‘Go out with me,’ I blurted.
Her eyebrows shot up. ‘Excuse me?’
‘On a date, I mean. Well not a date. We don’t have to label it. We can just call it two friends going out for a meal.’
‘A meal.’
I nodded. ‘Yeah, you know that thing people do? Eating?’
‘Are you asking me or telling me?’
‘Asking of course.’
‘Because it sounded more like an order.’
I replayed the last thirty seconds in my mind. ‘Oh. It did kind of, didn’t it?’
‘Yeah. It did.’
‘It wasn’t supposed to. I guess I’m more nervous than I thought.’
‘What are you nervous about?’
‘It’s been a while since I’ve done this,’ I admitted. ‘I’m a little rusty.’
‘This?’
‘Yeah, asked someone out.’
‘For a meal, not a date.’
‘Yeah. Well?’
She shrugged. ‘I suppose I have to eat. And you’d probably be slightly better company than Ray.’
‘Wow. Don’t sound too enthusiastic.’
‘I’m still mad at you.’
‘Come on, seriously? I might have thrown you under the bus with Celia, and for that I am sorry, but I really do think your tattoo stall will be a hit at the festival.’
‘Of course it’ll be a hit,’ she said, rolling her eyes. ‘That’s not the point.’
‘What is?’
‘You said it yourself, you threw me under the bus with Celia.’
‘And you emerged unscathed and triumphant,’ I pointed out.
‘Mm.’ She leaned against the doorframe and regarded me through narrowed eyes.
‘The whole town was on your side, not hers. That had to have stung her.’
‘Oh, undoubtedly. She’ll be furious, with meandwith you for suggesting it.’
I shrugged. ‘I’m not scared of her. People like that are enjoying life for the wrong reasons, in my experience.’
‘Meaning?’
