Page 74 of The Gin Lover's Guide to Dating

‘Right.’ I perk up a little. ‘I guess that’s not so bad then. Only…’

‘Only, what?’ Amir prompts me.

‘Well, I guess I’m just a bit concerned about Aaron finding out.’

‘Why’s that?’

‘I don’t really know.’ I ponder this for a moment. ‘Maybe just because I don’t know how he’ll react. He’s hard to judge. I don’t want him to think I’m taking the piss or anything, you know, when he’s helped me out.’

‘I’m sure you don’t need to worry about that at all,’ Amir reassures me. ‘Aaron’s awkward, but he’s still human. He knows better than most how working in this industry affects personal lives.’

‘I suppose.’

‘I agree with Amir.’ Reyes leans casually against the doorframe. ‘You have no worries, Chica. And I am sorry if we are making you like this.’

‘No, don’t apologise, it’s fine.’ I offer her a feeble smile. ‘I overreacted. Guess I’m still feeling a bit vulnerable after everything that’s gone on.’

‘That’s totally understandable,’ says Amir. ‘And being hungover won’t be helping either. Messes with your head. Just take it easy tonight, yeah?’

‘Thanks,Boss.’ I get up from my seat to receive the friendly hugs I’m being offered by my friends. ‘Compared to Clara, you’re like the male equivalent of Mother Teresa.’

Around midnight the bar is nearly empty, allowing Reyes and I some time to chat as we hang aimlessly, waiting for the few remaining punters to pay up and go. Amir has taken the opportunity to nip away and focus on some of his managerial tasks.

‘So, you are liking Josh then?’ she asks me. ‘It is looking like this when you come back from your break with him earlier.’ Her eyes are twinkling with mischief.

‘Yes. Of course, I like him. Who wouldn’t?’ I consider how to sum it up for her. ‘He’s gorgeous – obviously. More than gorgeous. He’s like a total Adonis. And he’s really sweet and fun to hang out with. We have such a laugh.’

‘This is all so good.’ Reyes clasps her hands together, clearly thrilled. ‘I am very happy for you, Chica.’

‘Me too.’ I smile to myself smugly. ‘You know, something else – he’s actually really respectful and considerate. Definitely doesn’t behave like I’d expect from a guy who looks like him: that’s such a bonus.’

‘How are you expecting this kind of man to be?’ Reyes looks puzzled.

‘A total twat.’ I shrug. ‘Full of himself. I’ve come across enough of them, particularly at work. Though never quite in Josh’s league.’

‘Ah, OK. I understand this.’ Reyes nods. ‘Some hombres think too much that they are the best. And they are treating the chicas badly.’

‘Exactly that.’ I nod. ‘Over here we call them players.’

‘Players.Pla-yers.’ Reyes repeats this slowly to commit it to memory. ‘Ah, that is reminding me. I have been learning a game. It is new. We must play it.’

‘A game?’ I look at her sceptically. ‘What’s it called?’

‘It is being called Snog, Marry, Avoid.’

‘Snog, Marry, Avoid?’ I let out an incredulous laugh. ‘That’s not a new game. I used to play it at school with my friends when I was, like, fifteen.’

‘It is not new?’ Reyes looks disappointed.

‘No, I’m afraid not. There’s even a TV show based on it. We actually played a variation on it in school: Snog, Marry, Push off a cliff. But it’s the same principle.’

‘So, we will play your version.’ Reyes’s face brightens again. ‘I would like to do this. Will you play?’

‘OK…’ I shake my head to check I’m not in some kind of weird dream where I select my ‘snog’ guy, then suddenly find myself making out with a slavering warthog on a train to Nepal, or something similarly strange. ‘Do you want to ask first, or shall I?’

‘I will ask first,’ Reyes announces. ‘Who you will snog, who you will marry, and who you will… push off a cliff? Your choices… Josh… Amir… and… Paulo from the kitchen.’

‘Ooh, that’s difficult.’ I mull over my choices, upping the suspense to humour Reyes. ‘I’d push Paulo off the cliff, because I don’t know him and he’s about twice my age. Plus, I’d never kill off Josh or Amir. Obviously, I’d want to snog Josh. But that means I have to marry Amir… maybe that’s OK though – a purely platonic marriage where we see other people.’

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