Free Just Human by Kerry Heavens Page B

really want to see what you’ve achieved…” He still looks uncertain, why? “…I just feel like I should take you out and treat you, it feels wrong.”
    Ego! Of course! “Don’t be ridiculous, we can eat here. I’ll give you a very reasonable rate.”
    He laughs. Recovering his confidence, he moves towards me and kisses me deeply, his fingers in my hair.
    “I’m going to go and get changed, can you give me thirty minutes?” He turns and walks into the bedroom to get dressed.
    “Sure,” I say, rubbing my hair with my towel. I really want to tell him to bring all his things back with him, but I know I’ll sound desperate and a little nuts. I’ll just see what happens.
    He finishes putting on his shoes and leans over to kiss me goodbye.
    “I won’t be long.”
    “At the bottom of the stairs, take the right-hand door. Then you won’t have to do the walk of shame through the diner,” I smirk. “Come back that way too, I’ll buzz you in.”
    He throws me a charming smile and leaves.
    I collapse onto the bed, almost hyperventilating. Gathering my thoughts, I grab my phone and text Max: ‘MEETING!’
    I let the phone drop and seconds later I hear Max bounding the stairs two at a time.
    “Where is he?” he asks as he enters, anxious that he’s intruding.
    “Gone to get changed.”
    “So?”
    I launch into the whole story as fast as I can and he’s dizzy by the end. He hugs me excitedly.
    “So when do I get to meet him?”
    “Tonight, he wants to sample my wares.”
    “Sounds like he already has!”
    I narrow my eyes. “I didn’t call you up here for this, I need your help. What do I wear?” Max smiles as if I’ve answered his prayers.
    Twenty minutes later, I’m wearing a black maxi dress and leopard-print cardigan. My hair is loose and I’m wearing a slightly exaggerated version of my already quite over the top smoky eye make-up. I apply red lipstick and he hands me my red ballet pumps. I’m deliberately not over dressed, this is carefully considered (by Max not me) so as to appear relaxed in his company, but also alluring, without being slutty. I push up my cardigan sleeves slightly as I’m flushed from the stress and I add two or three bangles. I’m ready.
    I shoo Max away, thanking him. I promise we’ll be down soon and he’s gone, leaving me to stress.
    The buzzer goes.
    “Hello?”
    “Hey beautiful,” Danny says smoothly. The sound of his voice sends a jolt through me even though I know it’s going to be him. I take a deep breath and then hold down the door release.
    I stand at the top of the stairs as he comes through the door and I think we each gasp at the sight of the other. Breathe.
    He’s dressed in jeans, a pale blue shirt, and a navy jacket. He looks fresh and gorgeous. I can smell his aftershave already and it leaves me weak. I make my way down to his outstretched hand; he greedily drinks me in as I move. This whole situation is so highly charged. I feel embarrassed about taking it out into my diner. I reach the last step and put my hand in his. He kisses it.
    “You look fabulous.”
    “Why thank you, so do you.”
    We stand for a moment staring at each other. Then I realise that we’re going to eat and I’m really not hungry. I don’t think I can sit and eat a meal right now.
    “Can I give you the tour?”
    He smiles widely. “Yes please.” He turns and holds open the door for me.
    We slide into the back of the diner. I pause, nervously. He slips his hand in mine and I feel myself relax.
    I take him into the kitchen first, because it is closest. He shakes hands with Jake and the other guys as I introduce him. He chats warmly with Jake about football (the American one, which isn’t football at all), apparently both support the same team. I don’t care. I watch him because it’s the most I’ve heard him say in twelve years. I feel inadequate because we haven’t spoken at length about anything yet, but I snap out of it as their conversation drifts to