“Nothing, from the sweat on his forehead after you shook his hand, I don’t think he’s ever going to wash it again.” She scoffed a laugh and nudged me softly.
“Oh don’t be ridiculous!” I shook my head and placed my water to my lips.
“I’m not, I’m being serious. I think you just made him flustered, you're a beautiful woman Avaya.” She didn’t look convinced by my compliment.
“So are you gonna tell me the lowdown with you and Rava?” She glanced up towards me and I exhaled before I instinctively ran my hand across my forehead.
“I’ve told you he’s my business partner.” She raised her brow at me and I smirked.
“Then why does he hate you and why did he make my skin crawl?” Her green eyes are breathtaking and I struggled to lie to her. I couldn’t tell her the real reason why.
“We’ve never seen eye to eye,” That was the truth. Sort of “maybe he made your skin crawl because you have eyes for somebody else?” I placed my pint glass against my lips and smirked at her doll-like expression. Her eyes lowered to her wine glass and I softened instantly.
“Maybe,” her voice trailed off and I reached to grab her hand in mine. She looked towards me and smiled a little. Her perfect heart shaped lips looked better when they were pulled up at the sides. I ran my thumb over the back of her hand and watched as Luis made his way back over. He was a little flushed in the face as he looked at our hands on the tabletop.
“Ready to order?” He pulled his pen and pad from his back pocket and looked towards me, Av released my hand and pointed at the menu.
“I want that burger, garlic bread? And maybe some battered mushrooms?” She moved her hair behind her ears as she beamed towards me and I smiled softly. He wrote everything down in a rush and I smiled before I opened my mouth to speak. “Oh could I have a top up of lemonade please?” She tapped the top of her glass and I chuckled to myself. Luis smiled as he nodded.
“And for you?” I glanced down at the menu and pointed towards the steak he nodded. “Anything else?” I tapped my pint glass and I felt her nudge me underneath the table. Her brow furrowed.
“You’re driving?” She looked so angry, I smirked up at Luis who was grinning.
“I like you.” He pointed at her and she chuckled.
“I’ll have a coke then please.” I rolled my eyes and watched as she smiled at me. Her face was full of blood and I watched as she slid off her jacket. I was hoping that she’d start the conversation but she didn’t, she simply reached for her phone and I leant back watching her. She tapped away furiously, she had a small wrinkle between her eyes and a line across her nose when she frowned. It was endearing.
“You seem annoyed?” I muttered in her direction, she looked up from her phone and shook her head.
“It’s my friend, she was supposed to be coming down months ago but she’s pushed it back to December.” She almost looked sad.
“Where is she from? Maybe I could take you up to see her instead?” The words ran out of my mouth quicker than I could register what I was saying.
“She lives in Manchester, she’s at uni but she said she’s been taking a little break? She said she’s been offered a job this way by a friend that she can’t deny but she won’t be ready to move back until December.” There is an uncertainty in her expression.
“That’s great isn’t it?” I watched as her shoulders tensed.
“She doesn’t have any other friends down here? I’d know them?” She was worried and it was written across her face. She looked paler than usual. Luis placed our food on the table and I watched as she smiled at him. His eyes sparkled as she smiled.
“Maybe she’s met them online or something?” I stabbed my fork into a mushroom and watched as her mouth dropped slightly.
“They are mine Haz.” She placed a fork in one and placed it in her mouth. I smirked and shrugged.
“They looked nice?” She smirked and shook her head.
“I’m just worried about her that’s all.” I nodded.
“She’s a big girl? She can make her own choices?” I examined her eating her garlic bread next and watched as she leant backwards slightly.
“Big girls make mistakes too you know.” Her eyes lowered. Ouch! Is she making reference to me being a mistake!? I inhaled deeply and looked towards my steak.
“That hurt my feelings Miss Holt.” I looked back towards her and watched her face twist.
“I didn’t mean you,” she opened and closed her mouth as though she was trying to search for the right words and I smiled at her.
“I’m joking Avaya.” She closed her mouth for good now, well until she’d polished off her food.
I wasn’t stuffed but I guessed she was. She had turned down desert and was sititng slightly more relaxed. Her eyes ran over my face and I smiled softly. She was so naturally beautiful it took my breath away. I watched the way her hair fell behind her shoulder and she sipped on her third glass of water.
“You ready to leave?” I questioned.
“Don’t we have to pay?” She went to pull her purse out.
“Don’t worry about the bill it’s been sorted.” I paid that when I told her I needed to take a visit to the little boys room. I watched her flush and smiled as I placed my hand out for her to grab.
“Thank you for dinner.” She placed a warm kiss against my cheek and it tingled against my skin. I squeezed her fingers in mine softly and felt her move to beside me. She was still holding my hand. Hers seemed so tiny in mine. “So where too?” She questioned as I held the door of the restaurant open for her. The
