Page 166 of Pure Recklessness

Instead, we talked about other films on my list he recommended prioritising.

Then he’d told me about Madrid and how happy he was that his last meeting finished early, because he got to sit outside a café in the main square, relax in the sunshine and people watch, which was a rare luxury for him.

After that, we’d got onto the subject of travelling and I told him that I’d never been abroad.

Whenever people heard that they thought I was crazy, but Blake took my hand in his and gave me the reassuring squeeze I’d grown to love. His hands were so big and comforting.

‘Now you have more freedom, would you like to travel?’ Blake took a sip of the expensive red wine he’d ordered, which along with everything else was divine.

‘Definitely!’ I replied. ‘I haven’t flown before, so I should probably start with a short flight, somewhere like France or Spain. After that, I’d love to travel further.’

Excitement flooded my belly.

The more I was in London and the more time I spent with Blake, the more I realised how much I’d missed out on.

It felt amazing to be finally living rather than just existing.

‘Good plan,’ Blake said.

A waiter approached us with the dessert menu and once he’d taken our orders, Blake and I continued chatting.

After we’d finished, Blake paid then went to the toilet.

Instead of hanging around the private room, I decided to do a bit of people watching myself and stepped out into the main restaurant. Every table was taken and the sound of soft music and chatter filled the air.

I saw Geoff parked outside, so went to head out to the car.

But just as I was a few steps away from the door, someone called my name.

‘Ellie?’

I spun around and saw Calista from the office.

Shit, shit, shit!

I instantly looked behind me. Thankfully, Blake wasn’t there.

I quickly plastered on a smile and went over.

‘Hi! What a surprise!’ I said.

‘Yes!’ Calista raised a suspicious brow. ‘I didn’t expect to see you here! It normally takes months to get a table. Who did you come with?’

‘A, um, friend,’ I said, my brain whirring.

‘Oh? Where is he?’

‘She,’ I said ‘It’s a she. We were just… celebrating.’

I was so rubbish at lying.

Which was clear when Calista narrowed her eyes, suggesting she didn’t believe me.

‘Look who’s here too!’ Calista’s eyes widened as she glanced behind me.

The air shifted and a familiar scent flooded my senses.

I didn’t even need to turn around to see who it was.