“So, did you train today?” she asked.
I was grateful that she took hold of the conversation. I had migrated into idiot land and forgotten how to do small talk.
“Yeah, in the gym. I did a session with that trainer I told you I was thinking about getting. We did some weights then I went on the treadmill.”
“It’s good that you’ve got someone helping you with that stuff. I did the same thing at first. It’s too easy to injure yourself, but I guess you’ve used them before.” She brushed her hands up and down in the air, indicating the length of my body.
I shrugged. “Not for a goal like this race. What about you? Did you go for a run?”
“Yeah. Saturday mornings are my favorite. But I went early. At six. Then I got waxed and I had coffee with a girlfriend.”
“You got waxed?” As I was finishing my question, I realized what she was saying and quickly broke eye contact. Shit, why did I have to ask her about the waxing? She’d been to the beauty parlor. She’d been preparing . . . for tonight. My palms started to sweat. Was she expecting to show me the waxed areas? I hadn’t even begun to contemplate sleeping with her.
“It was a regular appointment. Not for tonight. I mean, if you’re a girl and you’re running, it’s important to keep . . . Oh Jesus. Please kill me now.” Her head rolled back.
I started to laugh. The mention of waxing had broken the ice. “Let’s do a U-turn, shall we? How was coffee?”
She shook her head. “I shouldn’t be allowed out. Yes. Thank you. Coffee was good. It was a friend I’ve known since I was five. We grew up together; she’s getting married, and she asked me to be bridesmaid. So, yes, it was good to see her.”
“Oh, that’s really nice. When’s the wedding?”
“Next summer. To be honest, I hate the idea. Can’t bear the whole big show and ridiculous dress, but it’s important to her so it’s an honor really.”
I smiled. It seemed we had more in common than just triathlons.
“Do you have brothers and sisters?” I asked. Our conversations up until now had been mainly about work or training, so although in some ways I knew her quite well, in reality my knowledge of her private life was limited.
“Two sisters. Both older. I’m the baby. The ugly duckling.”
“The what?”
“My sisters are supremely glamorous. I mean knockouts. I was always the tomboy.”
“Well you don’t look like a tomboy tonight.”
“God, did that sound as if I was fishing for compliments? I’m sorry, I really wasn’t. I love having gorgeous sisters now, well, most of the time. But, you know, in those awkward teen years it was tough. What am I saying? I bet you didn’t have those years.”
I thought back. I didn’t remember any. “I think that’s more of a girl thing.” I didn’t really remember Haven or Ashleigh being awkward.
“Maybe. Anyway, they’re happy; I’m happy. One lives in LA with her producer husband. The other lives in Barnes. She’s a lawyer too.”
I liked hearing her talk about her family. “Are you close?”
She seemed to think about that for a couple of seconds. “We don’t fight. But no, we’re not super close. I babysit and stuff, but we all have very different lives. What about you? You’re close to Haven.”
I realized she already knew I had a sister. I must talk about her without even realizing it. “Yeah, we’re close. I get on well with her husband too.” I didn’t mention Ashleigh. Was I still close to her? Would we find a way back to each other, even if not as lovers? The thought turned my stomach. I hated not having her in my life.
“You okay?” Fiona asked.
“Yeah, fine. I remembered that I said I would call Haven today and I forgot.” The lie was easier than the truth.
I shook my head and took a breath. I couldn’t be thinking about Ashleigh.
After that, I relaxed and it became more natural to share details of my life with her and her with me. It was comfortable and nice. I liked her. She was sweet and caring.
“Can you just wait here a minute?” I asked the cab driver as Fiona climbed out, and I followed her onto the pavement. “Thanks for a lovely evening,” I said as we walked toward her building.
“Thank you. I had a really good time, Luke.” She smiled a half smile at me as we came to her front door.
“So, I’ll see you at work on Monday?”
She nodded. This was when I was meant to kiss her goodbye. She definitely gave the impression that it wouldn’t be unwelcome, but it had been so long since I’d been in this position. I got that same consciousness in my limbs that I’d had at the beginning of the evening. I liked her, and it was just a kiss. Glancing at the ground, I took a half step toward her, put my fingers under her chin and tilted her head. My gaze flicked between her mouth and her eyes once, then twice and then I bent, pressing my lips to hers. Her body swayed toward me, and I caught the scent of her for the first time that evening. It was unfamiliar. She ran her hands down my arms, but before it could turn into anything more, I pulled away and whispered, “Good night.”
I tried to remember the first time I’d kissed Emma. It had been similar. Nice. There’d been an awareness that we didn’t quite fit yet, but that we might. With Fiona it was the same. She was a nice girl, easy to be around and we had a lot in common—more than Emma and I ever had.
But she wasn’t Ashleigh.
Ashleigh
“This one is super comfortable,” I said to Richard as I rearranged myself on the sofa. Richard had moved into a new apartment and had asked me to help him find some new furniture.
“You don’t like the brown leather?”
My stomach churned. Brown leather sofas always reminded me of Luke, even if he had finally thrown his away.
I shook my head. “Leather is cold in the winter and sticks to you in the summer. I’ve never understood its appeal. And it squeaks.”
“Squeaks? Like talks to you? Have you seen a doctor for that?” Richard’s eyes were wide.
“They do. You know—when you move around on them.” I blushed and looked away. I had totally imagined having sex with Luke every which way on his battered old sofa¸ and every time I had, the squeaks had been off-putting, even in a fantasy.
Richard collapsed next to me. “Yeah, this one is comfortable. And it’s nice and deep. Do you think two people could lay on it together? I think we should spoon. Just to be sure.”
I elbowed him in the ribs. “Stop it.” Richard had been flirting with me all morning, teasing me by saying we were going straight to the bed department to test out mattresses.
“You’re meant to be here to help.” He slipped his hand around my shoulders and stuck his feet on the low table in front of him. “This works. But if you’ve vetoed leather, can I at least get a corner one?”
What was it about boys and corner sofas? “If you have the space.”
“Yeah, you’ve not seen it, have you? You should come round. I can cook. What about tonight?”
My heart sped as I remembered the evening at Luke’s new place. I’d never gotten to taste the duck he said he’d cooked.
“It’s no big deal. We can go straight to mine when we’ve finished here.” He clapped his hands and rubbed them together.
We’d been firmly in the friend zone for weeks now, so I’d expected the flirting to stop. But it hadn’t, and I was beginning to enjoy it. It was attention that felt safe.
“Maybe. Let’s see how we get on.” I appreciated his company, but the last thing I wanted to do was be a prick tease. I pointed across the showroom. “Let’s try that gray one. I like it because it’s a corner but not a corner with the bit that sticks out on one end for your feet.”