Page 53 of Wish You Knew
We feasted on crispy prawns, chilli squid, gyoza, katsu curry and ramen noodles, washed down with more beer and wine.
“There’s a great Japanese restaurant in Soho, have you been?” Andy asked, waiting to see if I wanted the last duck gyoza. “What am I saying? Of course you would have!”
“Which one?” I stuck a fork into the little dumpling and lifted it to my mouth. I might have been well-travelled and seen a number of cultures, but I still couldn’t use chopsticks to save my life.
He named a place I had visited on a number of occasions.
“Yes! I love it there, it’s so reminiscent of one I went to in New York.”
“Did you go to Mr Taka Ramen when you were there?”
“The Time Out Market is amazing!”
Saff and Tris watched on with interest as we bantered back and forth about New York and various restaurants and bars we’d been to. Andy was definitely a foodie, which surprised me. I guess I shouldn’t have been so dismissive of him at the start. While we chatted, I didn’t feel any physical kind of attraction to him though. He didn’t make my skin prickle if he glanced in my direction. Not like a certain someone who I didn’t want to think about right now.
Once we’d finished dessert, Saff jumped up from the table. “Come on, let’s get a photo to show how domesticated I’ve become.”
“You’re joking, right?” Tris rolled his eyes at Saff’s suggestion.
“No, it’ll be fun.” Saff fiddled about with her phone, setting up the timer and getting us into position.
“Are you sure you want me in it?” Andy asked, nervously edging to one side out of the way.
“Yes, come on, how often do you get to have your picture taken with a rock star and a supermodel?” Tris joked.
I beckoned him over to sit beside me and leaned into him. “Just pretend the photographer’s naked, that’s what I do,” I whispered in his ear, before placing a gentle kiss on his cheek as the picture got taken.
He stiffened beside me. I drew back and picked up my glass, winking at him. We raised our drinks to the camera, as ever wondering if any of the shots would actually work out. After a few attempts, Saff went to check them.
“Seriously, I have a double chin in that one!” I covered my face.
Andy leaned over my shoulder, peering at the picture. “I honestly don’t see it. You look perfect.”
I turned to one side, breathing in his aftershave. “You don’t have to say that.”
He stared deeply into my eyes, lost in a moment which only he seemed to be involved in.
“Rosie, you can have the final editorial say.” Saff thrust her phone in front of us, oblivious to what might have been happening. “Pick the best one.”
Reluctantly, I took it from her and swiped through the pictures, deleting the ones which I hated. No matter what Andy had said, I still didn’t like looking at myself. “Any of those will do.” I handed the device back to her, watching as she uploaded them to her socials.
All too soon, Andy said he had to go to catch the last train home.
We’d had fun, chatting about New York and other travel locations we had in common. I felt relaxed in his company, but there was something missing.
When he touched my arm, or brushed my hair away from my face, I didn’tfeelanything.
Not like I did when Scott did the same thing.
“Can I get your number?” Andy asked, shifting from foot to foot as he stood up.
No!My heart screamed.
“Sure, give me your phone.” I smiled politely and held out my hand. I tapped in a number and passed it back to him.
Saff watched me with narrowed eyes. “Good to see you again, Andy. Looks like we might see a bit more of you.”
“Hope so.” Andy leaned down and kissed me on both cheeks. “I’ll be in touch.”
