‘Hi, you must be Eleanor?’ He stood and reached out to hug her.
Eleanor smiled and awkwardly allowed herself to be held, her arms planted rigidly by her sides. Why did this not get any easier?
‘Hi,’ she managed.
He smelt of oranges and soap, and his body was wonderfully warm.
‘Sit, please.’ He proffered the empty seat in front of him. ‘I took the liberty of ordering; Sal gave me strict instructions to go for carrot cake and a flat white. Please tell me shewasn’t tricking me?’ The look of fear that dawned on his face made Eleanor snort with laughter.
‘Well, I have to say I’m glad Sal’s tough love treatment isn’t reserved solely for me.’ Eleanor sat and took a sip of her drink. ‘But don’t worry, you got it spot on.’
‘Phew!’ He smiled, rubbing his hands through his short-cropped hair. It instantly reminded her of Fin and her heart contracted painfully. ‘I have to confess I’m really not very good at these things. I think this is my first date in nearly a year, so I’m sorry if I’m a bit rusty.’
Eleanor’s stomach dropped. Sal promised that this wouldn’t be like the last time.
I may as well get up and go now.
‘Oh, but no, wait.’ He blushed. ‘To be clear, I am completely over my ex and I am very much ready to meet someone.’
Eleanor couldn’t help but burst out laughing. ‘I’m guessing Sal told you about theverysuccessful first date she tried to set me up on, then?’
‘Maybe.’ He rubbed his golden stubble anxiously with his hands. ‘I was meant to be subtle about this. I’ve not done a great job so far, have I?’
‘Trust me, you’re doing better than the last. And bearing in mind this is only my second-ever date in thirty-five years, you don’t have much to be worried about.’ She picked the corner off the cake.
‘Thirty-five years. As if!’ His dark blue eyes were now wide with shock. ‘How is that even possible?’
She shrugged. ‘I met my first serious boyfriend in Freshers’ Week at university and we were together ever since.’ She shuffled uncomfortably in the squashy armchair. ‘Well, until recently.’
‘Wow. Firstly, I’m really glad that Sal wore you downenough to give dating another chance.’ Eleanor felt the heat in her cheeks. ‘And secondly, I can only apologize it’s nothing grander than a coffee shop, but Sal gave me limited options!’
There was something incredibly comforting about Ben. His entire face seemed to radiate kindness and his smile was big and bright.
Eleanor grinned shyly. ‘Yeah, that one might have been my doing, actually. Sorry.’
He laughed. ‘In case I turned out to be a psycho?’
‘Pretty much.’ She sank back in the chair, enjoying the easy back-and-forth they’d settled into.
‘Let me assure you, I’m not a psychopath.’
Eleanor smirked. ‘Surely a psychopath wouldn’t actually admit they were a psychopath.’
‘Wow, not even half an hour in and we’re talking about psychopaths.’ Ben shook his head. ‘Anyway, how do you know Sal?’
‘We work together. I loved her the moment I saw her. It’s hard to find someone with much personality in the corporate world and in she walked, practically dripping in it.’ Eleanor’s heart lifted at the memory of it. ‘How about you?’
‘I used to work with her too, so I know exactly what you mean. She isn’t one to be messed with, is she? It took a while for her to accept me as a friend and not a colleague, but I ground her down and here we are!’ He took a nervous sip of his drink. ‘I like your hair, by the way.’
Eleanor’s hand instinctively flew to her head. ‘Really?’
‘Yeah.’ He chuckled. ‘I’m sensing you don’t?’ His eyebrows knitted in curiosity.
‘Erm, I don’t mind it.’ Eleanor felt the familiar sense of sadness uncoil itself from its hiding place.
‘But?’
‘But my ex never liked it curly.’
