Good times.
We make our way across the large alfresco dining area that banks the Serpentine, to the café, with its Roman columns and white-painted French doors. As I open the door for her, it’s like my brain goes AWOL. “We should watch it again sometime.”
What the fuck?That’s never going to happen. What’s wrong with me?
“You’d die if I took you up on that.” She sounds as though she thinks I’m joking.
Of course I’m joking.
“There’s no way you’d do that.”Jesus. How deep am I digging this damn hole? Before I can backtrack and save my dignity, she laughs, and the sparkle in her gorgeous blue eyes fry whatever’s left of my mind.
And then she speaks. “You guessed wrong.”
Chapter Three
Mackenzie
Stop flirting with him. Right. Now.
His grin doesn’t help, but I pretend not to notice. Instead, I cross my arms and concentrate on the array of sandwiches and pastries in the glass counter-top displays.Please don’t jump all over my stupid comment.Just like earlier, the quote slipped out accidentally, not that I’m trying to justify my gaffe. When he asked if I wanted to get something to eat, I should’ve stuck to my plan and got the bus home.
I don’t know what made me start with the quoting again.
Because you’ve missed it.
Okay, sure. I’ve missed the easy friendship we once shared, but that’s no excuse for pretending the last two years never happened.No more Princess Bride, got it?
I’m not even going to dignify that thought with a response. I pick up a vegetarian wrap with a pair of tongs and place it on my plate, before adding an apple.
“Which herbal tea do you want, Mac?”
“Chamomile, thanks.” Despite my promise not to flirt again, I can’t stop a smile escaping.Smiling doesn’t count.I’m just relieved he decided to ignore my last remark. “You should try it sometime.”
His grin sends my stomach into freefall.Bugger. “I need my caffeine to function.”
Yeah, and I need oxygen, which seems to be in short supply right now. He pays for my lunch before I have the chance to pull out my card and then glances at me, as though he’s daring me to argue.
I pick up my tray. “You know what that means, don’t you? I owe you one.”
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with what I just said, except the innuendo pounds through my mind,and, if that wasn’t bad enough, I’ve also challenged him to a second date.
It’s not a frigging date.
I need to backtrack, and fast, but the problem is Iwantto see him again, even if it’s got nothing to do with Jake Myers or Atomic Fire.
“I’ll collect next week.”
“Okay.” My voice is breezy, even though inside I’m tied into knots. Is he serious?
We make our way outside and find a table beside the lake, with a view of the Princess Di Memorial Fountain. The wind’s picked up since this morning, but I don’t mind the drop in temperature. With a bit of luck, it’ll cool my rampant hormones.
“Okay?” His tone is mocking, and I flap my napkin over my lap, so I don’t have to look at him. “I half expected you to throw your tea at me.”
“Why waste a perfectly good cup of tea?” I take a sip to reinforce my point, but it’s only a ploy so I can continue to avoid his warm gaze. I don’t even have to look to know it’s warm. I canfeelit.
“I’ve missed this.” He’s not messing around anymore. My breath catches in my throat at his serious expression, and butterflies spiral in my stomach. I replace my cup on its saucer before I spill my tea like a prize dork.
“What, us hanging out together?” The question’s out before I can stop it.
