We’re quiet for a moment before he pipes up again, looking irked. ‘Do you mean that I seem like the kind of person who would just hop on, get myself off and then fuck off?’
I expel a ragged breath. Fucking hell, now I’m thinking about his body on top of someone else’s. And I thought Hennie was stubborn.
‘I just… you – you’re an attractive guy,’ I say, gesturing up and down his body. ‘Most guys who look like you are normally… you know, “getting it” from somewhere.’ I grimace at my own words. ‘That’s all I meant.’
He looks slightly revolted and leans back again, raking a hand through his hair.
I feel hideous. First I accuse him of being such a mediocre lover that his partners may very well have faked orgasms with him, and now this?
‘But you’re also so… like,relaxed. And you come across pretty self-assured. You’ve got the whole “I play sports and I feel very good about it” vibe going. I’m sorry – these are all just words and none of them mean anything.’
‘Yeah, I mean… sure.’ He doesn’t look too satisfied with my answer though. I quickly move to change the subject before this tent runs out of air.
‘Anyway–’
‘You think I’m attractive?’ he blurts. I look to him to see a tiny, curious smile illuminating his face.
I go completely still, a blush furiously crawling up my cheeks.
‘I – no – I mean, I never said that,’ I object, shaking my head feverishly. ‘You’re… you know, I mean – you’re like, objectively attractive. I never saidIfound you attractive.’
He nods, the smile gone, his eyes left dancing across my face. ‘Right.’
Guilt completely replaces and overrides any previous sensations from my body. I squirm as it settles like ice in my stomach.
‘Why don’t we just… park this conversation there?’
‘Probably a good idea,’ he says, putting his empty glass firmly down between us.
22
Elliot walks back from the bar with two more pink drinks in his grasp, graciously handing me one before pulling his phone out of his pocket. I’ve been scanning the tent for anything that sticks out before we search properly for clues. I’m about to suggest that we start by the door and work our way around when I’m interrupted by a familiar voice.
‘Nora Hartley? No way. What areyoudoing at Crest Fest?’ Short blonde curls fly into view and I stare up into a pair of eyes I haven’t seen for years.
‘Oh, God – hi, Lee.’ My voice stutters as he reaches around me to throw an arm across my shoulders in greeting. My body stiffens as I attempt a smile, which comes out looking like more of a wince.
‘Hi mate, I’m Lee,’ he says with a quick wave, flashing a grin in Elliot’s direction. Elliot responds with a dull glare as he silently takes a sip of his pink drink.
‘This is Elliot,’ I prompt with a brief nod in his direction. He barely acknowledges this. He hasn’t been in the best mood since The Conversation.
‘Wow, look at you! How have you been? It’s been a while,’ Lee says brightly.
‘Yeah… I’m uh – I’m okay.’ My voice starts to shake slightly. ‘How are you?’
‘Good, yeah, good. Living in London now with the whole gang together – you know, Reece, Eric and Miles. All that lot.’
A sudden heat erupts in my chest and moves to my throat at the mention of those names. I nod and nervously run a hand across my fringe. To make matters worse, I can feel Elliot’s watchful gaze burning me.
‘Cool,’ I murmur in response, resisting the urge to walk away from him.
Lee falters and nods awkwardly. He quickly tips his beer with a smile and takes a step away from us.
‘It’s nice to see you, Nora. I hope you’re doing okay.’
He walks away with one last nod to us both. Unparalleled anger fizzles inside me at his parting words as I glare at his back. Patronising little fuck.
I slam my drink down on the table with unnecessary force, all too aware that Elliot is still studying me quietly.
