Page 72 of The Final Beat

When I reached her and was within a foot of her, I was rock hard. She looked beautiful with her green eyes shining brighter than I’d ever seen them before.

“Hey,” I said, almost in a whisper. “Good to see you.”

“You, too. How’ve you been?”

I nodded. “Great. Yeah, great. Been going to the gym and eating healthy. You know, trying to get rid of the tour and Christmas belly. In fact, at this point I think I’m seventy percent cheese.”

She laughed and shrugged. “You don’t look like you’ve suffered too much in all honesty.”

“Oh, I don’t know, my jeans were a little snug by the last gig.” I placed my hand on my flat stomach.

“So, how’s things? What’s happening with your mum, your sisters?” She shrugged. “Your life?”

“Me and Zoe are the same as usual. As for my sisters, well Maria and I text, and I think Rosa is coming round.” I rolled my eyes. “Cosima, not so much.”

“She was always going to be a tougher nut to crack.” She reached for my hand, but then quickly snatched hers back. “Old frosty knickers will thaw eventually.”

I nodded, knowing she was right but not sure I was concerned about her. Maria and Rosa I liked, but Cosima was seriously bitter. “Anyway,” I said. “What about you? What’ve you been up to?”

“Not much. I gave up smoking.”

My eyebrows arched as I took on board what she said. “Really?”

“Yeah, really.” She shrugged again. “Figured it was about time and I got a chest infection over Christmas which my doctor said was worse because of the amount I smoked.”

“Are you okay now?” My heart thudded with concern as I put a hand out to cradle her elbow. “Is it all cleared up?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“And you gave up smoking? Just like that?”

“You know me, I’m a stubborn bitch. I’ve also given up alcohol.” That would explain the clear eyes that were practicallysparkling. “I thought if I wasn’t smoking then why not try cutting down on the booze, too? Can’t say that I’ve missed it much.”

“Please don’t tell me you’ve gone veggie as well,” I joked, slapping a hand against my heart.

She frowned. “Get lost. There are some things which would be just weird to give up.”

We both laughed for a few seconds until it fell away to an awkward silence. Only awkward in the sense that it made it clear that I was staring at her, for no other reason than I could. Every single thing about her was etched into my memory but the real thing was so much better. More perfect than I could possibly remember.

“I’ve missed you so fucking much,” I groaned, taking a step closer. “I’ve wanted to call you so many times, but I was too chicken.”

Licking her lips, her fingers went to the buttons on her coat, unfastening them as she looked back at me. Once they were undone she shrugged the coat off and draped it over her arm with her scarf. It was only then that she replied.

“I’ve missed you, too.”

Every single nerve ending in my body went on high alert at her words. My heartbeat became irregular, and I could feel swarms of something in my stomach. Had being patient worked? Had Ali been right?

“What do we do about that, then?” I asked.

She looked down at the floor. “Don’t know. What do you suggest?” she muttered.

I could suggest taking her somewhere quiet to shag her but that really couldn’t be my opening offer. It didn’t seem right, no matter how much I wanted it.

“A drink of non-alcoholic beer and a chat?”

She paused for a few seconds and then nodded. “Okay. I just need to put my coat somewhere. I’ll see you at the bar.”

Ten minutes later we were seconded in a quiet corner and chatting like we were the best of friends. There were no bad memories of arguments and throwing punches, no recalling the bitterness that had gone between us, or the times we’d hurt each other.

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