My Year of Saying No - Maxine Morrey Page 0,18

who’s Seb?’

‘Seb is the man who’s perfect for her!’ Jess interjected as she swung herself onto the seat next to us.

‘Ignore her. Seb is just a good friend.’

‘More than that.’

‘He is not.’

‘So why isn’t he here?’

‘One, we’re just friends.’

‘He could still learn.’

‘Fair enough. And he probably would give it a go.’

‘Really?’ Jess asked, a hint of surprise in her voice and I knew why.

‘Yes. He doesn’t let his injury stop him trying anything.’

‘So why isn’t he here?’ Andy asked again.

‘He lives miles away.’

‘No distance is too much for love,’ Jess swooned.

‘Oh, for goodness’ sake. All that Latin music and those last two cocktails have addled your brain.’ I slurped up the last of my own mocktail, twirling its tiny paper umbrella as I did so.

‘Not at all. I’m the one who sees things clearly now.’

‘No, you are the one in gushy, romantic love and it colours everything you see,’ I said, gently.

‘I think you’d be surprised.’

‘I would.’

Andy gave me a grin as, on the bar, my phone began to ring. Seb’s picture showed on the screen.

‘My, my! Who’s that?’ asked Mario as he and Harry joined our conversation, peering over Andy’s shoulder at the phone.

‘That’s Seb!’ Jess pointed, excitedly, almost bouncing in her seat. ‘See, I told you?’

I juggled the phone and quickly answered, trying to angle myself in a way that would prevent everyone seeing Seb’s ridiculously good looking face smile slightly crookedly from my phone screen. ‘Hi, I’m just in the middle of something. Can I call you back in a bit?’

‘Sure.’ He paused for a beat and I saw his eyes take in the background. ‘Oh sorry, I didn’t realise you were going out after the class.’

‘No. I didn’t know I was. Kind of a last minute thing with some others from the class.’

At this, the other four crowded round me and waved at the screen. Seb gave an unsure wave back as I rolled my eyes and wriggled away to a quieter spot.

‘Oh, right. OK. Great. That’s good. Looks like you enjoyed it.’

‘I did, thanks.’

‘OK, Well, I’ll let you get back to it. Have a nice evening and we’ll catch up tomorrow or something.’

I glanced at my watch. ‘Oh my god, is that the time?’

‘Yeah. I was… just a bit worried about you.’

‘Sorry. I know I said I’d call.’

‘It’s fine. I’m happy you’re OK and having fun. I’ll let you get back to your friends. Take care.’

‘Bye, Seb.’

And he was gone. Turning back to the bar, four faces were watching me.

‘Oh, for goodness’ sake! We’re just friends!’ I laughed, exasperation in my words.

Mario gave me a look. ‘Sweetheart,’ he said, his Italian accent infusing the word with meaning. ‘Friends is great. We are friends now. It is wonderful! But—’ he took my phone from me and tapped at a couple of things on the screen before turning it back towards me. Seb’s picture was back up on the screen, along with his contact details. ‘If he looks like this, is straight, solvent and single, then you reaaaaally need to do something about the whole “just friends” thing!’

‘Here, here!’ Jess added, raising her glass.

‘Oh… shush!’ I said, grabbing my phone back and shoving it in my bag. ‘I’m more than happy just as I am, and so is he. I’m not about to go ruining it.’

Mario crossed his arms and shook his head at me.

I looked to Andy for support.

‘Sorry, kid. I’m kind of with them.’

I tipped my head back on my shoulders for a moment and let out a sigh. ‘Ugh, Andy! I was relying on you for sensible back-up!’

He let that unexpected smile loose again and shrugged.

Shortly after, we gathered our coats and headed back out into the sharp wintry night air. There were, as always from the newspapers, rumours of blizzards, but the sky was clear and, away from the street lights, pinpricks of bright starlight shimmered in the blackness. We shared hugs and number exchanges with Mario and Andy, before Jess, Harry and I walked to the car park where we’d left our cars. After more hugs, we got in our respective vehicles, and Harry, who’d also been relegated to mocktails this evening, pulled away quickly, the tail lights of his Jag soon disappearing into the stream of cars along the road before turning off.

My breath steamed in the cold air and I rubbed my hands together quickly after putting them briefly on the freezing steering wheel, ruing the fact I’d left my leather gloves in my other coat. I gritted my teeth