Page 68 of Date with Destiny

I sigh. ‘OK, fine.’ I retype my previous draft, adding a few more smiley faces and kisses. Her reply comes fast. And I suddenly remember that I needn’t have worried because we were brought up by the same mother. We are both intense people pleasers…

Of course!! I’ll be back later. Love you xxxxxx

‘Phew!’ I say, leaning back into the pillows as Sonali and Myfanwy read her reply.

‘Apart from Shawn’s antics, last night was pretty great, wasn’t it?’ Sonali says now, smiling impishly at Myfanwy, who grins back.

‘I really feel like I figured a lot of things out,’ I say, remembering again how clear my thinking was. So many things that seemed impossible to decide when I was sober just seemed obvious all of a sudden. ‘It’s such a relief finally knowing how I feel about Daniel.’ I laugh. ‘I still can’t believe he turned up like that! So weird that he saw me tagged in the bar on Instagram and just showed up.’

‘But prediction number four isdefinitelyticked off now,’ Myfanwy says excitably.

‘Hmm, maybe…’ I hedge.

Sonali sighs as Myfanwy makes a frustrated noise. ‘Ugh, Gin! When are you going to accept that the predictions are real? It’s all coming true! That psychic fortune teller was for real!’

‘Sometimes I believe,’ I whisper, feeling ganged up on. ‘Sometimes it seems definitely real, but it’s just… mad. It just seems so stupid to believe. I hate the idea that people will think I’m stupid. I feel stupid all the time as it is.’

‘Same,’ Sonali says sadly. ‘I think a lot of people do.’

‘Maybe once we’ve found the fortune teller…’ I tell her seriously, ‘and I’ve heard it all from her again, maybe I’ll fully believe. Maybe…’

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

I unfold the tiny tissue that came with my cocktail. Then I refold it again. Then I use it to mop up the liquid ring left by the glass on the table. I pick up my drink and take a sip. It leaves another wet ring on the table so this time I use the napkin to dry the bottom of the glass, too.

Oh god, I’m super nervous.

‘Hiya.’ At the sound of the greeting, I look up. Mikey’s handsome face smiles back nervously. He looks as scared as me.

This is our first attempt at a sort-ofdate. Our last two meetings have both been fairly spontaneous and random, with all sorts of people around us acting as a buffer.

I thought for sure he’d want nothing more to do with me after he and Shawn fell out the other night. I was so embarrassed and was composing a huge apology text the next day, when the doorbell rang and there were flowers on my doorstep from Mikey, with a note asking me to meet him.

Sonali kept winking at me about that final prediction.That soulmate one. But that’s her, not me! I am definitely not thinking like that right now. It’s all too soon after Daniel. I mean, I have onlyjustrealized I don’t want to get back with him! I haven’t even told him that fact yet!

Actually, I haven’t heard from him since the party; I don’t think he much liked seeing me with Mikey.

Or Zach for that matter.

I stand up and Mikey hugs me, holding on for a fraction of a second too long as I melt into him. God, he smellslovely. I want to stay there in his arms all evening but he eventually pulls away.

‘You look stunning,’ he says appreciatively, and then leans in to kiss me on the cheek. My whole body reacts.

‘Let’s get you a drink!’ I say, my breath shallow as I try not to make it too obvious what an effect he has on me.

‘Sit down, I’ll get it,’ he smiles and I do so with relief. My legs are all wobbly.

He’s gone a while, trying to get served at the heaving bar. It’s Christmas in a week and London is out in force with office dos, mistletoe wielded in every direction as a weapon. There are groups of people in suits all around me wearing Santa hats, and at least a dozen more in awful festive jumpers. Tinsel and fairy lights have lit up the city, but I find I’m dreading the whole thing. I feel unprepared for the year to end.

In part, because in January I officially start at the new store.

Mikey returns at last with drinks for us both and sits heavily.

‘I’m so sorry about the other night,’ he begins anxiously, searching my face.

‘Don’t say sorry!’ I cry, outraged that he feels so bad. ‘Shawn seems to start arguments wherever he goes.’ I shake my head. ‘To be honest, I don’t even know what it was about.’

Mikey’s shoulders relax a little, but his voice is still worried. ‘It was so stupid, just me trying to be funny. He takes everything so seriously.’ He pauses. ‘You know what I’m like, don’t you? You know it was just a joke?’

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