‘Charlie! Of course, Charlie would know where Alex always takes his first dates to.’
‘Err, hello? I may not be looking for lifetime commitment but please try not to make me sound like I’m just one of a long line. Even if I am.’ I thought back to what Alex had said about how his goodbyes to women usually went so smoothly. Yep, I was definitely one of a long line. But right now I was, at least, first in that line.
‘I didn’t mean it like that, sorry.’
I laughed. ‘Don’t worry about it. And Charlie will be leaving for the airport by now. He’s flying out today on a business trip.’
‘Does he know you’re going out with Alex tonight?’
‘I suppose he does now if Alex got my number off him this morning when they went biking.’
‘Right.’
‘What?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Hmm,’ I replied, having a good idea of what she was thinking. I opted not to mention yesterday’s moment of alcohol-induced befuddlement on this point. It had cleared as quickly as it had arrived and all was back to normal in the Libby/Charlie world now. Thank goodness.
‘Charlie and I are really good friends and that’s amazing. I don’t know what I’d do without him these days. Not just because of the advice he gives me with the business stuff, but just his friendship. Charlie just being Charlie. You know?’
‘I do. He’s lovely. Whoever does end up with him will be one lucky girl, that’s for sure.’
‘They will. Absolutely.’
‘OK. If you don’t need me, I have a nap calling my name. Have an amazing time tonight! I wantallthe details.’ She hung on the word ‘all’.
‘Of course.’
‘Now go! Vamp up!’
‘We’ll see.’
‘Don’t make me come round there.’
‘Go and lie down now. Too much excitement’s not good for you.’
‘Oh, so true. Today anyway. See you later, honey. Love you.’
‘Love you too. Feel better soon. Hugs to Marcus.’
‘OK, bye.’
* * *
‘Wow!’
I’d taken Amy’s suggestion and gone for it. Rather than my more normal relaxed look, I’d chosen a watercolour print silk shift dress. One side had a thin strap and the other had a long floaty sleeve. It was shorter than I generally wore – by about two feet – and I loved it. I’d only worn it once, for a post on the blog, because there just hadn’t seemed the right opportunity since. After scanning my wardrobe for about the fifteenth time, I’d gone back to this one. My first date in a very long time seemed as good a time as any to give it an airing. Pairing it with some strappy, nude-coloured sandals and a small metallic clutch, I was ready.
Now that Alex was here in front of me, without the fortification of yesterday’s alcohol, I suddenly felt a lot more nervous.
‘I’m hoping this is OK,’ I said, waving a hand to encompass my outfit. ‘I wasn’t sure where we were going. If I’m overdressed – or underdressed – I can change really quickly.’
‘No! No, not at all,’ Alex replied. ‘It’s perfect. You look perfect.’
I gave a laugh that came out a bit weird. Probably not the elegant, sophisticated response the compliment called for. And clearly not the one Alex was expecting, by the brief flash of surprise I saw flit across his features.
‘I mean, thank you.’
