Page 17 of The Twelve Dates of Christmas
“I stayed at Josie’s last night,” said Kate, and yawned.
The coffee machine began to make noises like it was ready to start work, and Kate took up her perch at the counter.
“So, did you hear any more from the weeping vegan?” Matt asked as he heaped froth into Kate’s takeaway cappuccino.
Kate narrowed her eyes; Laura must have told him. She made a mental note to poke her finger in Laura’s cake before she gave it to her tomorrow.
“Not yet,” said Kate. “But I’m sure I’ll get an invite to their wedding.”
“Only you could go on a date and end up fixing him up with his ex,” said Matt.
“Shut up and give me my coffee,” said Kate.
Matt handed over the cup.
“Never mind, it’s number three tonight, isn’t it?” said Matt. “You know what they say: third time’s a charm!”
“Let’s hope so,” said Kate. “Or I’ll be asking for a refund.”
“You can’t have expected them all to be Mr. Right,” said Matt.
“I’d settle for Mr. Turns Up and Doesn’t Cry.”
“It’s only a matter of time,” said Matt. “You’re an intelligent, talented—”
“Don’t patronize me,” said Kate.
“Slightly-better-than-average-looking woman,” Matt finished.
“Slightly better than average,” said Kate. “Cheers!”
“You told me not to patronize you,” said Matt, holding his hands up.
“Yeah, butslightly better than average?”
“All right, then,” said Matt. “You are beautiful, Kate, and these men should be dropping at your feet.”
“Now you’re just being stupid,” said Kate.
“I give up,” said Matt. “You know what your problem is?”
“Oh, do tell,” said Kate. “I would love foryouto tellmewhat my problems are!”
“You’re spiky,” said Matt.
“Spiky?” repeated Kate.
“Yes,” he said. “You prickle when someone tries to pay you a compliment, but you equally prickle when someone understates your worth. Spiky.”
“Perhaps it’s only you who makes me spiky,” said Kate.
Matt laughed. “Perhaps it is.”
Kate riffled through her bag looking for gloves.
“Don’t worry about paying,” said Matt. “It’s on the house.”
“I wasn’t going to pay anyway,” said Kate. She pulled on her gloves and swept out of the café as gracefully as one can wearing a multicolored bobble hat over the top of skanky bed hair.
