sure he is. He could lighten up a bit on the bodyguard act though.’
‘Bodyguard?’ I frown.
‘Look, I’m not being funny, but being smiled at when you’re at the urinals is kind of off-putting.’
‘He followed you to the toilets?’ I don’t know whether to be angry or laugh. ‘He came up to you at that bar, and he followed you to the toilets? You’re kidding?’
‘Well, it could have been a coincidence.’
I raise an eyebrow. ‘And he smiled?’
‘In a kind of, well not menacing, more warning, like “don’t mess with my woman” way. It made me a bit nervous if I’m honest!’
After deciding he wasn’t being controlling – like Dad – but more caring – like Mum – and not possessive – like Dad – but more protective – like Bea, I am now cross again. There’s protective, and there’s ‘this is getting downright over the top’.
Following my date into the toilets suggests the kind of quality control that is totally uninvited. Was he checking he measured up in all departments?! ‘Oh, you have to be joking me. And I’m not his woman, honest!’
‘I get that.’ Steve shrugs. ‘But maybe he wants you to be.’
It’s not the same after that. The conversation doesn’t quite flow. It’s like going out with your dad in attendance. Well worse.
Dad, when he was present, always gave my friends a bit of a once-over to see if he approved, but he was actually quite distant most of the time now I come to think about it. He kissed, cuddled, joked, called me his girl, but emotionally he was actually quite closed off.
Which is weird now I come to think of it. Because I haven’t thought about it like that before.
In fact, I’ve only realised it right now, because Noah is the exact opposite. He’s managed to get right under my skin for all kinds of different reasons.
Steve leans in and kisses my cheek. ‘Honestly, I’d give it a go. That girl he’s with is well pissed off.’
‘I hadn’t noticed.’ I have though, and I know it’s totally horrible, but I’ve been pleased that they’ve not been all over each other.
‘Thanks for this evening, I’ve enjoyed it.’
‘Me too.’
He smiles. It’s not a sparks-flying what-comes-next type of smile. It’s just, well, nice. ‘Maybe we could do coffee some time?’
‘I’d like that.’ And I mean it. I would. As homework goes, this date has been pretty good. Apart from the interfering-Noah bits. I obviously don’t want Steve to realise I’ve categorised him as ‘homework’ and not ‘red-hot date’.
‘You sure I can’t walk you to the bus stop or anything?’
‘She’s sure.’ Noah’s silky-smooth voice makes me jump. I could hit him! Or, I could go with Steve, just to spite him. Or I could be mature and stand my ground and give him a piece of my mind.
‘Okay?’ Steve gives me a questioning look.
I sigh. ‘Sure. I’m sorry, I had a lovely evening, thanks. And I would really love a coffee sometime.’
‘Great. See you round! Keep up the training.’ He makes a running motion and I smile.
‘Will do!’
‘I’ll text you!’ He is watching Noah nervously, but then plucks up enough courage to kiss me on the cheek.
‘Great! See you soon!’
‘Is this seat taken?’ The instant Steve turns away, Noah points at his empty seat.
‘The standard of your chat-up lines has dropped dramatically.’
‘It can go either way after a few drinks. I’m either hilarious, suave and a total catch, or a bit cheesy. So, he had an early night?’
‘Steve? Yeah, he had to get off.’
‘Good evening?’
‘Great, he’s really nice.’
‘Reliable and considerate?’
‘Yep, and kind, easy to talk to.’
‘Boring then?’
‘I didn’t say that!’
‘Ahh but you didn’t have to,’ he waggles a finger, ‘go on admit it, he didn’t light your fire.’
I sigh. ‘Just how drunk are you?’
‘Not that bad. Can squeeze a couple more in; are you game, Rosie-Posie?’
He’s not exactly swaying, but he’s definitely had a few more than me. And all of a sudden, getting slightly sloshed with Noah seems like quite a nice idea. There’s been an edge between us since Steve asked me out, and I’ve missed our easy closeness. Noah and I just kind of slipped into a jokey double-act effortlessly from the first time we met. I can’t remember ever having that with anybody, not even Robbie.
I’ve missed Noah.
I’ve also missed the little fizz when his arm brushed mine, the lump in my throat when he held my gaze for just a nano-second longer than a casual friend would do.