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13
‘Ready for date two?’ Holly asked Jen as they met at one of Queen’s Park’s side entrances.
It was hard to believe only a week had passed since D’Angelo’s. It felt like a lifetime ago. Mum and Dad’s deli was prospering from their little plan, in more ways than one. Annie had reposted their picture, as Holly had hoped, and had even gone so far as to do a weekly round-up of pictures from the competing couples. Only one was missing, Rachel and Mike, and Annie would surely instruct them to get snapping this week if they wanted to stay in the running. Sales had rocketed after the little round-up and they’d gained nearly 200 new followers online. Her parents were beaming.
However, they’d still not had to be a couple in public, and the thought of it made Holly nervous. Could they really pull it off?
Even meeting Jen now felt loaded, the air heavy with static between them. Should she kiss her cheek, give her a hug? What was normal? Holly tried to think back to meeting Shona in public but her mind was blank, the memories vanishing like water through a sieve.
They stood awkwardly for a heartbeat or two.
‘Should we go find the guy?’ Jen asked with a shrug, her hands stuffed firmly into her hoodie’s front pocket.
‘I guess.’
God, why did this suddenly feel so stiff?
‘He said he’d be in the car park,’ Jen said, wandering off.
Holly followed. Jen had on loose shorts and it wasn’t long before Holly’s eyes settled on her legs. They were the kind of legs that made you want to get on your knees and explore every inch until you couldn’t take it any more, and—
‘I’m guessing that’s him with the massive van and bikes,’ Jen said with a mischievous grin.
She was skating a fine line, she knew that, but ever since their impromptu night out, Holly had struggled to shake the knowledge that feelings for Jen were bubbling under the surface. Okay, maybe not so much bubbling, any more; more like an angry pot threatening to boil over should she let it. She needed to put a lid on it, though. She was still healing from Shona, and Jen had made it clear enough she didn’t want a relationship. This was about money, nothing else, no matter how often she messaged Holly – which was fast becoming part of their daily routine.
Jen had been the one to suggest becoming Facebook friends, which had been a surprise. Holly didn’t have her down as the sociable type. In hindsight, that was probably when things tipped past the point of no return. Not only had the messages become more frequent, but Holly now had a bank of photos to browse and by God, Jen was cute.
Holly stole a look at Jen as they walked to the van. Jen caught her and sent a wink her way. Holly’s insides melted. Maybe this wasn’t going to be so awkward after all.
‘Hey,’ the bike guy said, standing up from where he was sitting on the rear of his open van. Two bikes leaned against its side, with a dozen more crammed in behind him. ‘Connor.’ He held his hand out and gave both theirs a shake as introductions were made. ‘You’ve both ridden before, yeah? You know what Annie’s like.’
Jen gave him a knowing look. Holly was clueless, but spoke first. ‘I used to have a bike when I lived in London, cycled every day.’
‘And you?’ Connor directed to Jen.
‘Not for a while, but I’m sure I’ll remember.’
He nodded. Connor seemed a man of few words, and those he did part with were carefully chosen. ‘Right, well. I own Cycle Nation, down on Regwood Street. Idea is, we give you a loan of these bikes and you have a cycle round the park. Sound okay?’
Not particularly taxing, but it would do. ‘Sounds good,’ Holly replied, wishing it wasn’t quite so hot today. Or that they’d got a spa visit instead.
‘Cool. Let’s see what bikes fit.’
Helmetson and bike seats adjusted to just the right heights, it was just a case of waiting for Annie and Isaac. She’d messaged Jen to say they were running late but that she hoped the fitting would fill the gap. Still no sign, though.
‘How long you been doing this?’ Holly asked, scrambling to fill the silence.
‘Coming on five years now.’
‘Still enjoy it?’ Jen chipped in while fiddling with the rubber on her handlebar.
‘Aye, yeah, it’s good.’
He wasn’t giving them much to work with. Holly searched her brain for another opener but came up short. She looked to Jen and could see a smile twitching on her lips.
‘I’ve been thinking about getting another bike now I’m back in Glasgow. If I popped in, could you fit me with one?’ A lie, but anything to avoid a triangle of awkward glances.
‘Yeah, that’s no problem.’
