Page 69 of Be More Lucy

‘I know he’s invited her to stay with him this weekend.’

‘Are his intentions honourable?’

‘That sounds like a question from one of your Jane Austen novels.’

‘You’re avoiding answering.’

Jack sighed. ‘He’s looking forward to spending time with her. He doesn’t want to rush things as she’s only just split up with Josh. He says he’s happy that they’re friends for the time being.’

‘For the time being? That sounds hopeful. I think Lucy would like to be more than friends too.’ Should she have said that? If Jack told Mark, that might make things easier for Lucy - or not.

‘You’re not matchmaking again, are you?’

‘No, I’m not being manipulative. Lucy told me she wants him back.’

‘We better see how it works out then.’

‘You’re not prepared to ask him.’

‘Ask him what exactly? “Hi Mark. Are you planning to fuck Lucy this weekend?”’

‘You could be a bit more subtle.’

‘But that’s what it boils down to.’

‘Well, yes.’

’No, I’m not going to ask him. Leave them to work it out themselves.’

37

The Friday evening flight from Birmingham to Malaga was packed with a mix of regular commuters who quietly sat wearing headphones, keeping themselves to themselves, and several stag and hen parties, who were doing the complete opposite.

Lucy was trying to work while a member of Daz’s Dirty Dozen on her left leaned across her laptop, flirting with Naughty Natalie’s Maid of Honour in the opposite aisle seat.

Once upon a time, Lucy would have flirted with him herself but now it just irritated her. She agreed to a seat swap so the love birds could sit next to one another. She suspected they’d be taking it a lot further as soon as they landed. Which got her thinking about Mark. Em said Jack had hinted the “friends only” rule could be shortlived but she wasn’t 100% sure. Lucy would have to play it by ear.

A couple of hours later, she emerged from security into a sea of drivers in the arrivals hall, all standing around with pieces of paper or iPads with names written on them. The Smith family, Mr Mahmoud, Jo & Sonja, everything but Lucy Thomas. She kept walking. Mark must have forgotten to order her a taxi. She was nearly at the exit doors when she heard a familiar voice.

‘Luce!’

There he was, Mark himself, looking hot in every sense of the word. There was a sheen of sweat across his forehead, and he was out of breath but smiling.

‘I managed to get someone to do my bar shift this evening. Sorry, the traffic was bad. Have you been waiting long?’

‘No. I’ve only just got here. Are you ok?’

‘Yes, but I need to get to the gym more often. Running across that car park has creased me.’

They looked at one another for what seemed like an age. Mark put his arms out. She happily walked into them.

‘I’m so glad you’re here,’ he said as they embraced.

She felt Mark inhale deeply. ‘Hmm’

She pulled back. ‘Were you sniffing me?’

‘No. Well, possibly. Your hair always smells amazing.’

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