I smile. “You have a better memory than I ever gave you credit for.”
Leaning forward, he whispers in my ear, “There are those dimples again. They get me every time.”
I laugh and slap his forearm gently. “Where have you been?”
“With my head up my arse. I don’t know, but it wasn’t the right place.” He sighs.
“I’ll find a seat.”
He places a kiss on my nose, and I laugh as he walks toward the counter.
Turning, I take a look around before my eyes land on an empty table. It’s right by the wall and there’s no one else close.
Perfect.
I make my way over to it and drop into the seat. My stomach flutters, and I’m not sure if it’s hunger or nerves. This change in Patrick is still so hard to believe.
Casting my gaze around the room, I lock eyes with Dave again. He gives me a blank look, and I turn my back on him to avoid seeing him again.
“Are you alright?” Patrick’s voice comes from behind me, and I shuffle on my chair to face him as he sits down with a tray of food.
“I’m fine.”
He nods in the direction of Dave. “I punched him in theface when he hurt you.”
“What?” My heart thuds, but questions swirl in my mind and I can’t let go.
“I tried to stop any bullying. If anyone’s said anything bad since then—I’m sorry. I made it clear to everyone I knew that you were out of bounds. I’m sure they haven’t always done as I ask though, and that pisses me off.”
“Really?” I search his eyes for any sign that he’s making this up, but he’s so earnest.
“Really. I also had a chat with Dave about what happened and got to the bottom of it. I’m so sorry for everything.”
I draw in a deep breath. “It’s not always been good, but I appreciate the effort.” After picking up a fry from the tray, I chew on it for a moment and swallow. “So, tell me again why you never asked me out before?”
He chuckles. “I had a girlfriend. One I was with for way too long. And then there was the fact that you always made me nervous, you’re so smart. I never thought you’d be interested in me in that way.”
Are you kidding?
“Why not?”
Patrick shrugs. “I guess I’ve been an idiot.”
“Yeah. You have.”
Our meal is peppered with conversation. For two people who were once so close, we’re like strangers catching up with each other’s lives.
But it’s also like slipping on an old pair of shoes.
He’s comfortable to be around, even if he makes my heart race.
Once we’ve finished eating, Patrick holds my hand all theway to the movie theatre. No one’s looking at us, but I feel seen for the first time in my life.
We cast our gazes over the movie posters inside the door.
“Which movie did you want to see? The new Marvel movie’s out, but there’s also a rom-com that looks pretty good,” he says.
“Do you really want to watch a rom-com?” I tilt my head and smile.
