Page 73 of So, I Met This Guy . . .

Abruptly Maggie felt herself snap back, pulling her crossbody bag to herself, like a barrier. She’d done that before, remember? Given her number to a stranger and blown up her life.

‘Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean—’ Seeing her body language, he quickly held up his hands as if in surrender, his smile apologetic; a man who’d attempted to flirt and misread the signals. ‘I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable.’

‘No, it’s fine.’

Oh God, he was just being nice and she’d gone and freaked out and now it was all so awkward. What happened to the make-believe bubble? To fun, fascinating Maggie on a sabbatical? Real life, Maggie. That’s what happened. Real life.

‘Well, nice to meet you.’

And now he was picking up his backpack and throwing it over his shoulder.

‘Yeah, I’ve got an early start; we’re driving to Sicily.’

‘Sounds amazing, I’m heading to Greece for a little bit, then back to Lisbon.’

‘Well, have fun.’

‘You too.’

They both turned to walk away, and she turned back.

‘I suppose you’re not really a stranger.’

He turned.

‘Seeing as I know your name and where you live and what you do for a living. And that you prefer pasta to pizza,’ she smiled.

It wasn’t real life that had brought her to her knees. It had been one man. And that wasn’t the same man standing in front of her.

‘0786 . . .’

It wasn’t the same man putting her number in his phone.

And as she walked away, down the steps, back towards the hotel, a few minutes later, she heard her phone ping. And, smiling, she reached for her phone in her bag, expecting to see the photo he’d just sent her.

Except it wasn’t a photo from Sander. It was a text from a number she didn’t recognize.

Hi Mags, it’s me, Theo. It’s been a long time. How are you, babe?

Sicily

Day Five

Nine more days to go

Maggie

Everyone loved him.

All my friends thought he was handsome and charming and that I was so lucky. When we announced our engagement, they couldn’t have been happier for me.

‘He’s perfect, Maggie!’

‘Congratulations!’

‘Amazing news. We’re so pleased for you both!’

‘What a beautiful ring!’