Page 28 of Falling for You
‘Tell me about it. It’s rained non-stop since I’ve been here. You know, they don’t tell anyone that? Every film about London is all sunshine, no rain at all.’
I give him a knowing look. ‘It’s our best-kept secret.’
He takes a sip of his beer. ‘Well, are there any other secrets I should know?’ His eyes glint at me and I’m surprised to feel my stomach swoop. ‘You can tell me … this love of tea is all an act, right? You don’t all actually love it that much?’
I gasp in mock horror. ‘Blasphemy!’
‘Oh no.’
‘You can’t say that in a room full of Brits, are you crazy?’ I grin at him.
‘You actually like it, then?’
‘Love it.’ I smile. He almost looks disappointed. ‘Hook it to my veins. I have about six cups a day.’
‘Six?’
‘That’s on a good day. If I’m in a bad mood it could be closer to eight.’
He runs his fingers through his hair. ‘Just when I thought you might be perfect.’
I smile into my glass, my heart jumping about my body. We fall into a loaded silence as we both sip our drinks.
‘Can I tell you something?’ he asks.
‘Sure.’
‘This is the nicest conversation I’ve had since moving here.’
It’s mad, but it catches me so off guard that it takes my breath away. He looks so serious, and he’s looking right into my eyes, leaning towards me slightly.
‘Really?’ I manage.
He nods.
Excitement shoots up my body as he leans a bit closer. Oh my God, I think he’s going to kiss me. I want him to kiss me.
‘Until you met a bat?’ I say.
He smiles. ‘Until I met Bat Girl.’
He’s so close to me now that I can feel his breath on my face. I could easily kiss him. But for the moment, we’re just looking into each other’s eyes. The music is blaring aroundus, but I can barely hear it. It’s like we’re the only two people in the room.
‘I think I …’
I pause, waiting for him to finish his sentence, when he stops. He leans back, as if he’s being pulled out of a trance, and reaches for his phone from his pocket. I watch him, my heart dropping as I feel the moment slip through my fingers. Suddenly, his face changes as he looks at the name flashing on the screen.
‘I’m so sorry,’ he says, ‘I’ve got to go.’
‘But …’ I start to reply but he’s already on his feet. He holds his phone to his ear and paces through the crowd towards the door.
I watch him go, my heart chasing after him, until he dips into the night with a phone pressed to his ear.
He’s gone.
I didn’t even get his name.
CHAPTER TWELVE
