones.
‘God, you’re such a cynic, Naomi.’ She shook her head at me. ‘Anyway, do you want to look at any more shops?’ She downed the last of her hot chocolate, licking off the light-brown milk-stache it left behind.
‘No, I’m trying to cut back on spending.’ I smiled, grateful for the change of subject. ‘Well, on makeup, that is. I think if I buy any more, I won’t be able to shut my drawers.’
Deb cracked up laughing. ‘I think you’re right about that. You’ve got enough makeup to fill a mini shop.’
She shoved her final churro in her mouth, then dipped her finger in the sauce, then into her mouth, and kept doing that until the ramekin was empty.
‘Ugh, I know. I kind of got out of control after Dad died.’ My heart ached for a moment at the thought.
Deb nodded and reached out for my hand. ‘I get it, babe. You’ve got to numb the pain somehow. Good thing alcohol and churros work so well too.’
I smiled ruefully, suddenly remembering that despite our differences, Deb could be pretty great too. I lifted the pink Mecca bag and grimaced at its weight. ‘It does make me feel sick, though. Like, the amount I have bought in the last seven months is obscene, and I can’t help but think about how much I could have saved. Mum would be so angry if she knew I was buying so much stuff.’
‘Naomi, your dad passed away in March. It’s still so raw. Please don’t be hard on yourself. Who gives a shit if you blow most of your money on makeup? It makes you look and feel good. That’s all that matters.’
‘I love my makeup, but I need to buy less and save more, but, God, it’s hard.’
‘Naomi, lots of people wouldn’t have even gone back to work as soon as you did. I know if my dadda died, I wouldn’t work for years.’ Her eyes were filled with sympathy.
‘That’s true, but work is such a good distraction, and how else will I earn money? And also cooking makes me feel closer to Dad. Often I replay things he’s taught me in my head as I cook. It’s so comforting, and it feels like he’s there with me.’
‘You do what you feel is right, chickie.’ She smiled at me warmly, her dimples showing.
I nodded. ‘Thanks, Deb.’
She reached for her phone and squealed, her eyes lighting up. ‘Oh my God, Naomi. He accepted me. What should I say?’
‘Don’t ask me. You know I hate starting up conversations.’ I let out a laugh.
She rolled her eyes and started tapping away on her phone.
‘Deb! What are you messaging him?’ I couldn’t help but admire her guts.
‘I said it was a pleasure working for him and that he and I should catch up for a drink and …Oh my God, he just read it!He’s typing a reply now.’ She gripped her phone so tight I could see her knuckles turn white.
I checked the time on my phone again. I wanted to get out of there already. ‘Hey, Deb, should we grab some groceries at Coles on our way out?’
She nodded. ‘Uh-huh.’ Her eyes were glued to the screen.
I took a breath, knowing she wouldn’t budge until he replied. When his answer finally appeared on her screen, I could tell by the way her shoulders slumped what it said.
‘He said “no worries, it was a great night” and to “take care”.What?He just ignored the question about drinks. What a prick!’
‘So, now you hate him?’ I frowned in sympathy, preparing for what was coming next.
