“What about you? What have you been up to since I last saw you?”
“I haven’t had any hen dos to busy myself with, but I’ve had a lot on with work too.” He passes me my first glass. “Okay, here you go. It should be refreshing on the palate, citrus and peach notes. See what you think.”
I thank him, and under his scrutinizing gaze I inspect the color and then take a drink. Taking my time before giving him a verdict, I wait a moment before having another sip, knitting my eyebrows together in what I hope is a pensive manner.
“Well?” he prompts.
“I like it,” I tell him truthfully. “I like it a lot. I think I could drink that.”
He smiles, his shoulders relaxing. “As good a compliment as I can get from you, I reckon.”
“You know I’m not a beer drinker.”
“I know,” he says, getting my next taster prepared. “We’ll move on to a lager next, I think.”
“Sure.”
“I hear you’re moving?” He doesn’t look at me, his eyes focused on his task. “Cali and Dominic mentioned something when I was out with them recently.”
Maybe he’s been asking about me.
“Yeah, that’s right. I’m looking to buy my own place actually.”
“Great.”
“I’ve been to see quite a few flats, but haven’t found somewhere yet.”
“The right place will come up.”
“I hope so.”
“Here you go, our crisp and easy-drinking lager. See what you think.”
I go through the tasting motions again, before concluding, “Delicious.”
He raises his eyebrows. “Yeah?”
“Yes. I think I might prefer that to the pale ale.”
“Noted.”
“You look different,” I observe, while he busies himself with the next taster. “You’ve trimmed back your beard.”
He strokes his chin. “It wasn’t my idea, but she was right in the end. I do think it looks better.”
My insides churn and the heat rises to my face, causing my cheeks to feel as though they’re on fire.
He has a girlfriend. Of course he does. People like Jamie don’t just wait around. I’msuchan idiot.
“Just goes to show,” he continues, oblivious to the mental torture and humiliation I’m currently undergoing, “mums always know best.”
Thank fuck.
“Oh right, it was your mum’s idea. Yeah, I think it looks very smart.”
“Smart?”
“You know. Nice.”
