Page 82 of Someone Like You

‘You’re not really selling yourself as a wedding date,’ he teases.

The reminder cuts through the fun of our banter.

Not only are we going to yet another formal event together – and I still don’t know if it’s a good idea or just plain stupid – but my aunt freaked outwaymore than anticipated when Mom told her I was bringing a plus one after RSVPing that I was attending alone. She had to add atenthplace setting toonetable – the horror! Mom says I’m firmly in the bad books and that some next-level grovelling will be in order when I see Aunt Christine.

I laugh off Raff’s comment, ignoring the turmoil it has stirred up. ‘I can do the basics. I’m also half Rivera, don’t forget. I’m a pretty decent line dancerandmy dad taught me to salsa when I was little.’

‘MaybeI’llbe the rubbish date then.’

‘You’ll be…’ I can’t say the one thing I want to say, which is ‘perfect’. I settle on, ‘…fine.’

He laughs. ‘High praise indeed.’

Just then the drinks cart rolls by, followed by the food cart, and suddenly I’m ravenous – forairplane food.

‘It’s the best part, isn’t it?’ Raff asks.

‘What is?’

I glance over and we lock eyes. He’s smiling and his eyes seem greener than usual – it’s probably his teal long-sleeved T-shirt doing that. I’ve always liked him in teal.

‘Mealtimes,’ he answers, and I have to remind myself what we were talking about.

‘Oh right – well, they help pass the time.’

‘This might sound strange, but I actuallylikeairplane food.’

I scrunch my face at him. ‘That is strange.’

‘I don’t know what it is – possibly all the little compartments. Like a bento box in the sky.’

‘Spoken like a marketing whizz,’ I quip. ‘You should call BA when we land and sell them that. Or maybe ask the flight attendant to pass it along.’

He sniggers. ‘So, are you expecting to hear from Claire before Christmas?’ The change of subject to Global Reach catches me off-guard.

‘I’m not sure,’ I reply. ‘I’m trying to put it out of my mind. You know – just in case.’

‘Good tactic, focusing on other things until you hear from her.’

Yes, ‘other things’, such as all-consuming thoughts of you and Julia.

‘That’s prudent of you,’ he continues. ‘It’s easy to become obsessed when you’re waiting on news.’

News like whether you and Julia will ‘stick’ or if I’ll get actually get a look-in?

I glance at him and he’s looking at me reassuringly, so oblivious to the irony of what he’s just said, it’s laughable. Only I don’t laugh, because if I start it will be impossible to stop, and I’d rather not be that bizarre woman on the flight who laughed hysterically for the entire Atlantic crossing.

‘Mm-hmm,’ I say instead.

One thing is clear: I can’t keep obsessing about Raff and Julia – rather,Raffia. I’ll go nuts.

‘Can I tell you something?’ I ask.

‘Anything.’

Hah! If you only knew how untrue that is.

‘I want it, the role – Ireallywant it,’ I say.

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