Page 7 of The Best Book Boyfriend
“What like a puppet?” Granny’s aghast.
“No, not like a puppet, just gesturing a lot. You know, like this...” I move my hands around and do an absolutely shit impression of her.
“Oh right, thank goodness, I thought you meant like one of those creepy folk who speak through a doll or something.”
“No Granny, she’s lovely. We had a great chat about books.”
“Books? Oooh la la, how romantic,” she teases. “Now, what does Rob say about it?”
“I haven’t told him yet. I only met her today. She might not even text me.”
“He will be thrilled, I am sure,” she laughs a hearty cackle.
She knows Rob, my oldest friend, has been keen for me to get myself back out there and meet someone. He’s a man-whore who says he needs a wingman, though he certainly never has any trouble on his own. We’ve known each other since we were kids and I want to tell him, but is there really much to say? All I did was have a chat and give someone my number. Still, it’s a gigantic leap for me.
“Now are ye eating, sleeping, and greetin’?”There we go.
“Yes, Granny.” I pat my stomach. “Plenty of eating, more sleeping now the shop is finally open, and a normal amount of greetin’ I think.”
“Good lad. Here, Janet is on her way round for a gin, so I’ll speak to you next week. Love you sweet pea.”
“Love you Granny. Talk to you soon.”
I’m an idiot. I can’t believe I didn’t ask her name. That’s my fault for blazing into a conversation without thinking about what I’d actually say. No wonder I put my foot in it and insulted her when she started talking about romance books. I’m hardly the picture of success in that department.
I think I pulled it back, though. She was so easy to talk to. I felt swept along listening to her speak, not realising that I’d veered into being a little flirty with her.Was I flirting?I don’t know, maybe I sounded like a twat. All I know is it felt good to sit there with her. And that she’s gorgeous.
I’ve always been a sociable person. I find it easy to get on with most people, although my circle of friends is pretty small these days. Opening Sunshine Coffee has forced me to come out of my shell a bit more. I want our customers to feel at home, see the place as somewhere they can relax, and be met with a friendly face.
The best bit of the job is getting to know all the customers. I’ve enjoyed finding out who’s who around here, and wondering which ones will become regulars. Maybe there might even become someone I could call a friend, have a couple of beers with. It’s the opposite of lonely, and I’ve been pretty bloody lonely for a while now.
Heather was it for me. I was the jammiest bastard in the world to convince her I was the man for her. And on my most miserable days, I have to remind myself that I’m lucky I got the time with her that I did.
I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready to meet someone else. My brain just doesn’t think about that stuff. At least, it didn’t until I saw her sitting by the window today.
The last time Rob came over, we talked about dating. I expected him to give me a kick up the arse and tell me to get back out there, but he was alljust take your timewhich is exactly what I’ve been doing.
Luke:Gave someone my phone number today.
Rob:A woman?
Luke:Yup
Rob:What’s her name?
Luke:Book Lady. For now. Forgot to ask.
Luke:Spoke to her while she was reading and gave her a note with my number
Rob:Nice one
Luke:She hasn’t actually messaged me yet so we’ll see
Rob:Baby steps. Proud of you mate x
I really hope it was OK to give her my number, and that I wasn’t overstepping the mark. The more I think about it, the more worried I am. I don’t know if it was friendly, or romantic, or pushy, or creepy. I don’t even know if she’s single. That probably should have been the first thing I asked. But then again, I can’t exactly approach customers and say‘Hi, are you single?’or there’ll be no customers at all.
‘I look forward to having the time of my life’, I wrote.What was I thinking? Who speaks like that?I feel sick. Man, if this is what it feels like to even consider starting dating, then I’m tapping out. I check my phone again and still no message. I check all night until I fall asleep with my phone in my hand.
