Page 93 of Kiss Me Like You Mean It

‘A giant box of extra-large condoms, a bag of kale, a copy of the Financial Times and an energy drink,’ I list, ticking each one off on my fingers and remembering the wild look in Nico’s eyes as we’d watched the items sail along the conveyor belt in front of Charles’s startled face.

All three of them burst out laughing.

‘It certainly tells a story,’ Mei grins.

I groan again, and Tara pulls me in for a reassuring sideways hug.

‘But aside from the town’s schemes, we haven’t been alone together for days,’ I carry on mournfully. ‘If Phoebe isn’t there, then his mum is around, or Magda, or Charles. I can’t tell if he’s avoiding me or not.’

‘It sounds to me,’ Tara says, ‘like Nico might be waiting for you to make a move.’

‘What do you mean?’ I ask, exasperated. ‘I kissed him! I kissed him right on the mouth! Twice!’

‘Okayyy.’ Mei tilts her head. ‘But have you considered that men are…’ she casts around for the right words. ‘Useless?’ she settles on finally. ‘Devoid of emotional intelligence? Uneducated in the language of subtlety?’

‘I think what Mei is trying to say is that Nico might have thought the whole kissing thing really was just part of the act,’ Kat says more diplomatically.

‘How much more obvious can I be!’ I exclaim. ‘It’s humiliating at this point.’

‘Again,’ Mei gestures widely with her drink in her hand, ‘Men. Simple. Have you actually said, “Nico, I want to get in your pants?” ’

‘Not out loud,’ I say, horrified by the very idea. ‘But there have been signs. Clear signs. He must not be interested.’

All three of them start laughing again.

‘Girl,’ Kat shakes her head, ‘Nico is so into you that he might as well be walking around wearing a T-shirt with your face on it.’

I try to suppress the flutter of excitement I feel. ‘But he’s supposed to be acting like that, remember? He’s supposed to be my husband.’

‘The Roseport Players made him audition for Shakespeare in the Park this past summer,’ Mei grimaces. ‘Trust me, the man isn’t that good an actor.’

‘Did they really?’ I ask, temporarily diverted.

‘Mei has a video on her phone,’ Kat grins evilly. ‘It’s painful to watch. Let’s just say Nico doesn’t have the skill to pull off the role of “Lee’s husband” the way he has been.’

‘Luke thinks he’s a mess over you,’ Tara puts in, slurping her cocktail – which is apparently called a pink squirrel – through her straw.

‘Nico mentioned something to Luke?’

‘Definitely,’ Tara nods. ‘I haven’t been able to get the whole story… apparently the men have their own sacred covenant, but from what he’s let slip it’s obvious Nico’s all tied in knots. I think if you want anything to happen then you’re going to have to take charge of the situation.’

‘Tell him how you feel,’ Kat begs.

‘Then grab him and stick your tongue down his throat,’ Tara advises.

‘And he’ll probably get the message,’ Mei weighs in, before narrowing her eyes. ‘Although I wouldn’t count on it.’

I take another long sip of my pink squirrel. I have no idea what’s in it; it tastes like a dessert, sweet and innocent. I know it’s not too strong because we all agreed that getting drunk on a school night was unwise. Darlene suggested these were the perfect solution, just enough for a happy buzz, and I trust her bartending judgement. Plus, they feel festive.

‘Maybe,’ I say finally. ‘But that’s enough about me and Nico for a minute. Can we talk about Tara and Luke?’

‘Yesssss!’ Mei slams her hand down on the table.

‘I’m conflicted about this one but in the spirit of girls’ night, I’ll allow it,’ Kat points a finger at Tara, ‘but no grisly details.’

‘I want all the grisly details,’ Mei and I say at the same time.

Tara smiles a wide, Cheshire cat grin. ‘Ladies, let me tell you, that man has the best hands…’