Happy Hour (A Romantic Comedy)

Chapter 13

So Chris O'Brien is still as inscrutable and hard to read as he was 15 years ago. 

It's 2am and I've been trying to sleep for over an hour now, but my mind won't stop racing. I keep replaying Chris appearing in the pub out of the blue like that, and wishing I'd said or did things differently.

One thing is for sure though; I can't hide from him anymore. 

I think back to the day he walked into his bedroom and closed the door after that brief kiss. I remember standing there with my hand touching my lips, wondering what the hell had just happened. Now he wasn't sharing the hall space with me, I was doubting my sanity, my memory. Had that even happened?

Yet my body's reaction told me it very much had.

Tonight's interaction was the most we had ever communicated. I couldn't deny, despite the tension I'd felt, that I'd really enjoyed having his undivided attention for those few minutes. The way he looked at me at times - like he knew me, properly knew me - made me feel slightly uncomfortable but also caused my insides to melt.

I'm simultaneously dreading, and yearning, to see him again and I'm very aware that my crush is rearing up again. It must have been waiting, dormant but expectant, to resurrect itself all this time. 

I sigh heavily and turn over in bed, trying to find a more comfortable position to help me fall asleep. I know even if I do sleep it's going to be a restless one though. 

I manage a couple of hours before I force myself up a bit earlier than usual, determined to look slightly more put together today. Decently applied make-up, blow dried hair and - of course - contacts. I don't want to overdo things though so I still opt for jeans and trainers, but I team this with a silky mint-green blouse rather than a jumper this time. 

I check myself in the mirror and nod - I'll do. Paige is still in bed so I leave her a note asking her to drop by the gift shop if she has time, and actually get there earlier than usual. 

I realise at one point during the day that I'm actually vibrating and I'm not sure if it's nerves, excitement or a combination of both. Whatever it is, it's making me feel more . . . alive than I've felt in a long time. I don't know if I like it though. 

Paige breezes in about half past eleven, sipping a coffee, and hands me a bottle of juice and a cheese scone from a nearby coffee shop. "I wasn't sure if you would have time to get out for lunch so thought this might tide you over," she grins. She's really too good to me.

A customer comes over to pay for a couple of items and Paige steps to one side. "I'll have a browse," she decides, wandering off. "It's been a while since I treated myself to anything."

Returning a few minutes later with a handful of colourful stationery and a cocktail book, I ring up the purchases and bag them for her. "So spill," she says excitedly. "You obviously have some big news right?"

I tell her what happened last night and her blue eyes turn into saucers. "You are kidding me!" She exclaims. "You're going to have to work with him?"

"Yep." I nod, breaking a piece of my scone and offering it to her. She shoves it in her mouth. "I hadn't even realised we were taking any new staff on either. It's just so out of the blue."

"You know I'm going to have to come in and get a proper look at him, right? See the guy who has rocked your world since you were a teen?" Paige smiles excitedly. 

"Okay but please not tonight!" I beg. "I need all my wits about me."

"I'll resist tonight," she promises. "So how are you going to play this?"

"I'll be friendly to a point, but aloof," I decide. I can't let him get under my skin more than I already have, and I'm determined about that. 

Game on.