Page 110 of The One That I Want

‘You did?’

‘I absolutely did.’

We fall silent, an intense look passing between us. I really wish we hadn’t ordered steakandsidesanda bottle of wine. All I want is to abandon dinner and head back to mine – or Ewan’s – I really don’t care.

‘The ribeye and the sirloin,’ says our waiter, placing our plates in front of us. His not-so-perfect timing breaks the spell, and Ewan and I both make a show of oohing and ahhing over our steaks. ‘I’ll be back with your sides,’ says our waiter.

‘So!’ I say, pretending as if we didn’t just engage in a sexually charged bout of staring, ‘the MI6 agent – what’s the story behind the coffee–tea combo?’

‘I’ll tell you, but I should preface by saying it’s hugely disappointing and has nothing whatsoever to do with spy craft.’

‘Maybe you should make something up then.’

He laughs.

‘No, don’t – I want to know the real reason.’

‘Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.’

I prop my chin on my hand to show him he has my full attention.

‘So, one morning…’ he begins, as if he’s about to regale a richly layered tale, ‘he was making coffee for his sister and tea for himself, and he absent-mindedly added the second shot of espresso to the wrong mug. He didn’t realise until he drank his tea that it had coffee in it, and he liked the result.’

‘You’re right. I need you to make something up.’

‘Itoldyou.’

‘You did.’ I sit back and pick up my knife and fork. ‘So, tell me what Remy’s been up to instead – it’s gotta be more exciting thanthat.’

Our sides arrive – mashed potatoes, mushrooms, and green beans – and we serve portions onto our plates.

‘He’s doing well. He’s made a new friend at doggy daycare – a female poodle called Coco. Apparently, they spend all their time together – they even share a bed.’

‘Oh, that’s adorbs,’ I say with a laugh.

‘He’d like to meet you, you know.’

‘Oh, he told you that, did he?’

‘Probably just to shut me up – apparently, I talk about you all the time.’

‘You’re flattering me.’

‘Is it working?’ he asks.

‘I’m not mad at it.’ We exchange another charged smile. ‘So, are you really not telling me where we’re going after this?’

‘I’m really not telling you. Besides, it will becomeextremelyobvious almost as soon as we leave The Archduke.’

‘Hmm, okay…’

‘Just let it be a surprise…’ he teases with a grin.

‘Fine,’ I say with a pretend pout.

‘The wine, sir,’ says our waiter. ‘Apologies for the delay.’

Now, I don’t mind our waiter – he’s polite and he’s reasonably good at his job, even if he did bring the wine after the food – but his timing is atrocious. ‘Bugger off!’ I want to tell him. ‘Can’t you see this lovely man is trying to seduce me?’

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