Page 212 of Falling for You
‘For a cup of tea?’ I tease.
Nate grimaces. ‘Not unless you really, really want one.’
I laugh as we walk through the barrier and onto the streets of London. It’s like the snow from yesterday never existed; the streets are back to being grey, glistening slightly under the rain. People are hurrying along with their shoulders hunched, their elbows tucked in and their eyes firmly fixed ahead.
‘This way,’ Nate says, steering me round a corner. ‘I thought we could – ah!’
I flinch as a car skirts past us, drenching Nate from head to toe in wet grey sludge. He yelps, jumping back as his trousers cling to his legs. ‘Oh my God!’ I gasp. ‘Are you all right?’
He looks down at himself. ‘I’m fine. I … are you laughing?’
I can’t help it, the giggles bubble up inside me and before I can stop myself, I’m doubled over, trying to hide my face. I don’t know what it is, but I can’t stop laughing when I’m with him. It’s like he just fills me with this happy, excited energy.
‘You are laughing!’ he cries. ‘After I justsavedyou.’
‘I’m sorry …’ I manage between laughs. ‘I just …’
He rolls his eyes, putting a heavy arm over my shoulders and steering me along the pavement.
‘Heartless …’ he says, giving me a shake. ‘Totally heartless.’
We stop outside a chipped blue door, hidden between two buildings. I notice that a fabric shop I love is on the other side of the street. I’m about to comment when Nate pushes the door open.
‘After you,’ he says, bowing deeply like we’ve walked straight out ofGame of Thrones. I laugh, skipping past him and into the dank hallway. ‘Right,’ he says as we reach the third floor, ‘I think I’m going to need to get straight in theshower.’ He gives the door to the flat a kick and it pops open. ‘Make yourself at home.’ He gestures to the living room. ‘I don’t have any tea, I’m afraid,’ he says. ‘But I’ll make you a coffee if you like.’
I wave him away. ‘I’m fine,’ I say. ‘Go have your shower. I’ll be here.’
I give him a look over my shoulder and he grins at me. ‘I’ll be two minutes.’
I take a look at the flat. It’s got the grey, lifeless walls that all rented flats seem to have, but they’re covered in bright pictures and swathes of fabric, and the room is full of plants. They have a bookcase, with a few books stacked on top of each other and a …
My heart stops as my eyes land on the electric-pink piece of clothing, hooked over the arm of a chair.
A bra.
I step towards it, and as I do I notice some tights hanging next to it. Lipstick on the table.
I pick the bra up.
Why is there a bra here? Whose is it? Nate just told me that there wasn’t anyone else. I asked him. He said …
He was lying.
My mind races as everything clunks into place.
This is why he didn’t message me. He was with someone else. Other girls have been here, with Nate. Like I waswith Natelast night. Kissing, touching, dragging each other’s clothes off … He made me feel so special but I’m not, am I? It was all just words to him. Of course I’m nobody special to him, we’ve only met three times for God’s sake. I’m just another girl.
Another, stupid girl.
I’m frozen to the spot, when my eyes land on a note on the table.
I’ll be out all weekend. Sorry I was a dick. Call Jane, she’ll cheer you up!
Jane …
I hear the shower click off, and before I can give myself a moment to think, I grab my bag and run towards the door. I can’t be here when he gets out, standing stupidly in his living room all bright-eyed and excited for our day together. He’ll laugh off the bra, telling me it was just some girl and it didn’t matter because we were just dating, right? It was no big deal, right? And I’ll have to stand opposite him and let the realisation wash over me that I still haven’t learnt my lesson. Guys aren’t serious about me. Not when there is someone better waiting round the corner.
How could I be so stupid as to fall for all this again? When will I learn? What is wrong with me?
