Cheers erupted to my left as a gaggle of people started leaning closer together, chattering wildly. Cassandra’s Chorus must have turned up – finally.
‘It’s just – you’re different.’
Different because you don’t stare at me like I’m some sort of sex god. Different because you haven’t quoted my own lyrics back to me, or asked for a selfie, or started to dog my every footstep.
Different than I thought. Different because you’re not here to get a story, but to experience one. And that’s attractive in a way I hadn’t expected.
All things I should have said. But didn’t.
Jessy grinned. ‘What, you’re telling me that most of your fans don’t appreciate your tie-dye disasters?’
‘Artwork, I think you’ll find it’s called,’ I shot back, even as she stepped out of my arms.
Which was probably a good idea. I’d started to feel really comfortable holding her.
‘Oh,artwork? So it’s supposed to look like a cat has –’
‘Hey, art is subjective, remember!’ I joked back at her, warmth spreading through me. It was all too easy to slip into familiar banter.
‘Those T-shirts are monstrosities.’ Jessy giggled, her whole body involved in the movement as she grinned at me. ‘Seriously, how can a guy as hot as you wear such … I mean, you’re an artist. Your lyrics. And then those T-shirts …’
‘All I’m hearing is that you think I’m hot.’ I lived for the flush that travelled down her chest at having been caught out.For once, I didn’t try to head off my appreciative stare, letting the success of this night loosen my inhibitions. The silence grew between us, but instead of the usual awkwardness, this was filled with something else.
Something good.
Fuck. This never happened. I hadn’t expected to actually like this girl.
Her flush was deepening with every second I continued to gaze at her.
‘What time is it?’ She sounded winded.
I slipped my phone out of my pocket. ‘Half-eleven.’
‘Well,’ Jessy said brightly, ‘that should be enough time for Derek.’
She moved away – but only managed three steps before she had to stop. She looked down at where my hand was grabbing on to her wrist.
‘Where are you going?’
Jessy turned, her smile hitting me in the chest all over again. ‘Going? I’m leaving. We’ve fulfilled our contractual duties for the night, right?’
Leaving?
‘The night doesn’t have to end yet,’ I said, before I could stop myself.
‘Why?’ she said lightly. ‘It’s all fake. It’s not real, Patrick, none of this is. Any time we spend together is because of that contract, remember?’ Her soft words rang harshly in my ears.
A chill whispered across my skin, and it had nothing to do with the evening air. ‘Right.’
‘We’re just doing it to be seen, to help Laura – that’s what this is for. For Laura.’ Jessy held her head high, no shame in her statement. ‘Well, we’ve been seen. We’ve done what –’
A phone rang. Mine. Damn.
‘What?’ I asked, irritation sharpening my tone as I picked up.
‘Why hello, Patrick,’ Derek responded cheerfully. ‘Loving the official shots of you and Jessy. The two of you look nice and intimate standing close together like that. Well done.’ The brightness in his tone was pissing me off even more.
I swore under my breath as I looked around. ‘You seriously need to get a life, mate.’
