Page 27 of It Started with a Kiss
I rolled my eyes. ‘Seriously, you’re an arse.’
He simply continued to laugh.
16
Star
‘Twinkle, you’re going to wear a bloody trench in the floor at this rate.’ Alec’s voice dragged me back to earth from whatever fantasy world my mind had been briefly trapped in. I glanced over to where he sat on the couch with his glasses perched on the end of his nose, newspaper in hand.
‘Are you sure you don’t mind me abandoning you tonight?’
He shrugged. ‘Didn’t really want Chinese food anyway. Might go for a pizza at Marco’s ristorante and drool over that Italian waiter instead. Now will you bloody sit down? You’re making me dizzy.’
I sat as instructed. ‘Do I look okay? I mean... he’s usually so well dressed in his designer suits and... well, I’m more shabby than chic.’
He peered at me over the top of the broadsheet. ‘Oh please. You look bloody gorgeous. Sex on a stick.’
I shook my head. ‘Need I remind you that you’re gay?’
He placed down his reading material and waved a dismissive hand. ‘Well, if I was straight, I’d pounce on you.’
I let out an exasperated sigh/growl. ‘Alec! I don’t want to bepounced upon,as you so delightfully put it. I just want to... I want to begood enough.’
Uh-oh.
His brow crumpled and he took his glasses off. ‘Whatdid you say, Star?’ The look of incredulity told me I was in for a lecture. ‘I don’teverwant to hear you say you’re not good enough for someone. Do you hear me, lady? You’re intelligent, kind and bloody gorgeous, and if he doesn’t think so then maybehe’sgay. And if that turns out to be the case, pass him my number, okay?’ He winked.
I couldn’t help but laugh at his blatant attempt to steal my not-quite-boyfriend. Unable to settle, I stood and walked to my room once again. Standing before my full-length mirror, I examined my outfit. I had chosen a fitted tartan pencil skirt, with a black fitted shirt. My biker boots finished off the look and I had let my hair fall in natural pink and blonde waves round my shoulders. I was going for smart/casual, but with my individual personality slipped in for my own l comfort. The shirt was tight fitting and I wondered if it was too provocative. I was on the verge of changing when Alec appeared at my door.
‘I’m heading out, babe. Will you be okay when Prince Charming arrives if you’re alone?’ My heart jumped so hard it almost escaped my throat and splattered on the carpet.
‘Oh magooooosh.’ I waved my hands like they were on fire. ‘It’s a date, Alec. An official date. Shiiit.’
‘Breathe, darling’. You’ll be absolutely fine. And one of these days I want to meet him and make surehe’sgood enough foryou,not the other way around.’
Alec kissed my cheek and then disappeared, and I heard the door close as he left. My heart pounded in my chest and the butterflies were learning aStomproutine in my stomach. Fin had been on my mind so much that I was beginning to get scared. I hadn’t felt this way in...forever. And yes, I know the early part of a relationship is usually about passion and excitement, but what if I wanted more? And what if I was setting myself up for a fall with someone who was so different to me? How would I cope if it all went horribly wrong, considering the way he was already taking over my every waking thought? I inwardly chastised myself for over-thinking, as usual, and checked my appearance one last time.
Even though I was expecting it, the loud knocking that followed almost caused me to jump out of my skin. With shaking, clammy hands and jelly legs, I made my way to the door, inhaled a deep, calming breath, and opened it. Fin stood there in dark jeans, white T-shirt, and a black leather jacket. I trailed my gaze down the full length of his body and back up again, swallowing hard when our eyes met.
He smiled warmly. ‘Wow, you look stunning.’
I touched my hair like women in the movies do when given a compliment, and immediately felt stupid. ‘I... I was going to say the same about you.’
He pulled his bottom lip in at one side and tilted his lips up further. ‘Shall we? It’s a nice evening so I thought we could walk.’
I began to relax. ‘Sure. Sounds good.’
We left my apartment block and began the walk into the city centre. I could see Fin glancing at me in my peripheral vision and it made my stomach flutter. His phone pinged in his pocket and he took it out, glanced at the screen and gave a light laugh before putting it away again.
I must have had a questioning look on my face as he said, ‘Baby spam. My brother just sent the latest photo of his daughter dressed in a bumble bee outfit. Poor kid.’ He laughed again.
‘Do you see them often?’
He puffed out through inflated cheeks. ‘Not as often as I’d like. They live outside the city and my brother is a GP with his own practice. He’s always complaining there aren’t enough hours in a day. I used to feel the same before I was between jobs.’
I detected a slight dip in mood and tried to lighten it. ‘You’ll be glad to know I left my camera at home for a change. No Fin spam this evening.’ I nudged him.
He smiled then opened and closed his mouth a few times before finally speaking. ‘On that subject… I have something to ask you.’
