Page 7 of Love, In Balance

“It’s totally fine to look at my leg. I’m used to it. She usually gets all of the attention anyway” she says, referring to her prosthetic and gives me a wink.

Her honesty and upfront manner are refreshing. It makes me admire her even more.

This is so unlike me. I never really notice women, let alone set my focus on them. There’s just something different about her in my eyes.

I feel a pull to her, although I’m not one to believe inlove at first sight.

She sips her drink and gets whipped cream on her nose. She laughs and wipes it off.

“It’s nice to speak to someone different tonight. I’ve spent the week with those lot so it’s nice to have a fresh conversation with a cool like-minded individual” she says. Thank goodness she didn’t find me creepy looking at her like that.

Sort yourself out Quin.

“It’s nice to speak to you too. Honestly that’s the first time someone’s described me as cool though. I’m not so sure” I say with a low laugh.

“Oh, come on. You’re clearly intellectual, funny and charming. Don’t sell yourself short” she says to me.To me.

“Charming ay? Well, people at work probably wouldn’t agree. And I’m sure my mates would take the piss. You’re cool too”And stunning.“I haven’t met many people who could even attemptto answer those academic questions, so it was awesome to see” I say.

“Well, thank you. Likewise. Same wavelength”. We both smile and hold each other’s gaze shortly. Her eyes taking breaks, looking around but always coming back to me, before we get pulled out of the moment by an interruption I donotappreciate.

“Quin, are you coming in?”. It’s Edward; my best friend and colleague, summoning me.

“Yep, I’ll be in soon” I say to him whilst side eyeing that I’m currently occupied.

“Sorry I didn’t realise he had company” Edward says to... I didn’t ask her name.Shit.I’m sure her friend called her Lista or something along those lines earlier.

“We met at the bar earlier during the quiz. We Just bumped into one another again. This is... Lista?” I half say and half ask. “I believe I heard correctly earlier”.

She smiles at me.

“You are correct. I’m not sure how we’ve been speaking all this time and not asked each other’s names” she says. “I’m guessing yours is Quin?”.

Hearing my name from her mouth is addictive.

“Yep” I say, just smiling back. I think I’ve smiled more this evening than I have this entire year. My cheeks hurt. What has gotten into me?

“This is Edward. My best mate”.

“Good to meet you Edward” she says, politely.

“You too Lista. Nice work at the quiz! Those locals totally busted our balls” he replies to her, awkwardly, realising he’sdisrupted our conversation.

“Tell me about it! Anyway, Quin, Edward, I’m going to head in before the guys think I’ve been kidnapped. Although a break from them is always welcomed. Maybe I’ll see you before the night ends” she says with a smile as she looks straight at me. She walks into the pub leaving Edward and I alone.

“Well, that’s a shock. Quin Russell talking to a woman…” Edward says.

I walk off before I can be interrogated by him.

After a few hours, the pub owners usher everyone outside for the New Year’s countdown. There’s a large inviting box with ‘sparklers’ written on the front, and two men setting up fireworks a little further down in the space the pub owns. After a few whiskeys and the guys feeling merry too, I’m feeling rather…unlike myself. I feel warm and fuzzy.

Shit, maybe I am the Jude Law type. No crying Quin.

I search the crowd of people gathered outside the pub, looking for Lista. I really hope she hasn’t left. Not that it matters after tonight anyway I guess. I feel a bump on my back and turn to nudge Edward, but when I look round, I see a petite, gorgeous girl looking up at me with those stormy ocean eyes. Very grateful I didn’t decide to elbow who I thought was Edward.

“Lista”.

“Hey Quin. I happened to see you so thought I’d stand around here for the countdown. Plus, I got us both sparklers to payyou back for the marshmallows”. She has a mischievous, half embarrassed expression as she bites back a smile and hands me a sparkler. I nudge her arm with mine slightly and face towards where the fireworks are being lit. Both of us smile.

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