I said and relished the faint hint of red that marked his cheeks as he glanced around to make sure no one was listening. “But where it concerns the revealing of secrets, I’m one up on you. So, this means you have my permission to tell everyone about the time I fashioned an adult nappy for myself before failing to achieve the world record I was trying to break. I think that one is sufficiently humiliating.”
At this, Neil gave a low chuckle. “I thought you said Michaela and Sarita already knew about that.”
“Oh, feck, you’re right. That means it’s technically not a secret anymore. Okay, how about this one—”
“Let me stop you there,” Neil interrupted. “You can tell me as many secrets as you like, but I won’t be revealing them to anyone.”
“Why not?”
He gave my hand another squeeze. “Because I don’t want to. And also, because the secret you revealed was one I should’ve revealed myself months ago.”
“I still hate that I did that to you. Normally, I’m like a sealed vault when it comes to secrets.”
“I know that. It was an unusual circumstance, not to mention alcohol was involved.”
I nodded, falling silent as I continued to sip my coffee. I felt Neil’s eyes on me as I brought my gaze to his. I shot him a questioning look. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
“I actually wanted to ask you something.”
“Oh?”
“How do you like being your own boss?”
“Um, it has its pros and cons, but mostly the pros outweigh the cons. Why?”
“Hmm.”
“What does ‘hmm’ mean?”
“I’m thinking of starting my own business,” he said, and my eyes widened.
“You are. That’s exciting. What kind of business?”
“Event planning.”
“Oh! That’s perfect,” I said, remembering him once telling me how much he enjoyed that part of his job as an assistant. “You and Michaela seem to be constantly planning birthdays and special occasions and private screenings and whatnot.”
“Yes. All the Annabelle drama aside, I thought it was about time I moved on with my career. I don’t want to be an assistant forever.”
“You seem happy about this decision,” I said. “It’s a good look for you.”
“You’re a good look for me,” he shot back, and I barked a laugh.
“Oh, my God, I love flirty Neil. He’s my favourite. Wait, since we’re officially boyfriend and girlfriend, does that mean you’re going to start taking me on dates? Will you wear a shirt and tie? Will I get chocolates and flowers?”
“Yes. Yes, to all of that. In fact, we should make Michaela and James’s engagement party next weekend our first official date.”
I grinned at him. “I’m excited. This is very exciting.”
He didn’t reply, instead he leaned across the table again and captured my lips in a kiss.
22.
Neil
I sensed the attention of a few of the coffee shop patrons as I gave Afric a less-than-appropriate kiss for a public space. When we finally broke apart for air, I relished the dreamy look in her eyes. I wanted to make her look like that all the time, preferably while lying naked in my bed.
I was still holding her hand as I brushed the inside of her wrist with my thumb and watched a tremble go through her. I could sit gazing at her all day, but I still had to get the photocopies over to Trevor’s flat before I clocked off. I also had to talk with Callum and James and tell them I wouldn’t be joining them in their sportswear venture. Morally, I couldn’t continue working as their assistant, not after what I’d done. But personally, I felt like it was time to move on, go out there and see what I could achieve on my own. I had no interest in sportswear, and it wouldn’t be fair to Callum and James to take on a job I didn’t feel passionate about, even if it came with a significant pay rise.
Don’t get me wrong, working on a TV show like Running on Air gave me experiences I’d cherish forever, and the friends I’d made along the way would be friends I kept for life, but I needed a change. I needed to take a risk. I’d been staid for far too long.
“I know we’ve technically moved onto eighties romcoms,” I said, “but I discovered an older adaptation of Persuasion that we haven’t watched yet. It’s supposed to be better than the newer version.”
“Persuasion was one of my favourites,” she said, eyes alight.
I know, that’s why I searched for it. I cleared my throat. “Do you