Page 2 of An Unholy Affair
She blinked and dug her short nails into her palms, trying to process that this was actually happening. He was really talking to her.
‘I—’ She swallowed again. ‘I haven’t, erm done—I mean, er…’
He smiled. ‘There’s a first time for everything.’
She nodded, giving up on words altogether.
‘Why don’t we just chat? Get to know each other a bit?’
Yes!She nodded again.
‘Can I get you another drink? What are you having?’
‘Elderflower pressé with soda please.’
Jasper placed his phone and wallet down in front of him and signalled the barman. ‘Elderflower pressé with soda, and whisky on the rocks.’
Eveline closed her eyes tightly and dropped her head.Thank you, God. Thank you.
As their drinks were made, she stretched out her clenched fingers and tried to calm her breathing.
The barman placed their glasses down and Jasper lifted his.
‘What do you think we should drink to?’ he asked.
The moment reminded Eveline of a line fromGroundhog Day, one of her favourite films. It was a quote she lived by every day.
‘I like to say a prayer and drink to world peace.’
His face lit up. ‘Not to the groundhog?’
She tried not to squeal with excitement. ‘You got the reference!’
He nodded and touched the side of his glass to hers.
‘La fille que j’aimerai est comme un vin qui se bonifiera un peu chaque matin,’ he said softly.
Her mouth dropped open. ‘You speak French?’
‘Oui,’ he replied, wiggling his eyebrows.
Joyous laughter bubbled out. ‘I can’t believe it! I’m always quoting that film, but no-one seems to get what I’m talking about.’
Jasper put on an American accent. ‘Am I right, or am I right, or am I right? Right? Right?’
Eveline chinked the side of his glass with hers. ‘I think you’re very right, Jasper.’
His smile faltered.
Embarrassed heat bloomed in her cheeks.Slow down!She cleared her throat. ‘So, what does the French quote translate as? I’ve never looked it up.’
He took a gulp of his whisky. ‘It’s just a line about wine and women. Standard Gallic stuff.’
‘It must be a bit more than that?’
He shrugged, staring at his glass as he swirled the ice cubes around.
‘Please?’
