Page 52 of Take a Moment

‘Didn’t look like that at all. You seemed so confident. No one will have picked up on it. How’s your leg though? I really felt for you there.’

‘My leg?’ I’m momentarily confused. ‘Oh, my thigh. It’s… gosh, I’d almost forgotten about that. It’s still throbbing, but you know, I didn’t feel any pain at all while I was singing. Don’t know if it was the adrenaline, or just that I was so into the song. Must be a natural painkiller.’

I hitch up my skirt to inspect my leg and despite the low lighting, I can see a large swollen, purpling area about two thirds of the way up my thigh.

‘Ooh,shit,’ Sasha gasps. ‘That looks sore. Want me to get you some ice?’

‘Nah.’ I pull my skirt back down again. ‘Don’t want to give the people in here an eyeful.’

My eyes scan the room, taking in the lively atmosphere: people making the most of their night, enjoying each other’s company. Men, women, older, younger, a whole range of ethnicities, all packed in together, joined in the sense of community that comes with karaoke. Then to my astonishment, a familiar face jumps out of the crowd, sending my senses into a spin.

It’s Matt. He’s here.

Chapter 18

I fumble to grab Sasha’s hand. ‘Sash, that’s him.’

‘That’s who?’

‘Matt. He’s here. In this bar.’

‘Where?’ She’s immediately alert. ‘Point him out.’

‘I’m not going to point in case he looks over. See the guy with the bright orange top? Matt’s the one talking to him.’

‘In the grey shirt?’

‘Yeah, that’s him.’

‘He’sgorgeous, Lex.’

‘He is a bit, isn’t he?’ I crinkle my nose in appreciation.

‘Well, what are you waiting for?’ Sasha gives me a little nudge. ‘Go and speak to him – before you miss your chance again.’

The nerves from my ‘onstage appearance’ immediately resurface. I want to go and speak to Matt, to get that date that we missed out on. I was so ready to do it earlier. Now, here, in a bar full of uninhibited Friday night revellers while almost totally sober myself, I feel less sure of myself.

‘Right, yeah.’ I pick up my handbag. ‘I’ll just nip to the loo first. Check my make-up.’

‘What? No.’ Sasha looks at me in alarm. ‘You look gorgeous. What if he’s not there when you get back? You need to do it now.’

I glance across at Matt. His companion is clearly in the middle of telling a story and Matt and another bloke are listening intently, laughing along with him. As I watch him, the urge to go and speak to him overwhelms me. I want that kind of banter with him, to have him that interested in what I’ve got to say.

‘OK. Wish me luck.’ I start to get up from my seat.

‘Wait, stop.’ Sasha grabs my arm. ‘Who’s that?’

I slowly sit back down and watch as a stunning blonde, with teeth so white I can see them from here, joins the conversation. She drapes herself across Matt, whispering something in his ear. He laughs, then affectionately puts his arm round her waist. It’s a level of intimacy that makes it clear they haven’t just met. I feel like I’ve been punched in the stomach.

‘Well, she’s certainly not one of the staff.’

‘Bugger,’ Sasha huffs on my behalf. ‘I guess he did move on quickly.’

‘Shit happens.’ I shrug, trying for nonchalance, but I actually feel quite flat. ‘How about we call it a night? Not sure I want to watch those two lovebirds fawning over each other. Best not to overdo things as well.’

‘I think that’s a good plan. Just let me run to the ladies’ first. That gin has gone right through me.’

As Sasha heads for the toilets, I try not to look in Matt’s direction, but I’m like a piece of metal trying to evade a magnet. I keep catching myself glancing in his direction, then have to quickly look away. I’m at the point of physically manhandling my chin to keep myself facing the other direction when Matt happens to look over and makes eye contact with me. My first instinct is to look away, but his gaze is so mesmerising I find myself unable to break the connection. Instead I give a little wave, which he returns. Then, to my surprise, he unravels himself from the blonde, excuses himself from the conversation and makes his way across the bar towards me.

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