Page 43 of One Month's Notice

“Deal.” Nat gave Lexi a broad smile, then spun back around to face the mirror. “You’d better finish my hair, otherwise we’ll never make it to the club!”

“Done!” Lexi teased the curls around Nat’s face, each one emphasising the range of tones in her chestnut hair.

With a final nod of approval at their reflections, they grabbed their bags and headed for the door.

“Here we are.” Lexi reached forward to hand the driver some cash as they pulled up to the club. They stepped out into the fresh air and could feel the bass reverberating through the pavement beneath their feet. The club’s exterior was an unusual combination of industrial steel fused with ornate Victorian elegance. Inside, the space continued with the theme of old meets new. Plush velvet fabrics and antique wood tables contrasted with sleek iron chairs and smooth marble topped bars. Nat, always on the lookout for inspiration for her designs, found this blend of styles jarred her senses.

“Let’s get something to drink.” Lexi pointed to a far corner and led the way.

They stood at the bar waiting to catch the attention of the bartender. With the lightest dusting of hair on his top lip, he looked like he had come straight from a day at secondary school. Nat fidgeted with the hem of her dress. Although she was a little tipsy from the drinks at Lexi’s flat, she still felt a little self-conscious at how much of her legs were on display.

“Stop pulling at your dress.” Lexi grabbed Nat’s hands and placed them on the sticky surface of the bar. “You look stunning.”

“If you say so.” Nat rolled her eyes.

“Two gin and tonics, please,” Lexi shouted to the bartender as he approached.

“Make those doubles,” Nat added. Lexi nodded her approval, and he returned moments later with two large glasses. She tapped her credit card on the machine, then lifted her drink and clinked it against Nat’s before taking a long sip.

Nat’s eyes swept over the sea of bodies. The club was buzzing with energy as they navigated through the crowd in search of a vacant table.

“Over there!” Lexi pointed to a spot on the other side of the dance floor, but as they made their way, Nat collided with a familiar figure stepping back from the bar—Michael. His eyes, bright blue even through the darkness of the club, widened in surprise.

“Nat, Lexi! What are you doing here?” A wide smile grew on Michael’s face. “Hey Enzo, look who’s here!” Enzo appeared from behind Michael, holding a glass of beer.

“Hey, what a coincidence.” Enzo looked directly at Lexi with a mischievous grin.

“Yes, isn’t this such a coincidence?” Nat raised an eyebrow, glancing at Lexi whose cheeks had suddenly developed a deep shade of pink beneath the strobe lights.

“Oh, I love this song!” Lexi grabbed Enzo’s hand. “Come on.” She pulled him towards the dance floor before he could protest, leaving Nat and Michael standing side by side and watching them disappear into the crowd.

Michael turned to Nat. “You look really beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Nat blushed. She had always struggled to accept compliments, especially when it came to her appearance. “This is all thanks to Lexi. If I had my way, I’d be in jeans and a jumper!”

“Well, I’m glad you took Lexi’s advice tonight. Shall we?” He gestured towards a corner table that had just been vacated.

“Sure.” Nat took a seat opposite him and placed down her drink. She pushed down the annoyance hovering under the surface from his lack of contact all week. “Your holiday… how was it?” She leaned forward so he could hear her over the music, suddenly conscious of how much cleavage might be on show. She attempted to adjust the neckline without him noticing.

“Exhausting. Enzo and I were on a stag do for an old school friend. Lots of… festivities.”

“Sounds hectic.” Nat tried to picture Michael downing shots among a rowdy group of drunken men, leering at girls and making crude jokes. She just couldn’t quite see it. He didn’t seem like that kind of person.

“It was.” He ran a hand through his hair, a habit Nat noticed when she knew he was feeling uncomfortable. “I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch. I just thought it would be better to wait until I could see you in person.”

Nat fidgeted a little in her seat and twisted the base of her glass. They lived in a world where everyone was used to communicating via text messages and social media. It made a nice change that Michael saved the difficult conversations for when they could talk face to face, where nothing could be misunderstood. Despite this, they sat saying nothing for a while until it was almost unbearable.

“About the kiss…” Michael finally broke the tension, his voice nearly lost amidst the noise.

Nat’s stomach lurched. “Yes. I’ve been thinking about it.” She felt a flush creep over her cheeks.

“Me too.” He paused for a moment. “I meant it when I said it wasn’t a mistake.”

“It wasn’t.” She shook her head slightly. “But I’m not sure what it means.”

“Neither am I.”

They held each other’s gaze, trying to figure out what the other was thinking. The words hung between them, waiting for one of them to break the tension.

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