‘Would you like an aperitif?’ Raff asked once they’d left their coats at the cloakroom. ‘We have fifteen minutes for a drink in the bar. We made good time despite the weather. A glass of champagne as it’s Valentine’s Day? Not that I’m suggesting this is a date or anything. I’m aware it’s just two new friends getting to know one another. A cocktail?’
‘Is it?’ Kate hadn’t meant to say that aloud and she quickly looked away and headed towards the bar.
Raff was by her side in a second and he placed his hand gently on her forearm, the gesture making Kate stop in her tracks as their eyes met.
‘Isn’t it?’ His brows half knit together and the look in his eyes was one of hope. Of expectation. Of something else too.
‘Don’t ask me. We’ve been dancing around whatever this is all day. I’m not sure what to think.’
‘Nor am I.’
‘A drink then,’ she said.
‘A much-needed drink,’ he replied, letting his hand slip from her arm as they walked side by side into the bar.
They both had champagne and then a second glass each.
‘Before we go any further,’ Kate said. ‘I’m paying for tonight.’
Raff nearly choked on his drink. ‘No you’re not.’
‘Yes I am. You paid for coffee. And I asked you to dinner, remember?’
‘No. I asked first. By text. You simply replied later with your phone call.’
‘No. My phone call had nothing to do with your text. I called you because, quite frankly, I was utterly fed up. I’d just had video calls with my daughter and my mum and they were having so much fun that when I realised my evening would be spent with my gran, playing cards, followed by an early night, something inside me wanted to scream. In point of fact, you’re my escape. So I’m paying.’
‘No. My night wasn’t looking any better. Dinner alone then back to my hotel room to watch TV. You’re my escape. We’re not going to agree on this, but it would make me happy if you’d let me pay.’
‘What about my happiness? I want to pay too. What about if we go Dutch?’
‘Go Dutch? Hmm. I suppose that’s an option. But I’ve never done that on a date before.’
‘This isn’t a date, remember? Plus. I owe you for the ball thing this morning as well as the coffees. And you came and got me, so that’s another thing I owe you for.’
‘You don’t owe me anything.’
‘I’ve made a decision,’ Kate said emphatically. ‘We’re going Dutch and that’s the final word on the subject.’
‘Or …’ he proffered. ‘I pay for this, because it was my suggestion to dine here. And we go out for dinner again soon, and you pay for that. You can’t argue with that reasoning.’
Kate grinned at him. ‘You clearly don’t know me. I could.’
He grinned back. ‘But you won’t, will you?’
‘Your table is ready,’ the barman told them, looking at Raff.
‘And…’ Raff added, grinning wider. ‘The table is in my name, so that’s another tick in my column.’
‘Fine,’ said Kate. ‘But I’m definitely paying next time.’
‘I’m already looking forward to it.’
Thirteen
When Kate saw the prices on the menu, she was glad she wasn’t paying.
However, by the time she had finished her first course of pan-seared Rye Bay scallops with lemon butter, she forgave the cost.
