Phoebe's Performance

Bio Oil

Chapter 30

"Someone's feeling a bit insecure," I tease. I breathe in the cold night air and cast a glance over at Otto who looks devastatingly handsome, not that I'd ever tell him that. We're soon both standing on the street which is still pretty crowded.

"You're both very different, like chalk and cheese."

"So curry? Around here?" He glances towards the green then back to me. "Can I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure," I say without thinking.

"Were you attracted to Dirk?" he asks and I look quickly at him. The question is so unexpected and I'm at a slight loss of how to react. I decide to tell him the truth. Honesty always works.

"Yes, how did you know?"

"I thought I saw the same look once before. Were you...did you...are you attracted to me in the same way?"

I catch my breath and his eyes snare mine. My heart hammers hard in my chest.

I'm light headed after drinking a few beers. "Yes," I nod. "But...you know...nothing has to change...you don't want a relationship...I don't want to push that on you. It wouldn't be fair."

"Hmmm." He shakes his head and his hand deliberately takes mine, his fingers linking through mine. He creates tiny little circles on my palm. His gaze again snares mine and his eyes settle on my lips. He looks at me and then back to my lips. He brushes my hair away from my cheek and I almost stop breathing because every part of my being tells me that he's preparing to kiss me. Finally. A burst of desire takes hold of me and I desperately want to throw myself at him. But I can't he's the guy – he should make the first move and besides he's the one who said he didn't want a relationship so to hell with me making the first move.

But God damn I want to feel his lips on mine. My heart gallops as he leans in but there's a distinct hard pull on my arm.

"Ouch," I yelp as my arm is almost yanked from my socket and I release my handbag as I turn around. A guy in a hoodie races through the crowd. "Hey," I scream and I race after him in my high-heels.

I've just been mugged. While I was staring starry eyed at Otto, I just got mugged. I can not believe it.

My heels hit the pavement and I can still see the back of the black hoodie. What right has that guy got, snatching my handbag especially when Otto was about to kiss me? What are the bloody chances? I'm not sure what I'm mad at more? That our moment has been completely ruined or that my bag has been stolen. But since I'm the type of girl who's used to altercations with her sister I continue powering after the guy with the hoodie.

I'm quite good in a snatching match actually. Although the memory of Otto flipping me on my back comes instantly to mind. And what if the guy pulls a knife on me? But I push the thoughts aside. Although the man in the hoodie turns down an alley and I pursue.

The alley is dark and my eyes adjust to the dim light. I race forward, hearing a clatter at the other end. A rotten smell wafts through my nostrils. I want to gag but I notice the guy in the hoodie clambering over a fence. By the time I reach the fence the guy has completely disappeared and I stop, my chest heaving from the sprint. I feel like I've gone to the gym.

I realise I'm shaking and Otto puts his arm around me. "Are you okay?" His expression is bewildered. I point at the guy sneering at me from the other side of the fence.

"Yeah, yep." I nod my head repeatedly trying to comprehend the event which just took place.

"Let's get out of here."