Page 59 of So, I Met This Guy . . .

‘I think you might be overthinking it.’

Pulling out into traffic, Maggie followed signs for the autoroute while Flick fell silent at the reminder that most people didn’t think like her and fidgeted with her phone. She’d woken up to a flurry of drunken texts from Rory and was feeling stressed. He’d been out last night, celebrating the birthday of one of his work colleagues, and while his messages had been sweet and loving at the beginning of the evening, saying how much he missed her, complete with love heart emojis, his mood had gradually darkened as the evening wore on and more alcohol was consumed.

‘Well, anyway, it’s supposed to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world,’ continued Maggie, as they headed out of the city. ‘And the most romantic.’

Flick felt suddenly bad and threw her a look of sympathy.

‘Sorry.’

‘What for?’

‘Being with me instead of some guy.’

‘Don’t be silly.’

‘I’m guessing this isn’t exactly how you imagined it was going to be.’

‘The story of my life,’ shrugged Maggie and the two women exchanged glances.

‘We’ll just have to make our own romance,’ teased Flick.

‘Why do men have the word bromance but there isn’t a word for female friendship?’

‘Womance?’

Maggie laughed. ‘I bet Birdy would know a good word.’

‘Oh, yes, wasn’t she great?’

‘And so generous to pick up our bill. I couldn’t believe it when the waiter told us she’d paid ours as well after she’d left.’

‘I think she must have been really rich. Not sure I believed the stories of the diamonds, they looked real to me. And did you see all those designer shopping bags? She must have spent a fortune!’

‘Do you think she was on holiday on her own?’

‘I don’t know, but I do know I like negronis now. I’m going to have another one when we get to Positano,’ grinned Flick.

‘OK, but we’ve got a long drive first.’

‘Great. It’s a good chance to carry on with your story.’

‘I can’t remember, where did I leave off?’

‘When he walked into your art gallery and you first met him.’

‘Oh yes . . .’ Maggie nodded, her mind flicking back as the road stretched ahead. ‘That was the day that changed everything.’

Maggie

Love-bombing, isn’t that what they call it?

When someone sweeps you off your feet and showers you with gifts and affection and all their attention?

Or is it just plain old-fashioned falling in love?

Those whirlwind first weeks when two people meet and you can’t get enough of each other. Every minute spent texting, talking, being together. Discovering you share the same sense of humour, dreams and desires. When the world both shrinks and expands with possibility and it’s like catching a wave.

The sudden feeling of being alive. Really alive.