‘I went back to his, but I didn’t stay over.’
Scott sat back in his plush leather chair, visibly relieved.
‘Did you want to?’
‘Being honest, I did. And I felt so damn happy that I wanted sex, too.’
‘But you didn’t stay?’
‘I was going to, but then Ed was a bit strange and now I’m confused and not feeling very good about myself.’
‘Strange in what way?’
Gracie shuffled in her seat. ‘I feel weird telling you this.’
‘Gracie, it’s fine.’ Scott’s tone was soft and low.
‘Well, we were kissing and stuff, but then he jumped up and I could see… well, I could see that he was excited.’
‘Go on.’
‘And then, he was gone for ages. When he came back he just apologised for things not going as planned and said that it was really embarrassing.’
‘And how did that make you feel?’
‘Like shit, to be honest. I felt confused as to why he didn’t want me. Maybe he had felt my muffin top, which I knowisgetting smaller.’
Scott wished he could tell her that Ed might have been terrified of getting involved after being accused of rape, but it was not his place to. He hoped the lad would explain and then she could make her own decision.
‘Gracie, don’t be silly. He obviously likes you. And can I just tell you that if men know they are going to be getting sex, the last thing they will be thinking of is a muffin top.’ He grimaced. ‘Sorry for crossing the line there, but it’s true.’
‘Oh. Well, that’s good to hear from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.’
Scott nodded. ‘We are fickle creatures, us men. Just think of the three Fs. Feed us, fuck us and let us watch football and we are happy.’
Gracie laughed. ‘And you thought you’d crossed the line before.’
Scott coughed to centre himself. ‘Maybe Ed got a bit scared that things were going too fast. If he really likes you, it could be that.’
‘Really? I can’t see that myself.’
‘You’re a lovely and attractive woman, he’d be silly not to. You’ve got to start believing in yourself.’
‘Then, to make things even more confusing, I bumped into Lewis at the petrol station on the way home. I can’t hate him. In fact, it was nice to see his familiar face. I was mortified that he commented on my hair. He never comments on my hair.’ Gracie gave a sad smile.
‘That was nice, then.’
‘No, it wasn’t, Scott, he was commenting on how “special” it looked – I’d been rolling around on the sofa with another man.’
‘He couldn’t have known that, and anyway it’ll do him good to think you’re out having a life and not stuck in moping.’
Gracie stuck out her bottom lip. ‘I got home and he sent me a text saying that he loved me.’
‘And how did that make you feel?’
‘Sad. It made me feel sad. Ed sent one checking that I’d got home safely, which was sweet.’ She blew out a huge breath. ‘Maybe it is a bit early to be starting something fresh, even just for sex?’
Scott’s face showed palpable relief. ‘Only you can make that decision, Gracie, no one else.’
