“I’ll be right back.”
I go to place the check on the counter, then decide to turn back and sit with them for a few minutes.
“Are you going anywhere nice tonight to celebrate?”
“Ian and Jamie – my brother – have decided that we have to celebrate big-time this year. So they’re taking me to the Club.”
“The Club?” I ask, curious.
“Yeah, the team’s clubhouse. I know it doesn’t sound like the best place, but they insisted and they’ve organised a private event there.”
“You’ll be the queen of the party.”
“Yeah…” she sighs. “I don’t really feel comfortable being the centre of attention, but I guess I can put up with it just this once.”
“I’m sure you’ll have fun.”
“You should come along, too!”
“M-me?” I ask, panicking.
“Sure, I’d love you to be there.”
“But I don’t think I should…”
“Why not?” Karen interjects.
“I don’t really have many friends, apart from my colleagues, so it would be really nice to have you with us,” Riley presses.
“No, it’s not…”
“Come on, it’ll be fun!”
“It’s just – I won’t know anyone…”
“You know me, the birthday girl. And you know Ian and his brothers, right?”
His brothers.Yep.
“You never know, you might meet someone…” she looks at me, eyes twinkling. “Unless you’re already seeing someone?”
Seeing someone,me? She must be kidding.
“Come on, I’ll give you the address. It’s just outside town, but there’s no traffic in the evening so it won’t take you long to get there.”
“I’m not promising anything…” I say, because I have absolutely no intention of going – but it seems harsh to say this to her.
I lend her a pen and my pad, and she writes the address down on it, handing it back to me.
“I’m counting on you,” she says hopefully, and I can already feel myself giving in.
It’s not every day that I’m invited somewhere, and even thoughhe’llbe there, I don’t want to hold myself back. I’m not the sort of person who hides away – I have no reason to. Besides, I’m not scared of seeing him or being close to him. I have to show him that he has no effect on me – none at all – and that last night wasn’t a big deal, even though I can already feel my stomach churning and my heart beating a little too fast.
