Catching this, Jen turns her attention back. ‘Avoid them like the plague, y’ hear? Sure they know how to woo a girl out of her knickers, and they smell great, but they’re trouble, girl. Fun but trouble,’ she says, sniggering still.
‘I’ll ... bear that in... mind?’
‘You hungry?’ Matt interrupts.
I am. I’d also jump at any chance to escape this conversation. I turn to ask Niamh if she’s ready for food, quickly turning back again. She’s not ready to eat. Well, not actual food.Left leg off the Lamb of God? More like a leg of Rob. The poor guy probably doesn’t realise he’s her dish of the day. But I have the major munchies and could do with something to soak up the booze.
‘Sushi?’
Rising, I nod enthusiastically. ‘Sounds yum.’
Brunch is served at various points through the restaurant: Arabic, Italian, huge roasts and jeweled salads; the choice is astounding. But the dessert station is out of this world: delicate pastries, truffles and chocolate dipped fruits, exquisitepetit fours, flambéing crepes, tiny puddings and gold-dusted chocolates; I’m in heaven!Wonder how acceptable it’d be to just eat dessert?As we reach the sushi station, I change my mind on sight; it’s an artistic production on a grand scale. Sushi and sashimi are displayed on frosted glass platters, brimming with colour and looking like edible works of art.I’ll never feel the same again about my favourite sushi joint back home, those coloured plastic plates, revolving train-style.
I’m sure I must still be drooling as Matt interrupts my plate filling and gastronomic reverie.
‘Hot stuff.’ With a comic wiggle of his brows, he drips green condiment onto his plate. ‘And I don’t just mean the wasabi.’
It’s corny, but I laugh anyway, regretting it as he places his hand at the small of my back.Could it really be the lip gloss?Plate full now, I turn away and pick up my pace, weaving through tables heavy with linens and glassware, moving just fast enough to avoid his palm. Still pondering the alchemy in a tube of gloss, I happen to glance up, my heart hitting the pit of my gut. I do a cartoon worthy double-take, my feet refusing to move.
Surely not... that couldn’t be...Kai?
Time seems to take on that slow-mo T.V. effect as his head rises, the sun beaming through the tall windows and cresting his head. All that’s missing is the sound of a celestial choir as he looks directly at me, his eyes warmly reflecting recognition, and—I can’t help it—I beam back like a schoolgirl. I think I might also hazard a small wave. And by that I mean massive; I may as well have yelledCooeeacross the grand space. Then I notice he isn’t alone: a table for two and his plus one is supermodel material.
My plate quivers, the tremor, I realise, actually in my hands. Willing my feet to move, I try to make sense of Matt’s moving mouth, his concerned face hovering over mine.
‘You okay? You’ve gone a little red.’
Not surprising, considering my insides are on a spin-cycle somewhere between delight and despair.Blame my idiocy on that smutty dream and resulting orgasm?That has to be it. He’s hardly been hit by the ugly stick since I fell off the ladder, and I managed to retain all of my faculties then. My current reaction makes no sense. I’m all...agitated. Stimulated.Stirred. And on top of all that, he’s here with someone else.
Matt.Oh, hell.
‘I’m good,’ I squeak belatedly, thrusting my plate into his hands. ‘Can you take this back to the table? I—I think I’ll go and splash some water on my face. You’re right, I am burning. It must be the champagne...or something.’ Words fall in a rush, my smile attempting to fool us both.‘I’ll be right back!’
As I dash out of the restaurant, Niamh’s words echo in my head. It’s all well and good being who you want to be, but what happens when who you want to do, doesn’t want you?
