girlfriends,” Sarah sounded annoyed. “Can you believe that?”
“Hold up a second.” I stopped in the street. “Okay, before I go any further and I’ll have you know that I just stopped and am standing here in the middle of 42nd Street. People are brushing past me and glaring at me, but I had to stop because are you serious, right now? He asked you to buy Christmas presents for his girlfriends? I hope you told him no, actually, I hope you told him hell to the no.”
“No I didn’t,” Sarah laughed. “He managed to talk me into it.”
“Girl, no, no, no, no, no. This is not ok. This guy, I know you’ve known him all your life and I know he’s your best friend, but he needs to go and take a long walk off a short cliff. And you know what? I’m going to call my friends tomorrow and we’re going to get you that makeover. And we’re going to take you shopping and get you some new clothes. And you’re going to show Harry what he’s missing because you are nobody’s gift buyer. You hear me?”
“I know. I just didn’t want to let him down.”
“You’re not letting him down, girlfriend. He needs to stand on his own two feet and stop taking you for granted.” I looked at my watch and realized I needed to start walking again. “Girl, I’ve got to go because my date is going to wonder where I am. And I don’t want to be late because you know how some guys are, they feel like if you’re even a second late that you are disrespecting their time.”
“I know. So I’ll speak to you later?”
Yeah. I’ll call you when my date is done. Okay?”
“Okay. I’ll be waiting by the phone. And you know what, Gemma?”
“What?”
“This date is going to be amazing because you’re amazing.”
“Thanks girl, I’ll speak to you later.” We hung up the phone and I put it into my handbag. I checked out my reflection in one of the shiny store windows as I walked past. My reflection pleased me, I looked good. My hair looks silky and shiny. The skirt I was wearing fit me well and while it was short, it didn’t show off too much. I didn’t want to look like I was selling my body, but I wanted to make sure that the guy knew I had a nice body. I mean, I wasn’t going to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated anytime soon. But I did okay. I tried to go to the gym at least once a week. I know once a week isn’t exactly killing it but it’s better than not going at all. I pulled out my lipstick, reapplied it one more time. Licked my lips nervously and then walked into the small little cafe that I’d been told to go to.
“Hi,” I said to the cute redheaded hostess. “I’m here to meet Lucas.”
“Oh yes. You must be Gemma,” She said with a small smile. “Come this way, please.”
“Yes I am and thank you.”
She led me to the back of the room and then she made a face. “Oh, you know what?”
“Uh oh. What?” I said nervously.
“He’s not here yet. Sorry.”
“Huh, I’m a little confused. You knew who I was, yet he’s not here?” I stared at her in confusion, my heart was racing and my cheeks felt hot. Was she lying to me? Did she think I was just not going to be Lucas’s type? Had he told her that any brunette’s with slightly too short skirts were not in the running?
“No, no. Sorry. I’m new,” She gave me a wry smile. “The dating agency uses us a lot and they always give us the information up-front. And I’ve been waiting for you guys to arrive so I could seat you both, but he’s not actually here yet. Would you like to sit at the table or wait at the front?”
“I’m not sure.” I stood there hesitantly.
She gave me a small little smile. “I’ve got an idea.”
“What’s that?”
“What if...” She looked nervous.
“Yeah?”
“What if we go to the front and then when your date comes in, I’ll nod to you. If you like him, I’ll seat you both as per normal. If you think you don’t like him, I’ll pretend that you haven’t arrived yet. And then you can make your getaway.”
“Really? You don’t think that would be bad?”
“No, better a clean getaway than a bad date. And I owe you. So I’d