Page 6 of Asking For a Friend

I thought Hesketh would’ve called by now, but no, it’s Tuesday, and there’s been nothing. I haven’t even seen him in the coffee shop, and I’ve been looking. My editor is already champing at the bit to get the first chapters. I’ve given myself a good talking to, which is why I sit with my back to the door and face the wall.

“What are you doing?” Simon asks as he drops off another cup of tea.

“Concentrating,” I moan. “Or at least trying to. This place is too distracting.”

“Maybe you need a break from here, work from home for a couple of days.” That makes sense, but I don’t want to miss the opportunity of seeing the man I’m not supposed to want.

“Probably, but I’m here now.” I put my earbuds in and get back to listening to Sundara Karma and start to type. The words are finally flowing, and I don’t need any other interruptions today, so when a shadow darkens my screen, I look up and scowl. “For fuck’s sa—” Mr Hottie McHotpants, a.k.a. Hesketh, is standing next to me with a smirk on his perfect face. “Oh.”

“Hi, is this a bad time? I wondered if you’d like to grab some lunch with me.” He points to a tray on the table next to me. “Simon said you haven’t eaten yet.”

“Simon is a tattletale,” I grumble, looking over my shoulder and shooting daggers at him. The sod just laughs and gives me two thumbs up. I shut the lid of my laptop. “It’s probably easier to sit at that table.”

He nods, and I move over to the table next to me.

“Simon said you like this for lunch.”

And Simon was right. The Greek salad with pita bread is one of my favourites. “I’m going to have to find another coffee shop to work.”

Hesketh eyes the papers and books on my table. “I’m not sure anywhere else would let you.” His fucking dimples pop out, and my heart melts a little more. Damn him.

“You’ve got a point. You seem to find it amusing.”

“Um, no, not really. Do you always work like this?”

“You mean messy? Yes, I couldn’t do this at home, so yeah, I’m here most days.”

“And they don’t mind?”

“I used to work here before I started writing. I like it here. It calms me.” I fork a bit of feta off the top of my salad. “You must work near here if you can pop in and out to leave me silly gifts.”

“Yeah, not far. I run an events company with my best friend, Ellis. It’s about five minutes away. But to get to my office, I have to get the tube. I don’t live nearby. Do you live around here?”

We chat easily without any underlying tension. None of the kind of ‘this is just a prelude until I can get you naked’ talk. And when he has to go, he clears everything up and places it on the tray.

“You’re a bit of a neat freak, aren’t you?” I waggle my eyebrows as he wipes his hands.

“Guilty. Your table has been giving me hives.” He laughs, natural and refreshing.

“That’s why I work here. Having all these papers around me at home would drive me mad, and I would forget to eat and drink. Simon, Kate, and the others prevent me from dying of hunger and dehydration.” I look around, not sure what to do now. “Thank you, Hesketh. This has been great.”

“Yeah, I enjoyed it too.” He checks over his shoulder, then leans back in. “Would you like to do it again, perhaps somewhere not full of people trying not to watch?”

I let out a laugh, and it feels good. I can’t remember when I last had fun. Not with all my mates constantly pushing me to hook up. “I would. It’s been fun. When are you free?”

“I can do Friday or Saturday night this week. After that, I’ll be busy. The Christmas party season starts earlier every year. Or we can stick to lunches for now?”

I chew on my lip. Would those nights make it too date-y? But if those are the only ones he can give me, I’ll have to suck it up. I do want to see him again. What is it about him that my barriers are breaking down? Maybe because he’s younger than my usual type or because he hasn’t been too pushy. I don’t get the impression all he wants to do is fuck me, then walk away. He wouldn’t have put so much effort into choosing those gifts. I like him, more than I’ve liked anyone recently, and the fact that he’s hot as hell helps. At least that’s what my libido tells me. So yeah, here goes nothing. “Yeah, I can do those days. Is it sad that I’m totally free over the weekend?”

“I’m going to say no, but that’s only because I’m free too.”

“Saturday night, then? I’m happy with a quiet pub with good food. I don’t need trendy bars and nightclubs.”

“That sounds perfect. Can I call you with a where and when?”

I’m nodding before he’s finished talking. “Okay. And thanks, Hesketh, for lunch and your company.” And I mean it. I actually had a great time.

“Anytime, Lando.” He waves to my laptop. “I’ll leave you to your work.”

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