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“Really. Let’s do some role play. Imagine you saw me at a bar and wanted to hit on me. Zack will watch and give you pointers.”
“Okay. Good idea.” I stand up.
“Wait!” Zack says, grabbing my hand. “Don’t forget your costume.”
I squint at him. “What?”
He nods at the front of my jacket. “We’re doing a bar date role play. So go on. Get your tits out.”
I stare at him for a second. He grins back. I pluck an ice cube out of my water glass, grab his collar, and drop it down his back.
He yowls, his body arching as he tries to shake it out of his clothes. “Jesus! No need to attack me! I’m just trying to make it realistic!”
“You’re such a knob,” I say, trying not to smile as he finally bats away the ice cube. “Get into position, then.” I shuffle out of the booth.
“Nerd,” Zack mutters under his breath, as Josh turns back to his drink. I take a few steps back, fluff up my hair, and then brace myself, walking back up to the table.
“Hi,” I say, a bit too loudly. Josh looks up. Immediately, his eyes fix on me, flicking down my front. My pulse starts to beat a little harder in my throat.
“Hi,” he says softly. “Can I help you with something?”
His voice sounds different. Warmer and deeper. Is this what he sounds like when he’s flirting? My cheeks immediately heat.
“Are you… um, here alone tonight?” I manage.
He leans back in his seat, considering me. “Currently.”
“That’s pretty embarrassing.”
“I know. I’m mortified. Save me from the shame and let me buy you a drink.”
“Like a date?” I ask, then immediately curse myself. I sound like a middle-schooler talking to her crush.
Josh looks amused. “If you like.” He taps the leather booth next to him. “C’mon. Save me from a night of drinking alone.”
I sit, then hesitate, floundering for something to say. “I, um…”
“Just be honest,” Zack advises quietly. “You’re thinking too hard. Say whatever comes into your head.”
“Well, I have to warn you,” I tell Josh, “It might be a waste of your time. I’ve been on 120 first dates. They’ve never worked out.”
Josh shifts his weight. I suddenly realise how big he is. His body takes up most of the booth. He stretches his arm across the back of the seat and studies me. “You must be tired,” he murmurs. “All those first dates. Don’t worry. Mine can be your last.”
I crack a smile. “Smooth.”
“Stay in character,” he orders.
“Right.” I clear my throat. “I’m Layla.” I stick out my hand.
His eyebrow twitches. “How formal.” He shakes my hand firmly. “Joshua.”
I nod. “Well, Joshua. What makes you think you can do better than the 120 men who came before you?”
Josh shrugs a shoulder, his eyes not leaving mine. “I’m a hard worker.”
“You say that now, but I’m a pretty difficult girlfriend. I’m not sure you could handle me.”
Josh’s eyes spark. “I bet we have more in common than you think.”
