Page 91 of The Reboot
They had another couple of margaritas, and when the food came, they both moved on to beer – non-alcoholic for Roly.
‘I think we may have over-ordered,’ Ella laughed as the waitress struggled to squeeze all the dishes onto the table.
‘Just a little.’
The food was all delicious, however, and Ella didn’t regret one mouthful as they grazed their way through it. ‘God, I love Mexican. Have you ever been to Mexico?’
Roly nodded. ‘We were there on tour, but I never really saw it. It was the same with a lot of places. I’ve been all around the world and seen the insides of a lot of five-star hotels and concert venues.’
‘Better than not having been around the world at all, I guess.’
‘Yeah. I’m not playing poor little five-star prisoner here. We got taken to some amazing places. And the view out the window was always pretty great.’
‘Still, I get that it must have been frustrating.’ She didn’t want him to think she was criticising.
He nodded. ‘So near and yet so far. It sounds weird, I know, but I kind of felt I was missing out when Jack and some of my friends went travelling – I was envious.’
‘So you never got to woo those French girls with your awesome linguistic skills?’
‘Nope. I’ve been to Paris several times, but I’ve still never even gone up the Eiffel Tower. How about you?’
‘I’ve never been to Mexico. But I have gone up the Eiffel Tower.’
‘You’re going to tell me it’s shit, aren’t you – that I didn’t miss anything?’
She shook her head, smiling. ‘No. It’s great. Sorry!’
‘It’s fine. I hate when people tell you things you’ve missed out on are actually crap, like they’re throwing you a bone because they feel sorry for you.’
Ella nodded. ‘It’s so arrogant too, as if their opinion is the last word. I’d rather make up my own mind, thanks. Although I’m pretty sure everyone agrees about the Mona Lisa. Now, thatisshit.’
He grinned. ‘I’ve heard. Too small, right?’
‘Yeah. I mean, make an effort, Leonardo!’
‘People have walls to cover.’
She laughed. ‘It’s not that it’s shit, in fairness – just disappointing. Although maybe it’s not anymore, now that the word is out and everyone’s expecting it to be small?’
‘I’d probably be impressed because it was way bigger than I imagined.’
Ella loaded up the last nacho with sour cream, guacamole and salsa. ‘I’ll be lucky if this dress still fits me tomorrow. At least I’ve got to wear it once.’
‘You look gorgeous.’ There was something in the way his eyes lingered that made Ella’s breath catch and she was unable to look away.
‘So do you,’ she said, her heart beating faster. Suddenly she felt hot and jittery, and very aware of the sensual curve of his mouth, the dark hairs on his tanned forearms where they rested on the table, his beautiful hands with their long, elegant fingers, the glimpse of his tongue when he laughed. God, he was hot! She found herself imagining sucking on his plump bottom lip, touching her tongue to his, feeling his hot breath in her mouth. It had been such a long time…
Gah! It’s Roly, she told herself. She’d just had too much tequila. But then, as if he’d been thinking the same thing, his eyes dropped to her mouth. And he hadn’t had any tequila at all.
On the walk home, Roly took Ella’s hand. She liked the feel of his strong, warm fingers wrapped around hers. She didn’t know if he was doing it because she was a bit unsteady on her feet or just because he wanted to. But the way his thumb stroked idly over hers seemed intentional, like an unspoken agreement. She felt warm and woozy, and stumbled as they went in the door. Roly caught her.
‘I’m a bit tipsy.’
He grinned. ‘I can tell.’ He held her arm as they walked up the hall into the living room.
‘Thanks for my birthday dinner,’ she said, unwrapping her shawl and dropping it on the sofa.
‘You’re welcome. Hang on,’ he held up a finger. ‘I have a present for you.’ He strode out of the room, but instead of waiting, Ella followed him upstairs to his bedroom.
