Page 22 of Fundamentals in Flirting

“So why did you not just tell her that you weren’t interested back there?”

“I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.”

“I see. So you just employed advanced level flirting to lead her on instead.”

“I don’t know what you’re on about. I was just making small talk, being nice. Perhaps you should try it?”

He was right; perhaps I should. Not that I’d ever tell him that.

“Not with Mandy Shaw I won’t.”

We ate in silence for a while, gazing out at the view from the car park. When he’d finished and wrapped the chip paper up into a ball, Teddy took a sip of water, and turned his body slightly to face me. He stared intently at me for a moment.

“Urgh. This feels like you’re going to say something important, Teddy,” I said discouragingly. He faltered a little, just briefly, before his composure returned, and I raised an eyebrow at him. “What piece of devastatingly vital information are you about to impart?”

He gave a slight laugh and leant back against the head rest.

“Do you like me, Hannah?”

I paused with a chip midway to my mouth, lips parted in surprise.

“Like you?”

“Yeah. Do youlikeme?”

Teddy tilted his head, his smile a little unsure. His demeanour was a touch subdued compared to his normal swagger.

“I like you more since you fed me,” I said non-committedly. Where was he going with this?

“I see. So, am I on a sliding scale of your approval then?”

I nodded, thoughtfully.

“You started quite a long way off the bottom of the scale, just so you know.”

“Right, but I’m actually in with a chance of you eventually not wanting to emasculate me?”

“I suppose so, although we do have some emasculators back at the surgery for bullock castrations, if ever I change my mind.”

Teddy turned a slightly funny colour, and whispered in a hoarse voice, “Duly noted.”

As he continued to watch me quietly, he blew out a long and mournfully loud sigh.

“What now?” I asked, finishing my food, grabbing all the rubbish, and putting it into the bag.

“I was hoping not to have to do this, but, well, you’re forcing my hand, Hannah,” Teddy replied seriously, and he took the rubbish bag from my lap. “I’m just going to have to go ahead andwooyou.”

On that bombshell he got out of the car and took the bag to the bin across the car park, sauntering with his usual air of self-confidence. It left me totally speechless and staring after him (and not at all fixing my gaze on his tight denim-clad backside. Honest.).

Walking back towards the car, he had a very cocky grin on his face as he slid into his seat.

“Ready to go?”

“Woo me?” I snorted.

I really needed to spend less time with Pluto. I was beginning to sound more and more like my equine companion.

“Yep.”

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