Page 52 of Someone Like You

Seriously?How is he not getting this?

‘So?’ I say, my patience stretched thin. ‘She seemed nice.’

‘Why are you so stroppy all of a sudden?’ he asks.

I regard him closely, going back and forth on what I should – and shouldn’t – say to him. Icouldcome clean and shout, ‘You weresupposed to ask her out, you idiot!’ but instead I reply, ‘Because I was all relaxed and Zen and now we’re packed into public transit, and I already feel like I need another massage.’ It’s the truth – just not the whole truth.

Raff puts his phone in his jeans pocket.

‘No doubt their usual clients make their way home lolling about on the backseat of town cars.’

He’s smirking at me, and I nudge him gently in the ribs with my elbow. ‘You’re teasing me.’

‘A little bit.’

I lean against him, and he switches to holding on with his other hand, then wraps a reassuring arm around my shoulder. He knows how I feel about crowded trains and busesandthe Tube (which also goes underground – the horror). I can never fully relax until I’m above ground, on terra firma, and free and clear of the crowds.

A crowded bar? Fine – I can take myself outside if I need to. But crowded PT? I’d rather stick a fork in my eye. And in the lead up to the holidays, it’s worse than ever.

Only three more stops until Kingston, I tell myself.

‘So, what did you two talk about while I was in the bathroom?’ I ask.

‘This and that. She’s a veterinarian.’

That’s all he found out in fifteen minutes? Raff doesn’t need a wing-woman; he needs a wing-squadron.

It looked so easy on the show – how well he got along with the other contestants. And he’s great with clients – super charming. So why is it that when it’s one on one and he just needs to be himself, his communication skills fly out the window? He was a pink-faced, spluttering mess when Ava first joined us at the spa.

God, is that how he is on first dates? If it is, then it’s a wonder he’s dated as much as he has. Although, it’s likely that many womenfind him charming simply because he’s not a cocky asshole who’s only out for sex.

If it weren’t thwarting our efforts, I’d find it endearing how royally he’s botched these meetings – first Jane and now Ava.

‘Much on for the rest of the day?’ he asks. ‘Hot date?’ he adds.

I shake my head. Who has time for dating this time of year? The last date I went on was in October, and it was over nearly before it started. He was one of those guys who only dates so he can flex. And I mean that figuratively – he couldn’t stop talking about himself –andliterally. I lost count of the number of times he adopted some sort of pose and tensed his biceps.

I got out of there after one drink. Even if I could have put up with his annoying personality for a hookup, there’s no way a guy like that is anything but selfish in bed.

‘Hardly,’ I reply, steering clear of the gory details. ‘I feel like I haven’t dated since the Nixon administration.’

‘Huh?’

I glance up at him. ‘Stupid joke. Never mind.’

‘You know, you really should put yourself out there more, Gabs. You’re an attractive woman, clever, accomplished,kind… Any bloke would be lucky to have you.’

Oh, the fucking irony, I want to shout across the train carriage. Instead, I blink at him, wondering for the umpteenth time how he can be so clueless. He’s got Alicia Silverstone beat a thousand times over.

Poppy

I’m waiting at Ursula’s desk when she comes in.

‘Good morning, Poppy.’

‘Good morning. Have you much on today?’

She pauses a moment, her lips tensing, highlighting my ‘fatal’ error. I’m so keen to discuss Raff’s case, I’ve jumped on her the second she’s arrived.

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