Page 112 of The Gin Lover's Guide to Dating

‘There’s nothing wrong with that.’ I feel the urge to put a reassuring hand on his, but unsure as to how he’ll react, I hold back.

‘You’re right. There’s not.’ He waggles his head from side to side in a gesture of weighing things up. ‘But it would be a damn sight easier if I had the natural charisma of someone like Josh or Amir.’

I flinch at mention of Josh’s name, now realising that while Aaron has a disappearing act to explain, having two blokes on the go at once has just been added to my list.

‘Charisma only takes a person so far.’ I shrug.

‘It does.’ He nods. ‘You’re right. But it makes for an easy start with people. How many people ignore first impressions?’

‘Fair enough.’ I have to concede this point. ‘So, it’s easier for you to be more open online when you’re anonymous, I get that. Probably the same for a lot of people. But none of that matters, Aaron. Now that I’ve gotten to know the real you, charisma has fallen to the bottom of my list.’

‘You have no idea how pleased I am to hear that.’ He smiles at me, and seems to relax ever so slightly. ‘Breadstick?’

He offers me the basket and I take a breadstick from it. He then starts to pour me a glass of water from the jug on the table.

‘Thanks. So, you were going to explain why you cut all contact?’ I prompt him once more.

‘It’s very simple.’ Aaron takes a sip of water. ‘When your blog became public, you were fired. There was a lot of talk about how you’d been having an online relationship with someone else behind Josh’s back.’

I flinch again at the mention of this.

‘I realised that I needed to back off,’ Aaron continues. ‘I’d created a mess for you. Also, if it had come out that I was involved, my job would have been at risk. I have a daughter, so I just couldn’t let that happen.’

‘Of course,’ I murmur.

Aaron pauses for a moment before explaining further. ‘As I couldn’t meet you in person, and you were becoming – quite understandably – frustrated by this, I thought it best to disappear. I wasn’t sure I could live up to your expectations. I was an image built up in your mind; I realised that from the blog post you wrote about me and Josh.’

‘Oh, hell. That bloody blog post.’ I put my head in my hands. ‘I’m so sorry about that. I shouldneverhave written it.’

‘I thought it made me come across quite well,’ says Aaron. ‘Other than physically.’

Lost for words, I simply chew my lip in embarrassment.

‘I know I hurt you, Liv.’ Aaron looks me straight in the eye. ‘But I didn’t have much choice. I’m sorry for that.’

‘And what’s changed now?’ I crunch my breadstick absently. ‘Why are you suddenly out in the open with this?’

‘Because I’m leaving the hotel.’

‘You are? No one’s said anything.’

‘That’s because they don’t know yet,’ says Aaron. ‘I’ve got a new job – another general manager role. What happened before won’t matter anymore. Especially if you’re willing to wait till I move on before we go public… and we make up a different story about how we got together.’ He suddenly looks nervous again. ‘That is, Liv, if you even want to continue where we left off after all this?’

I take in his apprehensive face. Everything he’s just shared has obviously been really hard for him, and the middle ground he’s found tonight to be able to be a bit of who I met online, while still battling with his demons. I know my answer. But my own list is still not clear.

‘Do you still want to date me, given I was juggling you and Josh at the same time?’ I’m unable to look him in the eye as I ask this. Instead I stare out the window on the other side of the room, where the snow is now coming down heavily in huge cotton-wool-like puffs.

‘I do.’ Aaron looks me straight in the eye once more. ‘I don’t care about that. You were confused. And to be honest, I wastryingto confuse you, so you wouldn’t fall head first for that charismatic bugger Josh.’

I laugh, as Aaron leans in and takes my hand. It’s like a bolt of electricity surges through me at his very touch.

‘Anyway,’ he continues, suddenly looking slightly uncomfortable. ‘The real question is whether… now that you know I have a personality… you’ll kiss me?’

‘Oh hell, you did hear us!’ My face turns beetroot. ‘I can’t believe you overheard me and Reyes playing Snog, Marry, Push off a cliff.’

‘I heard a lot more than you realise.’ Aaron smiles and strokes my hand affectionately. ‘Like you and Reyes chatting about your blog – the two of you weren’t as discreet as you thought. How else do you think I knew about it?’

‘I see.’ I smile sheepishly.

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