“Nice to meet you.” Lucca reaches over and holds his hand out to me.
“Likewise.”
His large hand encases mine in his and I feel a sudden wave of anxiety flow through me from head to toe, but I try to take in a deep breath without being too obvious. I hate touching people full stop, but strangers always make me extra cautious.
I really need to get this blushing under control. It makes me look so immature and I hate it. I’m a grown adult, for goodness’ sake.
Do I continue talking to them, say goodbye and go, or sit here and read my book?
I don’t want to interrupt their dinner, so I immerse myself back into my book, all the while drinking my gin. I’m not sure I can concentrate on my book now, because all I can think about is the man sitting at the table beside me. I can hear his Scottish accent and it does something to me. Maybe it’s because I haven’t heard my own native accent since I left Glasgow this morning. Maybe it’s just that man. Maybe it’s a thousand other reasons that I can’t even comprehend while sitting here.
“Excuse me.” I look over at Giovani and his brother. “If I’m being a little forward, just tell me, but I know you’re traveling alone. I was wondering if you’d care to join us for a few drinks. My brother here is an expert on the best bars in Bulgaria. I believe he’s worked hard on getting that reputation.” Giovani shrugs at Lucca, rolling his eyes.
“We can’t all be old coffin dodgers now, can we?” Lucca ribs him back.
I feel a smile creep over my face. The brothers are doing something many people have tried and failed to do over the last twelve months: make me laugh.
“I couldn’t possibly impose on your plans, and I’m afraid I’d be no company. I plan on going back to my room and catching up on some sleep after a long day.”
Just saying that out loud makes me sound so dull. I’m trying to improve my life, not go backwards. This holiday is supposed to be the making of me.
“Sleep’s for old people,” Lucca says, taking a big gulp of his beer.
“Ignore him.” Giovani throws a napkin at his brother and I laugh. The simple sound is alien to my own ears. “And you wouldn’t be imposing. I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want you to join us.”
I sit in silence for a few moments. It was like I was hoping someone would make the decision for me. I’ve grown so accustomed to not being able to make my own choices, that when I can make a choice for myself, it feels weird and uncomfortable. And just like that, I find myself transported right back to the past. A place I don’t want to go again.
I won’t go there, not right now.
“Besides, you’ll be doing me a huge favour sharing the babysitting duties.” Giovani points over to his brother, who is making faces.
Lucca splutters on his beer at his own childish behaviour and I laugh at him.
“I’m not exactly dressed to go out,” I look down at my summer casual attire and cringe.
“You’re in Bulgaria. There is no right or wrong way to dress. But, to put your mind at rest, you look beautiful just the way you are.”
“Okay,” I say, much to my shock and horror. “If you’re sure you don’t mind me tagging along.”
If I’m being honest, I probably wouldn’t frequent bars on my own, so this gives me a taste of what Bulgarian nightlife has to offer.
“Of course we don’t mind.”
I nod at Giovani and lift my bag to put my book away and pay for my meal.
I flag down the waiter and ask for my bill. He must understand me, because he nods and walks away from my table. It’s a different waiter to when I arrived earlier and I’m sad about that because I’d like to give him a nice tip for being so helpful.
The few moments it takes for him to come back make me nervous. I try to find any excuse to get out of this bar crawl with the guys. They seem genuine enough, and one of them runs the hotel I’m staying in. I’m sure he’s just being friendly. He’s probably just afraid that I’ll get lost on my own.
The waiter places down the tray with my bill.
“Thank you.” I take out forty lev and place it in the little folder. I wave him off when he tries to give me change.
“Have a good evening.” He nods at me with a warm smile.
I stand from my chair when Giovani and his brother stand. I don’t quite know what to do now. I have never felt as awkward in my life. Do I follow them? Do I walk alongside them? Do I talk to them about pointless things? Eurgh! I’m one of the most socially awkward people to walk this planet. I should be ashamed of myself for feeling like this. I should be bright and bubbly like my family. Only, I’m apprehensive of everything, thinking everything is about to eat me. I’m fed up being skittish and nervous around people.
“So, what brings you to Bulgaria, Harleigh?” asks Lucca.
