The Second Virginity of Suzy Green - By Sara Hantz Page 0,32
in Starbucks.”
We walk in and Guy goes to find a table while I head for the counter and stand in line behind a woman with her two children, and in front of them a couple of girls about my age. I turn to watch Guy from behind as he strides across the floor. Not that I’d say this to anyone, other than Maddie and probably Janey because she’s not in the club so won’t find it inappropriate, but he has an awesome body. I knew there had to be a purpose to the football team training sessions he attends twice a week.
“Suzy. Back again?”
No. No. No. This isn’t happening to me. I swallow hard. Tell me that voice and smiling face don’t belong to Ryan. That it’s just a hallucination. It’s got to be.
“Suzy?” he repeats.
“One grande caramel frappuccino, no cream, lots of caramel and a mug of coffee with milk please.” I desperately try to resist the urge to bring my hands up to my cheeks and hide the extent to which they are burning up, because that will only draw attention to them.
“Coming up,” he says smiling at me and appearing totally oblivious to my dilemma. He takes the money from my hand. “I’ll bring them over to you, if you like,” he says after giving me my change. “You’re over there with that guy, aren’t you?”
“You know Guy?” I ask, my voice sounding more like a strangulated cat than remotely belonging to me.
“No. Why?”
“You said his name. You said I’m here with guy and—”
“That guy, I said.” He laughs. “I don’t know him. So don’t worry.”
What did he mean by that? Does he know I’m worried about what he might say? Or is it a veiled threat? Don’t worry now but just watch out because sometime when you’re least expecting it I’m going to drop you in it from a great height.
“We need to talk,” I whisper. “Can you meet me?”
“Sure,” he replies in his normal voice. Hasn’t he heard of discretion? “Give me five minutes.”
“Not here,” I say through clenched teeth. “What about after school tomorrow at Victoria Park.”
He puts down the mug in his hand and stares at me, a puzzled look crossing his face.
“Is your boyfriend coming?” He nods in the direction of Guy.
“Don’t be silly,” I hiss. “Of course he isn’t. Will you meet me or not?” I glare at him. Stop it Suzy. You’re not exactly in a position of power here. “Sorry I didn’t mean to snap. Is it okay?”
“Yeah.” He shrugs. This boy certainly has perfected the art of acting cool. “Four o’clock by the children’s play area. Okay?”
“Thanks.” Phew. I could kiss him. Maybe that’s not such a good thought to be having.
“I’ll wait for the drinks, no need for you to bring them over.” I move to the side, so he can serve the person who’s just turned up behind me, and watch. He’s hardly changed a bit; maybe grown some and broader than before. And he still has that dimple in his chin. I used to think it so cute and—
Crap.
He’s only wearing the diamond stud earring I gave him. I can’t believe he’s kept it this long. This is getting worse by the minute.
“Caramel frap and coffee.” A female voice cuts right across my thoughts.
“Thanks,” I mutter, snatching them from the counter and escaping back to Guy.
“I’d almost given you up for lost,” Guy says when I give him his coffee. “That new guy must be really bad at his job. Or were you catching up on old times?” He gives a laugh.
He should only know the truth, then laughing would be the last thing he’d be doing.
“A bit of both actually.” I arch an eyebrow. Oops, here I go again imitating my mother. “He’s still learning so he’s not very fast and he asked me if I remembered someone from camp. But I didn’t.”
“He seems okay. Ask him over for a chat.”
“No. No. Absolutely—” oh crap. I take a long deep breath. “I mean, we can’t do that he might get in trouble. For mixing with the customers. I’m sure that’s not allowed.”
Guy frowns. “Why ever not?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because it stops them looking after the other customers. I don’t know. I’ve never worked in a place like this.” I twist the bottom of my t-shirt around my finger until it’s creased to bits. Hardly a good look.
“I’ve never had a job,” Guy says dismissively. “Have you?”
“Of course. Everyone in my old school had