The Great Dane

Chapter 7

"Hello stranger." Aanya greets Markus, who's already seated in the restaurant. He stands up, impressing her with his now-filled out frame, and they hug.

"Madame MP." Markus smiles.

"Not yet. Probably not for a while. Duncan is a stubborn old man, in every way."

Aanya has relaxed her outfit from earlier. A few buttons on her blouse are undone and she'd let her hair down; still all business, just another kind.

"So, ten years is it?"

"Something like that. When did we get all grown up?" Aanya replies. Markus thinks about Dolberg and reckons that when Meg passed he may have started going backwards.

"Well, you're certainly a proper grown-up now. Rock chick to political animal."

"Still a bit of rock 'n roll in me. Wanting to shake things up."

"So I've heard. Must be full on now."

"Yeah, this is the final stretch. Hoping our great leader doesn't say anything stupid really." Aanya begins to relax into their dinner. She didn't know why but he'd always disarmed her. A waiter comes and takes their order, which includes a bottle of wine.

"So, ten years Markus. Go on!"

"Christ, where do I start. Nice house, dog. Became a journo, quit being a journo. Married Meg and well..." Bringing up Meg's death always made the other details of his life seem a bit flippant.

"I heard. I'm sorry."

Markus half smiles, half grimaces, shrugging as if to say What are you going to do?

"Fifteen months on. Trying to rebuild and kick on."

"Dating yet?" Aanya asks, her cheeky smile making the question warm rather than insensitive.

"Not been asked.. yet." Markus offers, his answer surprising himself. They were slipping right back into where they left off. He hadn't expected that, hadn't known he was ready.

"I can't believe that. Successful guy, beautiful house, kinda funny, if you like a dad joke, and then..." Aanya points and outlines the Scandinavian mountain.

"You'll make me blush." Markus grins. "Don't know really. I guess I just haven't really been putting myself out there. Not that I've deliberately not been doing it, if that makes sense."

It makes total sense. This could be fun.

The conversation flows and Aanya finds her mind wandering from business, her objective in seeing Markus suddenly less important than the simple pleasure of his company. When he excuses himself to use the bathroom, she checks her makeup. Seeing her reflection checks her back to purpose.

Shit, I like him. He's hotter. Fuck. Look Patel, you want him to do something for you. Stay on point.

As he returns to the table, she sees a gorgeous man still cloaked in sadness. He was physically there and engaging with her, but something had shifted. He was holding back.

After dinner, Aanya ramps up the flirting. It was hackneyed, but flattery really was the easiest way to seduce a man. She traces her fingers slowly along the rim of her glass and locks her big brown eyes on him, hanging more obviously on his words than she would normally. She treats him to her full symphony of smiles, some wide and open, others more subtle and private, suggesting hidden messages for him to draw out. She's loving this whole game they've picked up again. It was tantric date training.

"So, what is your view on Brexit?" Markus throws in catching her off guard. "You weren't sure earlier, or at least didn't want to share."

He was there. He's testing me, doesn't trust me. That's why he's hiding.