Page 38 of Touch in the Dark

“Oh, shit,” Joel laughs then turns back to me. I’m at a loss for words.

He is a good kisser and I’m sure if I got off this stool now, I’d stumble.

“Plus, we have to be on set at six AM,” Jamie points out looking at his watch. I happen to glance at it and see its after two AM.

“Oh no, I didn’t realise how late it is,” I say grabbing my purse.

“You’re going home?” Joel asks.

I bite my lip and half nod. I’m not ready to go there. I know he is crashing at his friends place so we can’t go back there, and I’m hesitant about taking anyone back to Remi’s. Besides, this is the first time we’ve actually gone out, and only shared one kiss. Even if it was toe curling. Joel looks disappointed but he smiles, hops up and helps me off my stool.

“Will your driver come?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t call him this late. I’ll just catch a cab.”

Jamie is scratching his cheek and looking away, like he realises he interrupted something. I wish him goodnight and Joel sees me out. He waits until I get a cab. I offer to share but he’s going in a different direction to me. He’s read my hesitancy and is respecting it and that makes me happy.

“I really want us to go out again, just the two of us,” he tells me. “But I should tell you, I’m definitely leaving. The shoot in Florida starts on Monday.”

I can’t help the disappointment that crosses my face. He smiles ruefully. “You’re sweet, gorgeous, and I really wish we’d met when I was here longer.”

“Me too,” I tell him.

“We still have a week. Do you still want to get together?”

I gulp. God why can’t I just say yes. My body wants it, but my head is telling me no. I need a damn pep talk. Seriously. What is wrong with me? “Yes,” I tell him. “I do.”

“We’ll make it work,” he tells me. Then he leans in and kisses me again. We press back against the cab and it’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him to get in with me, but Jamie shouts his name. “Fuck he is such a cock block,” he groans, glancing over his shoulder at his cousin.

“What’s that about?” I laugh.

“He just split up with his long-term girl. He’s depressed. He doesn’t like to see anyone else happy.”

“Oh no, you should have said.”

“He’s a dipshit,” he laughs. “But I guess he needs me. If only to stop him calling her. She’s a psycho.” I frown at that. “Trust me if I told you some of the shit she’s pulled. I’ll see you on set, we’ll arrange something, yeah?”

I nod. He gives me another quick peck as the taxi driver gets in on the action and tells me to get in or let him go. Joel scowls at him too but he lets me go and I get into the cab. He watches me as we pull away then heads to his cousin. As shit as it is, it’s really sweet that he is being there for him.

He really is a good guy.

Reggie is still up when I get home which surprises me, given it’s nearly three AM.

“Tell me you hooked up with Joel,” she says.

“You’re as bad as the rest of the girls,” I say, dropping down on the sofa beside her and taking some of the popcorn she is eating. “Why are you still up?”

“Couldn’t sleep. This place is so big, it makes me nervous.”

“Why didn’t you say something? You could have come out with us.”

“I didn’t want to get in the way in case anything happened,” she shifts and turns to face me. “Why didn’t anything happen?”

“Things just keep getting in the way,” I sigh. Not least my brain. “Anyway, we should get to bed, do you feel better now I’m here?”

She nods and yawns. I laugh and we both head downstairs to our bedrooms. My phone rings after I’ve changed into my pyjamas about to get into bed. My heart skips, thinking it’s Joel, but when I glance at the screen, I see Remi’s name. What on earth?

“Hey,” I answer. “You do realise its three in the morning in New York?”

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