Page 16 of Lust

“Deal,” I state, holding out my hand. Clearly confused, I add, “Shake on it?” She rolls her eyes but places her dainty hand in mine and my fingers wrap around it easily. Giving it a couple of shakes, I then release it and say, “Where to, Syd…ney?”

“That’s better. I know the perfect place.”

Syd leads me to a small bistro hidden down one of the many lanes. The outside is simple yet welcoming with its plain cream awning, the name Fork & Fable written in a black italic font, and a colourful and creative Specials board outside the door. A handful of people are seated inside chatting and eating happily.

We step inside and are immediately met by a blond-haired lady. “Hey, Sydney. Table for two?” she asks, eyeing me up and down with interest and curiosity. Syd obviously doesn’t bring people here often and certainly not men it seems.

“Yes, please, Tina.”

Tina shows us to our table, leaving us with menu’s and promising to return shortly to take our drinks order.

“Nice place,” I say, removing my jacket and hanging it on the back of my chair. “How’d you find this place?”

Sydney doesn’t remove hers, and I watch as she considers my question, fiddling with the edge of the tablecloth.

“A…friend. I came here with a friend,” she says after a moment.

I contemplate pressing her, but I don’t really need to. Her dipped head and vague response tell me all I need to know; it was her ex.

“So, what’s good?” I ask, opening my menu.

“Dirty fries,” she states simply.

CHAPTER NINE

SYDNEY

“So, what’s good?” Blake asks, scanning the menu.

“Dirty fries,” I say, my mouth watering at the thought of the delicious fries loaded with crispy bacon, BBQ sauce, aioli and topped with crispy onions. Blake laughs, and I look over to him. “What?”

“Dirty fries?” he questions with smirk.

“Yeah, so?” I counter, a little offended he’s making fun of my favourite food.

He scans my face, and I’m not sure what he’s hoping to find. Hit with some sudden realisation, he lowers his menu and leans forward. “So, it’s not what I was expecting you to say, that’s all.”

I lick my lips and watch as his eyes snap to the action, then it hits me why he would think that. “Oh, so because I’m the daughter of a reverend, dirty fries is funny. Like, if I were to say dirty washing, does that bring the same level of humour for your small brain?”

“Maybe,” he says, one side of his mouth kicking up and his eyes spark with amusement.

“Eww, that’s just…weird,” I say as Tina arrives to take our drinks order.

I order a coke and Blake orders a beer. I roll my eyes at his stereotypical selection.

“I saw that,” he says as Tina leaves to fetch our drinks. “I’m not allowed to pass comment about your food, but you’re allowed to judge my drink of choice. Just so we’re clear on the double standard.”

I begin to protest but realise he’s right, even though I won’t admit it. Hiding a smirk and in an effort to step away from the banter, despite enjoying it more than I should, I ask, “Did you enjoy your book? You know, the one you came to buy the other day.”

Blake doesn’t miss a beat. “Sure did. It was riveting. That’s why I was there today,” he says, closing his menu and placing it on the table.

I’m nodding along and smiling because I know he’s lying. “What was it about?” I ask casually.

Tina delivers our drinks and takes our food order, mine of dirty fries, at which I can’t help smile when I say it. When Blake orders the same, my mouth drops open.

“What?” Blake asks as Tina collects the menus and trots off. “I want to know just howdirtythese fries are.” His tone is serious, then he winks and all pretence drops away.

Unable to refrain, I laugh. It’s a deep and true laugh, one I’ve not experienced in a while—well, not until the other night with Suzi and Cress. Before that though, I’ve not laughed so freely in a long time.

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