Page 67 of Ignite

“Yourmess, and I am most definitely getting paid for the fixing.” Stacey walked to the door. “And you can shout dinner as a thank you for fixing your mess.”

“Done.”

“I’m just messing with you.” She shook her head. “I’ll buy my own dinner. It’s okay.”

“No, I insist. Because this mess is not okay and it’s the least I can do.”

She shifted on her feet, considering my offer. “Okay. Thank you.”

I continued to grin long after she’d left my room. I may have royally stuffed up the new system but now I had Stacey alone tonight for at least two hours and she’d agreed to eat a meal with me. Tonight’s outlook had definitely improved.

That deserved an update for the group chat.

Me: I’ve got her all alone for two hours after work tonight.

Instantly, dots appeared as a response was being typed.

Mel: That sounds great. Not serial killer at all.

Me: Ha. we’re fixing up patient files that weren’t saved with new software

Mel: your idea of a date is … different

Steve: you stuffed up the records, didn’t you?

Andy: OMG *face palm emoji*

Me: what is wrong with you lot? It’s perfect! Alone, neutral location (work), takeaway food and conversation.

Me: @steve yeah, I did.

Steve: FFS *eye roll emoji*

Andy: Harry, have you never heard of competence porn?!

Mel: @andy please school him

Me: what are you talking about?

Andy: you stuffed up, caused hours of extra work, you’ve made her stay back to fix it and you think this will make a good impression?

Andy: women want a competent man, not an idiot that makes them stay for overtime to fix his mistakes.

Shit. That cut way too close to the truth. I’d gone from dance-sex god to village idiot in four days.

Steve: it’s a TV thing. we like to watch people solve problems in an impressive way. Like Bear Grylls in the wilderness.

Steve: in short, you don’t see Bear Grylls fucking up, and being a whiny bitch, asking his crush to solve his survival problems.

Andy: Precisely. Demonstrate you’re reliable and competent. That you’re more than a casual shag and not stupid when faced with a computer

Mel: wait… is she staying to fix the records for free?!

Me: No! I am ensuring she’s being paid overtime.

Mel: so you’re paying your date to spend time with you…

Andy: ROFL! *crying face emoji*

---