Page 24 of Asking For a Friend

“Don’t be daft, Ellis. It’s only been a few weeks. We’re still in the fuck-like-rabbits phase.” As true as this is, why doesn’t Lando want to meet my best friend? He doesn’t seem inclined to introduce me to his friends either.

I get to work. The major Christmas party season has started, and we’re rushed off our feet. Our staff are booked solid through to January. Thankfully, my days working directly with the clients are over. After the initial meetings, we can delegate the appropriate planner to the party style.

My phone buzzes at the same time my stomach lets out a loud growl. It must be lunch time. Lando’s name lights up the screen.

Do you want to have lunch with me?

Yes, I’ll be five minutes.

I lock my phone with a dopey grin. Ellis is watching me. “You’re in love with him.”

It wasn’t a question, just stating a fact. Is it true? Yeah, if it’s not love now, it’s going to be. “What makes you think that?”

“Your smile when you looked at your phone. You’re head over heels for him.”

“I’m not sure what being in love is, but I feel more for him than I’ve felt for anyone else. He’s amazing, so clever but modest. He makes me laugh all the time. And sex has never been as good as it is with him. He makes me want things I never knew I was missing.”

“That sounds like love to me, my friend. And good for you. Now I definitely have to meet him.”

That’s still a big no. Lando can meet my ‘full-on tell me everything about yourself’ best friend when he’s ready. “Soon, Ellis. I’m going to lunch. See you later.”

As I enter the coffee shop, the smell of freshly roasted coffee fills my nostrils. As much as I love it here, I’m ready for a change and a different lunch environment. Lando has already cleared his table and is waiting with his bag over his shoulder. It seems that great minds think alike.

“I fancy a change. Is that okay?” He presses a kiss to my lips, which makes a group of girls say ‘Aww’. Lando blushes but takes my hand.

“I was thinking the same thing. Where do you want to go?”

“How much time have you got? Because that new bistro around the corner looks good.”

“I have time. It’s all office work today. Anything I miss, I can catch up on tonight.” We hurry to the bistro. The wind is bitter, making the temperature drop even lower. When we push through the door, we both let out a sigh. It’s warm, and the aromas greeting us are heavenly, a mix of garlic and herbs.

We read through the menus. It all looks great. When we give our order, Lando orders a glass of wine, which surprises me.

“Is it a special occasion?” It’s only just past one o’clock, and he’s usually at the café until six.

“Not really. I hit a bit of a wall in the storyline, and the best thing to do when that happens is walk away from it for a while and relax. Can you join me?”

In my head, I go through my afternoon, and like I said, it’s all admin. I can do that tonight. “Yes.” I smile at the waiter. “I’ll have the same.”

“Did you get everything done last night?”

“I did. Did you?”

He gives me a rueful look. “I did, which included changing my bed. Which meant it didn’t smell of you when I got into it. I missed you.”

It’s a lot for Lando to admit that. He’s talked more about his past relationships and how he was always all in but his boyfriends weren’t on the same page. Not only were they using him, but often they were cheating on him too. Accusing him of being too clingy, and he should’ve realised it was only ever supposed to be fun.

“I missed you too.” I reach across the table and take his hand. I want to tell him about my conversation with Ellis, how he called me out, but the L-word seems too premature at this stage. I’ve never said it to a lover before. I want to be certain Lando is feeling the same way as me so I don’t make a fool of myself. I know he won’t say it first.

He shifts in his seat and fiddles with the cutlery.

“Are you okay?”

Before he can answer, the waiter returns with a huge bowl of garlic prawns for us to share. Lando sits back in his chair until we’re alone again.

“Lando?”

“Um, yeah, I’m fine. I wanted to get out of the coffee shop for a reason. I may be looking like an idiot, but I realised something this weekend. I’m probably repeating my past, but here goes.” He looks down at his hands and lets out a long breath, then meets my eyes again. “I’m falling for you, or if I’m being truly honest, I’ve already fallen.”

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