“Okay, so obviously a little trickier, because it’s one of your school friends.” Ruby prods Leo’s arm with the end of the pen. “This has to be a good one because we won’t be there to support her. So put your game hat on.”
“Got it, got it,” he replies, his forehead furrowed in deep concentration. “How about… you have to kiss a guy?”
“No!” I recoil in horror. “That iswaytoo soon!”
“Yeah, Leo!” Ruby whacks his arm with the pen now. “That is way too soon! What is wrong with you?”
He holds up his hands. “Okay, okay, just a suggestion! I mean, it’s not totally out there.” He hesitates, glancing nervously from Ruby to me. “Is it?”
I can’t even imagine kissing anyone who isn’t Matthew. It seems totally alien to me and, weirdly, even after everything that’s happened, I would feel like I was cheating somehow. I don’t want to kiss anyone else.
I don’t want him kissing anyone else.
“Let’s move on,” Ruby suggests, noting my pained expression.
“Let’s,” Leo says, with a vigorous nod. “Okay, so the second task…”
“How about getting a guy’s number?” Ruby says.
“I don’t think she’s there yet,” Leo snaps, shaking his head at her.
“By then you may be, I reckon, Freya. And if you’re not, then it doesn’t matter. You don’t have to do anything with the number. It’s just a fun game that could encourage a bit of flirtation. When was the last time you had a bit of a flirt with someone?”
I consider Ruby’s question. “Is it flirting if you’re in the queue for self-checkout and you’re not really concentrating and the guybehind you points out that there’s an empty till at the end and you share a moment?”
“No.”
“Well in that case, then the last time I flirted was probably with the hot guy in that French petrol station. Remember him?”
Ruby blinks at me. “That was two years ago and we didn’t know what he was saying.”
“Yeah, but you could tell it was flirtatious.”
“Wow. It’s even worse than I thought.” Ruby tuts. “For the second wedding of the season you will be using your flirting skills to get someone’s number. Don’t worry, we will make working on those skills a priority between now and then.”
“Wait. I think instead she should have to get someone’s cuff links,” Leo interjects smugly. “When you think about it, she could make up that she got someone’s number or get the number without flirting skills. You know, for practical reasons.”
“Hey!” I frown at the two of them. “I would not cheat. And Ruby, don’t think I didn’t notice your little comment about working on my flirting skills. I am extremely charming when I want to be.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah!”
She grins mischievously. “Then it won’t be a problem getting a guy’s cuff links from Isabelle and Ryan’s wedding.”
“Good one!” Leo lifts his hand and they high-five.
“All right, that’s enough of the dorky high-fives,” I huff, prompting them both to look quite rightly embarrassed. “Fine. That won’t be a problem. Let’s move on to wedding number three. Dominic and Cali’s mid-July. Matthew will be there.”
Leo grimaces. “Are you sure he’ll still be going?”
“I know how excited he was for it, so I doubt he’ll easily duck out of that one. He’ll probably think enough time has passed too,” I reason. “It’s mid-July.”
“You know what, Matthew being there is not a problem,” Ruby announces. “This wedding is abroadandLeo and I will be there too. It’s a double win. Where better to see Matthew for the first time than in the South of France where you’ll be tanned and gorgeous and glowing and in little summer dresses that will make the boys go wild?”
Leo clears his throat. “Maybe that’s enough wine for you, Rubes.”
“I think what you have to do for wedding number three is—” She pauses for effect, beaming at me. “—secure a good-night kiss.”
