‘Actually, I think you’re coming on so strong right now that maybe I should call security.You’re borderlineobsessedwith me!’ I laughed.
‘The only one obsessed with you isyou. Your ego’s so big that I’m surprised there’s room for anyone else in this restaurant!’
‘Just trying to lighten the mood, sweetheart.You’re sitting there, glaring at me like I’d just asked you to lick my butt hole on the first date.’
‘Gross.’
‘Hey!Kink shaming isn’t okay.’
‘Neither is talking about licking arseholes at the dinner table.’
‘Says the woman who spoke about licking a pig’s butt earlier.’
‘I didn’t say I wanted to do that!I said I’d rather lick it than take a selfie with you, that’s different.’
‘Uh-huh.If you say so, sweetheart.’
Halle rolled her eyes disapprovingly, then fixated her gaze on her southern fried chicken and fries.
‘So, do you live in LA?’ I asked, still determined to keep the conversation going.
‘No.New York.’
‘Cool.How long you lived there?’
‘Six years.’
Jesus.This was like getting blood out of a stone.
‘Anytime you want to elaborate on your answers would be good.And if youreallywant to go crazy, maybe you could ask me some questions too so that we could have a real conversation.’
She sighed, then paused for a few beats.
‘My dad’s originally from New York and after he separated from Mum, he moved back when I was in my mid-twenties.My best friend, Vanessa, had also landed a big job at a law firm in the city by then too, so I used to visit as often as I could.And during one of my trips, I met someone and I ended up staying.’
‘Met someone? Like a boyfriend?’
‘Yes.’
‘Care to elaborate?’
‘No.Listen, I appreciate you making an effort to make conversation, but I’m tired.It’s been a long day.’ She swallowed the last piece of chicken, then pushed her knife and fork together in the centre of her plate.
‘Got it.We done here?’
‘Yep.Enjoy the rest of your evening.’ She stood up, pushed her chair back then left.
Well, that went well.
I’d only spent a couple of hours with her and it was more painful than surgery without anaesthetic.
If I couldn’t even get through dinner with her, how the hell was I gonna survive two weeks?
And more importantly, how would I convince her to go along with Wilma’s plan?
7
HALLE
