“Intuition.” He grins. “You look like a Monster Munch kind of girl.”
“But pickled onion? It’s an acquired taste, surely.”
“I think I can read you pretty well.” He laughs.
“Hmm, I bet you say that to all the girls.”
“No, just you.”
“Okaaay,” I say, glancing around me, placing my loose hair behind my ear. I feel the heat to my face and question internally why the look he’s giving me is so intense. “Do I have something on my face?” I touch my lips with worry.
He laughs again. “No, why do you ask?”
“You’re looking at me funny.”
“Ahh, no, nothing like that. It’s just—” He stops mid-sentence, looking to his hands before back to me. “No, I shouldn’t say.”
I’m disappointed by his game playing, which I didn’t think was Eddie’s style. “If what you want to say is inappropriate for a girl who has made it clear from the start, she is your friend, then you’re right. You shouldn’t.”
He must realise I can see right through him at this point. “Perhaps I won’t embarrass you, but I will say, your boyfriend is a lucky man.”
Or maybe he hasn’t. I handle the situation the only way I know how. “I’ll take that as a compliment from a friend.”
“So you should. Not only are you beautiful, but you’re also loyal.”
Perhaps I’m overdoing the friend thing, but how obvious do I have to be for him to get the message. It’s not as if Eddie doesn’t get any female attention. Angie’s met him a few times and thinks he’s hot. She didn’t hold back telling me how mad I was for not dating him, obviously pre-Ash. Maybe it’s because I can see past his broad, rugby-built shoulders and those come to bed brown eyes. They don’t lure me in the way I’ve seen some girls on campus practically fall at his feet. He is a catch, no doubt, but he’s also a player.
I gloss past the ‘beautiful’ comment, despite my heated face. “Isn’t loyalty an important part of a relationship? Otherwise, what’s the point.”
“True, but if I was your man, I wouldn’t let you out of my sight, never mind letting you go off to university without me.”
“It’s a good job you’re not my man then. Trust is a major ingredient.” My own words stop me in my tracks. Did I just talk about trust? I didn’t trust Ash, yet wasn’t I supposed to believe him more than anyone else?
I pop a whole monster claw in my mouth, which instantly melts against my tongue. The zing of onion hits my taste buds, making me shiver. “Jesus, I’d forgotten how good these are,” I say to myself.
He laughs. “You’re such a cheap night out, Calla.”
“Hey,” I flick a few crisp crumbs his way.
“Instead of getting into a food fight, why don’t we get out of here, and I’ll show you what a proper night out with me is like.”
My mood drops. Shit. “I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
That’s a good question. “I’ve told you I’ve got a boyfriend.” It’s amazing how easily that lie left my lips.
“But he isn’t here, so where’s the harm.” He shuffles his chair closer and puts his arm around me. “It’s just two friends, going out for a laugh. No harm, no foul.”
For the first time, I see exactly where the harm is. Eddie squeezes my shoulder while his other hand glides under my chin to tip it up slightly and guide my eyes his way. He’s getting far too close. “So, what’s it to be?” he croons.
If Ash could see me now, what would he think? I was on a date? That Eddie is about to kiss me? We don’t look like two friends right at this moment. We look like a couple snuggling up together. Even though we’re not, would Ash understand that? And if I had to explain how this is nothing more than a friendly night out, what would I do if Ash didn’t believe me? “Shit,” I say out loud.
Eddie’s brow furrows. “What’s up?”
“Nothing,” I say, although it is something. I’ve just realised I’ve made the biggest mistake of my life.
My phone springs to life in my pocket, saving me from a very awkward situation. “Sorry.” I pull away, taking the phone from my pocket. Ash’s name illuminates my screen, causing me to take a sharp breath. I don’t know what to do, so in a panic, I hit decline almost immediately. I would hate for Ash to hear Eddie in the background and get the wrong end of the stick. I’ll wait until I’m alone and can talk to him properly.
