The professor came with force; Maya came with preoccupation.
‘That was amazing,’ Scott exhaled deeply. He propped himself up on one arm. ‘You really are very beautiful.’
‘You’re not so bad yourself, Professor.’
‘But I have to go, I’m afraid.’
‘That’s fine. Don’t leave it so long next time.’
Scott went to the bathroom and showered. She loved him? Yes, it had been said in a whisper but there was no doubting what he had heard. How very flattering, and how very complicated.
Maybe there shouldn’t be a next time – not for a while anyway.
Maybe it was time for a new distraction.
THIRTY-ONE
Naomi was sneaking a peek out of her bedroom window when the taxi pulled up outside.
‘Bye, sis,’ Gracie called up the stairs.
‘Have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,’ Noms shouted back.
‘Ha. Don’t give me that much scope. Bye.’
Gracie was laughing as she shut the door. A grinning Ed held the taxi door open for her.
‘You look amazing, Gracie.’
She felt amazing. She’d dried her hair straight and with her slight weight loss felt slim enough to wear a little black dress that accentuated her curves. Finished off with heels, coral lipstick and freshly painted nails she felt confident. And she felt sexy.
The handsome landscaper handed her a bunch of pink roses wrapped in pink tissue paper.
‘Ed, that’s so sweet, thank you.’
‘Thought we’d go to the Thai, down by the river in Putney.’
‘Lovely. I went there for a work meal once. The food is amazing.’
Over their meal, conversation flowed, laughter bubbled, wine was drunk. Time passed quickly.
‘Anything else to drink?’ Ed smiled with his eyes as he asked.
She hiccupped. ‘I’m a little drunk already.’
‘Not too drunk to forget you’ve been on a date with a handsome younger man, I hope?’ He leant down and retrieved his napkin from the floor.
‘God, no, I’m not at the stage of not remembering stuff, don’t worry.’ Gracie grinned broadly.
‘That’s a relief. I want this to be a special night. A special night for a special lady.’
‘It’s been great, I haven’t eaten such good food in ages and the company’s not that bad either.’ Gracie meant it. It had felt natural being in Ed’s company and there was no denying she really did fancy him. ‘Coffee would be good,’ Gracie added.
Ed reached for his wallet. ‘How about we go back to mine for a coffee?’
‘For coffee or for coffee?’ Gracie winked.
‘Depends how lucky you’re feeling.’ Ed laughed as she play-hit his hand across the table.
