‘I don’t know …’ Excuses flooded her brain. ‘I have quite a lot to do tomorrow.’
‘I know, and you’re probably going to be tired when you get back and find a million and one reasons not to come,buthow about this: I’ll be at the Farzi Cafe at 7 p.m. There’s no pressure, but if you fancy it, come and join me.’ He held his palms open in front of him. ‘Sound like a plan?’
‘Yes, a ridiculous one.’
‘Why?’
‘Because what if I don’t show up? Are you just going to sit there waiting for me?’
Jacob went to speak but Olivia cut him off. ‘And how long are you going to wait for? What if I do want to come but get lost or delayed, and then by the time I arrive you’ve already eaten, and I’m sitting there starving and you have to wait for me to finish, or worse than that, I have to go somewhere else and eat by myself.’
Jacob’s eyes grew larger with every word she spoke, examining her like a creature from another world. ‘Was all that really just going on in that brain of yours?’
Olivia stiffened. ‘I’m just saying, it seems like a foolish plan to me.’
‘Obviously I won’t be sitting there waiting for ever. If you’re not there, you’re not there and I’ll eat,’ he replied nonchalantly. ‘And if you do turn up late, I’ll order some more food and eat with you again. Trust me, I caneat.’
‘Fine, I’ll think about it.’ She turned her head and attempted to flag down any potential mode of transport. ‘But it would be much easier if we exchanged numbers, so I could text you if I’m coming.’
‘Easier, but far less fun.’ Jacob placed a hand on her shoulder and gave a shrill, ear-piercing wolf whistle. ‘Here.’ Dutifully, and seemingly out of nowhere, a yellow-and-green tuk-tuk appeared.
‘I could have done that,’ she muttered under her breath, clambering in.
‘So, I’ll see you tomorrow, then?’ Jacob crouched so that his face was level with hers.
‘Maybe.’
‘Perfect.’ He grinned, giving the top of the rickshaw a little tap, signalling for it to go. ‘I’ll take that.’
‘It wasn’t a yes, Jacob.’ The tuk-tuk jerked forwards.
‘But it wasn’t a no.’
Olivia
Olivia fidgeted in her seat. The leather was sticking to the backs of her legs, and her skin felt too tight for her body.
This is a stupid idea.
A totally, utterly stupid idea.
The same words had been cycling through her mind for the entire taxi journey. In fact, the arguments against the idea had been growing louder and louder inside her head all day. She didn’t have the time to spare. She was tired. She needed an early night. But despite the litany of reasons not to go, there was also a tiny voice in her head begging her to say yes. She was leaving tomorrow, and chances were, she would never see him again. What harm could one dinner do?
Suddenly the taxi stopped.
‘Here we are, miss.’
Olivia peered out of the window and did a double take. They had pulled up outside a large, white building with an extremely posh exterior. Olivia watched in confusion as a stream of well-dressed people flowed in and out through the large, ornate entrance.
‘Are you sure this is the right place?’
‘Yes.’ He nodded assuredly, pointing at a glowing sign that hung outside the front. ‘Farzi Cafe.’
‘I can see that, it just looks …’
Too nice? Too expensive? Too clean?
This had to be a mistake. Why hadn’t she checked out the restaurant before she left?
