Page 14 of Avoiding Temptation
“So what’s the plan then?”
“Oh god, you’re one of those, aren’t you?”
“One of those?” My brows draw together as I wait for him to explain.
“Control freak. I’ve got a couple of friends like you.”
“Guilty.”
“Well, switch it off. Tonight, you follow my lead and do as you’re told.”
“Okay, lead the way.”
He takes us back to the tube, thankfully, remembering the slow pace I need with these damn shoes on. I guess I could take them off now I won the bet and he had to pay for dinner, but I quite like them. They give me confidence that I'm not used to by standing a little taller, and that’s something I need seeing as I’m walking around practically topless.
He takes me to a comedy club on the outskirts of Camden Town and, unlike Eddie, when he goes to the bar he orders us two pints.
I know it’s not really anything in the grand scheme of things, but sitting there drinking a pint when a lady doing such a thing was so frowned upon where I came from, I feel like I can take on the world.
“What are you smiling at?” Joe asks when there’s a break in comedians.
“Nothing. Everything.”
“Okay. Care to explain?”
Shaking my head, I take another sip of my beer. “I just really needed this.”
“Yeah, me too.” He lifts his drink and takes a sip. He winks at me over the rim, telling me that he knows he’s giving me an out from having to explain anything.
I’ve opened up more to him than I have anyone ever—and that’s saying something, because he doesn’t really know anything. Eddie knows the most about my life, but that’s only because he experienced some of it first hand, one thing I never forget every time he looks at me.
The next comedian up on stage is a woman, and after only two minutes I’ve got tears streaming down my face. She’s by far the funniest person I’ve ever heard, and the more I laugh the more I forget about the skeletons in my closet and just enjoy my new life.
“You’re beautiful when you smile,” Joe says, leaning over and whispering in my ear.
I’d felt him staring at me as I laughed at her dry, witty jokes, but I wasn’t able to pull my eyes away.
“Even with the tears?”
“Even with them, babe.”
“Uh…” Warmth spreads through my body, desire that I’d managed to dampen down erupting as I turn and take in his soft eyes and smile.
“Ready to move on?”
Hand in hand, we walk towards the centre of Camden Town. Joe drags me into the first place that has music pounding out of the doors.
“Drink?” he asks, although I can barely hear him over the live music coming from the stage at the other end of the bar.
“Um…” I grab the menu, but it’s plucked from my hand.
“I’ll choose. Go grab that seat.” Unlike when Eddie ordered for me, frustration doesn't bubble up within me. Weirdly, I trust Joe to get something I’m going to like, not just something he thinks will impress me.
I hover as the couple vacating the table leave, grateful not to have to stand up in these shoes for much longer.
“What’s this?” I take a sip of the drink.
“Slippery nipple.”
