Page 46 of If We Were Young

The room span, fast. “I think I’m going to be sick. I’m going for some air.” I slid off the barstool and walked in the general direction we’d come in… until I hit something hard. “Bollocks.” I rubbed my face. That hurt, the bang had hit a sensitive spot above my right eye.

“Ronnie?” Major chords and rainbows.

“No. Go away, you don’t get to upset me twice in one day.” The solid mass didn’t move. There seemed to be something rubbing along my back. I tried to dodge to the side, but the wall became all-encompassing.

“Are you going to be sick?” More majors.

“No. Maybe.” I nodded slowly. My head not moving at the speed I wanted.

“Come.” His voice was still clipped, but the wall shifted and allowed me to move, strangely pressing against my back. “Is that Fred?” The major chords tightened.

“Mm. Fred.”

The wall pressed harder. It must have been made of cement.

Air rushed against my face, cool and fresh, but my eyesight seemed to dim with it.

“You okay?”

“Yes, sir.”

I started to giggle.

“What’s funny?”

“You’re so moody. Like an army thingy. Yes, sir.” I saluted but then tilted to the side and the wall fastened along my left.

“What are you doing out? Celebrating?”

“Yes. I’m giving the staff a goodbye drink and celebrating getting rid of a complete twat of a client.”

No answer. The wall pushed me, making my feet move one after the other.

“And internet dating. Definitely internet dating. It’s my age, I think… It seems I’ve missed the boat at dock, or something.”

A low grumble rumbled, followed by a beep. “Are you going to be sick?”

“No.” I nodded into the darkness.

“Please don’t get sick in my car.”

I couldn’t promise.

Wait, his car?

I breathed in deep. His car smelled of leather, chewing gum, and fabric softener.

“Ronnie?” His voice lowered, reminding me of something. Reminding me of him. “Open your eyes.”

“I am.”

A cool touch brushed across my cheek. “You aren’t.” Was that a smile I heard lifting his tone?

I cranked an eye open to investigate his lips. God, I’ve wanted to kiss those lips. I nibbled on mine, remembering the one time I got close to my wish.

“You’re here?”

He turned in his seat and I stared open mouthed. The suit had gone and even through my wine fog I could see he wore a black jumper that made his dark hair even more so. On his legs were jeans that fit better than mine ever had. They clung to his skin like a love story. His lips curved, the hint of one of his heart-stopping smiles. “You checked in to the bar on Facebook.”