Page 120 of The One That I Want

‘Mmm-hmm.’

‘How clever.’

Anjali’s phone rings and I leave her to answer it. On the way out of her office, it occurs to me that I didn’t tell her about Ewan owning The Daily Grind. I’ll fill her in when I get back.

It’s even busier than usual, but Ewan isn’t working behind the counter today; he must be in his windowless office. I queue up, doing multiple sweeps of The Daily Grind when I spy him – not Ewan, but the bloke who’snotan MI6 agent. He’s cosied up at my favourite table talking to a woman who has her back to me.

As I progress in the queue, I watch them – well,him, as all I can tell about her is that she makes him laugh – a lot – and that he seems keen on her, nodding along as she talks and smiling across the table.

Oh, they might be on a date!

I wonder if this is what life will be like now – I’m embroiled in a romance, so I’ll see the signs of romance everywhere I go.

There’s a gentle touch on my shoulder and I turn. This time it’s him!Thehim.

‘Hi,’ says Ewan.

‘Hi.’ It’s unclear what the done thing is regarding kissing in a busy coffee shop – especially when one of you owns it. We settle on smiling at each other.

‘Perfect timing,’ he says. ‘There’s someone I want you to meet – a friend of mine. We’re over in the corner, so join us when you’ve got your coffee.’

‘Great,’ I reply, even though I’ve promised a coffee to Anjali and staying will mean it’ll be cold by the time I get back. I suppose I could heat it up in the staff kitchen – it’s only a long black.

Eventually, I have my order and I cast my eyes about for Ewan. In the furthest corner, away from the window, he’s standing next to a table and talking to someone I can’t see. I approach.

‘Ewan?’ I say, and he turns with a bright smile.

‘Greta, I want you to meet an old mate of mine. He’s just come in to say hello.’

When he steps aside, there’s a seismic shift in the universe. I gasp, nearly dropping the cardboard tray of coffee and cronuts.

‘Harrison?’

‘Greta?’ he asks, clearly confused.

‘Wait, have you two met?’ asks Ewan.

We all look at each other, our eyes darting about in confusion and (for me) horror. This is far worse than thinking Anjali might have seen me kissing Ewan by the London Eye.

And after a pause so pregnant it could birth quadruplets, Harrison says the worst thing he could possibly say in this situation. ‘Yes, we had a date over the weekend.’

‘A date?’ Ewan barely gets the words out.

‘Yes…’ Harrison must finally realise what he’s said. ‘Oh, wait…you’rethe woman Ewan’s been telling me about.’

I gulp, reaching for any words that might make this situation better. But none come to mind, and I’m left gawping like a proverbial fish out of water, my mouth working but no sounds coming out.

‘Greta? You’re dating my friend?’

‘No!’ I say vehemently, finally finding my voice.

‘Mate, it was one date,’ says Harrison reassuringly. ‘It didn’t work out – we’re not seeing each other again.’

He’s clearly trying to make it better, but from the look on Ewan’s face, he isn’t.

‘You’re— But how did you twomeet?’

‘Through a matchmaking agency,’ Harrison replies.

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