I feel my cheeks go hot at this new change in direction, but it doesn’t deter him. He tilts his head.
‘There is no way you don’t notice. You must know that you’re stunning– you’re not stupid.’
His eyelids dip ever so slightly, narrowing in on my face as he patiently awaits my response, but I don’t know what to say. Up until this point, I wasn’t convinced Aiden even recognised I was a woman, let alone one that he might consider pretty.
‘I mean. . . I have my moments? Decent make-up and the right clothes can. . . help, I guess?’
It’s deeply embarrassing talking about myself in this way in general, let alone with Aiden. An Aiden who inadvertently just called me attractive.
‘Good. Because you’d be stupid to think otherwise.’ He slams his glass on the table, caught in his own flow as his words attempt to catch up with his racing mind. ‘Like yourperformance on Saturday? I only saw a video of it and even I thought. . .’
He trails off, his eyes widening. His jaw goes tight, sheer panic smattered across his face as he raises his glass and quickly drains it.
‘Even you thought. . . what?’
‘Unimportant.’ He rushes on. ‘The point is there’s no way in hell you’re devoid of interest. What you lack is the ability to take notice, because you’re blinded by your lists and your seven notebooks.’
I let him drop the first one, but I can’t let another comment like this go.
‘It is important,’ I say. ‘What did you think?’
‘Focus, Maddy!’ He tries to mask his fluster with this new, sterner tone. ‘What I’m saying is you need to branch out some more. That’s the whole point of this bet, isn’t it?’
‘I thought the point was the job?’
‘The end goal is the job, obviously. But you are supposed to stop planning and just let things happen. How’s that going for you?’
It’s a subject change if I ever saw one. Before I can press him further, I feel someone creep up behind me.
‘Aiden!’ Pippa whines his name, shimmying over with a couple of new drinks clearly in her system. ‘We’re dancing!Now, Mister.’
She sways ever so slightly, hands on her hips in what I can only assume is her attempt at being authoritative while still cute. He stares from her to me, a pained expression on his face that I can’t help but stifle a small giggle at.
‘Oh, Maddison, you should come too, if you want,’ she adds half-heartedly as she follows his eyes towards my face.
He’s begging me not to leave him alone with her, and I do, deeply, want to help. But this is the perfect exit and the idea of him squirming is far more delicious than staying would be.
‘I’m actually going to head out!’ I say, sweeping my phone into my bag. ‘But this has been fun!’
I leave the humid pub behind me and welcome the crisp night air as I step into the street. It’s less than five minutes before I feel my phone buzz in my pocket, the message shining bright against the dark street.
Alone with Pippa?! Low, even for you, Maddy. . .
A laugh escapes my lips before I can stop it.
I didn’t plan it, just let it happen! Going with the flow, etc. :)
He opens it instantly, the typing bubble appearing the second I’ve hit send.
Game on. I’ll see you next week.
Something shifts in me as I walk towards the bus stop. A warm tingle in my lower abdomen that has nothing to do with the alcohol.
Nudge 18
The Butterflies
Days until the Summer Splash– 120
