“Haven’twe always been more than just friends?”
I wished I could read his mind, see inside that beautiful head of his and find out what he was thinking.
“I don’t know. You were different. Still are.”
He swallowed and I realised he was nervous.
“Can I take you out for a meal.”
“Sure.”
He shook his head. “No, where we get dressed up and I buy you flowers before.”
“A date?”
There was a nod. “A date.”
“You’ve been on dates before, Callum.”
“Not like this. Not where it was more than a night.”
Not when there were feelings at stake.
“When?”
“Saturday. I’m heading up to Chester tomorrow as they need someone to operate on a lion.”
Which was his thing. Big cats.
“When are you back?”
“Late Friday or Saturday morning. I’ll book somewhere.” There was a plea to his tone.
“I’ll look forward to it.” And I would. More than I thought was possible.
* * *
By SaturdayI had the itinerary for the next part of filming and also the news that we were starting it the following week, Jaime having to get to her next project sooner than she thought. I’d spoken to Callum, who was non-plussed and reassuring that the zoo wouldn’t mind. Me working there also had brought a little bit more publicity to what there was already, the videos of me and Callum that he’d posted creating a different sort of interest.
Going on a date with Callum felt strange. We’d spent so much time together at college that to do something so formal was odd and nerve-wracking in a way I didn’t expect. I’d headed off to get something done with my hair at a salon and even booked in to have my make-up done, not having a circle of girlfriends to help me out with it.
I had friends, but not the type who sat on your bed and commented on what you were wearing or offered to help with your hair. My friends were usually elbow deep in manure and hay, horse hearted, the only thing needing grooming being a horse’s mane for a show.
And they didn’t live in London. Instead I’d collected them from the various places where I’d worked; Balloch, Bangor, Edale, Norwich, Bude. I treated myself to a new dress, red and off the shoulder, fitted, and a pair of heels that I could just about walk in.
I had no idea when Callum was back or where he’d been. He’d told me he’d be there at seven and he was, knocking on his own door, holding yellow roses.
His eyes ate me as soon as he saw me, handing me the flowers with a slow smile, not the broad one I was used to seeing him use with other women.
“You look amazing. You always look amazing. But…”
“Thank you.” He was wearing trousers and a simple shirt, fitted so it pulled around his back and arms, his biceps bulging, biceps that I remembered gripping while he fucked me into oblivion.
“I’ve missed you this week.” He followed me into his kitchen while I put the flowers in a vase, leaving my heels from hell at the door. “It felt weird not being near you.”
“We spoke every night.”
We had. Just on the phone, mainly about our day and the animals that had passed through.
