I waited for some sarcastic comment about it serving me right for marrying so young or a statistic about how many marriages ended in divorce, but all Clare said was, ‘I’m really sorry. Nobody deserves to have that sort of bollocks happen to them. Your man Gary’s an eejit.’ It sounded like she genuinely meant it. Clare being nice? That was certainly a first.
‘We’re going to throw some shapes in Stardust,’ Curtis announced. ‘Anyone fancy joining us?’
‘Me!’ Clare said. ‘Don’t look at me like that, Sarah. It’ll be grand. You’ve been promising me a trip to Whitsborough Bay’s finest nightclub since you moved home.’
‘I know. And I will take you… if I must… but not on a Friday,’ Sarah said. ‘I’ve got an early wedding tomorrow. I’ve got to be at the shop by seven.’
Clare pouted.
‘I don’t mind going,’ Stevie offered. ‘I can see Clare back to yours.’
‘Are you sure you both want to go?’ she asked. They nodded so Sarah reached into her bag and handed Clare her key.
Two hours later, Curtis had well and truly achieved his goal of getting me paralytic. I knew that if I had even one sip more of alcohol, he’d achieve his other goal of making me throw up. Staggering off the dance floor, I ordered a pint of water then made my way unsteadily towards a quiet corner where I slumped onto an unexpectedly hard sofa. My head felt fuzzy, my feet throbbed, and it surely had to be past my bedtime. I rummaged in my bag for my mobile to check the time and spotted a text from Gary. What now? More propositions to play happy families? With shaking hands, I opened the message and concentrated hard on focusing my eyes:
✉︎ From Gary
Thanks for your understanding yesterday. Not sure what I was thinking. I don’t need a week to decide about the house. Too many memories for me too so let’s both start over. I’ll get some estate agents to value it next weekend and, if you’re happy with the price, I’ll get it on the market the week after. Really sorry it’s come to this
I sipped on my water as I stared at his text. How should I feel? Happy? Angry? Numb?
‘I’m guessing you’ve had plenty if you’ve moved onto water.’
I looked up to see Stevie holding a short glass.
‘Can I join you?’ he asked.
‘Be my guest. But the sofa’s rock hard. Be warned.’
He sat beside me and shuffled his bum. ‘You’re right. It’s like a breeze block.’
‘Told you.’
He took a sip of his drink then put it down on the table. ‘It’s great to see you enjoying yourself. You deserve a good night out after what you’ve been through.’
I stared at Gary’s text again and frowned as I put the phone down on the sofa beside me. ‘Sorry I haven’t seen you since I moved, but thanks for the offers of drinks. I wouldn’t have been great company. Needed to get my head straight.’
‘That’s okay. I understand. Bad news?’
‘What is?’
‘You keep staring at your phone and frowning, so I’m wondering if it’s bad news.’
‘Sorry. Text from Gary. We’re putting the house on the market.’
‘Big step. How do you feel about it?’
I shrugged. ‘Bit strange. I thought Gary would buy me out.’
‘Maybe there are too many memories for him to stay there.’
‘That’s what he said.’
‘It’s a big house for one person too. I can’t imagine Gary rattling round there on his own. Can you?’ He smiled.
‘Probably not.’ I stared at his dimples. ‘Can I touch them?’
‘Touch what?’
‘Your dimples. They’re so cute.’
His smile widened and his dimples indented even further. Very cute. Actually, quite sexy. Why hadn’t I noticed that before?
‘If it turns you on,’ he said.
‘Oh, it does.’ I reached out my right hand and gently stroked the side of his face. His skin felt smooth whereas Gary’s was nearly always stubbly. My lips parted as I ran my fingers from his dimples into his hair. It felt very soft whereas Gary’s was usually hardened with product.
‘Elise…’
‘Shhh! I don’t want to talk.’ I reached out my other hand and touched his thigh. He didn’t tighten it like Gary had last time I touched him. My heart thumped along with the baseline of the music. My breathing quickened as I stared into his eyes. I’d never stared into anyone’s eyes except Gary’s. Stevie had beautiful eyes like melted pools of chocolate with flecks of gold in them. Why hadn’t I noticed them before either?
‘I don’t think this is such a good idea,’ he said.
‘What isn’t?’ I brazenly leaned forward and gave him a gentle peck on the lips. They felt soft, moist, and incredibly kissable. I’d only ever kissed Gary before. My body shook with anticipation.
‘This. You’ve been drinking…’
I kissed him gently again. ‘I know what I’m doing.’
‘I’m sure you do. But…’
‘But what?’ I pulled back. ‘Don’t you want me?’
‘You’re gorgeous. You must know that. But…’
‘But what? Don’t tell me you’re gay too.’
‘No. It’s just that… it’s not right. You’ve only just split up with Gary. I don’t want you to do anything you might regret. I don’t want to lose you as a friend.’
‘Friend?’ I snapped. ‘Friend? Is that what I am to you?’
‘Yes. A good friend.’
‘Good friend. Yes, that’s me. Everyone’s best friend. Can I ask you a question, Stevie? What’s wrong with me? Why does every man I meet want to be my friend? Why does nobody want to rip my clothes off and enact Fifty Shades with me? Do I score zero on a desirability scale?’
‘You’d score top marks. You’re very desirable.’
‘Then how come I just handed myself to you on a plate and you said no?’ I grabbed my bag, stood up and shoved past him. ‘Don’t answer that. Tell Curtis to meet me outside.’
Then I fled.
13
✉︎ From Curtis
This time last week, I was travelling home after an amazing weekend with a gorgeous woman. What would they say at work if they knew? Just had a very tame weekend in comparison. No idea The Bay had so much going on! Please tell me you’ve been in touch with Dimples this week and sorted out your misunderstanding xx
✉︎ To Curtis
I miss you, but my liver doesn’t! I swear it took me till Wednesday to recover. I haven’t been in touch with Stevie. I was hoping he’d make the first move
✉︎ From Curtis
He’s probably thinking the same about you. Remember you were the one who propositioned him & you were the one who ran out on him. Be brave. Don’t lose a friend over this xx
✉︎ To Curtis
Easier said than done. I feel like a prize idiot, but I also feel hurt and humiliated. What’s wrong with me?