Olivia
This is a stupid idea.
A totally, utterly stupid idea.
The same words had been cycling through her mind for the entire taxi journey.
In fact, the arguments against the idea had been growing louder and louder inside her head all day.
She didn’t have the time to spare. She was tired.
She needed an early night. But despite the litany of reasons not to go, there was also a tiny voice in her head begging her to say yes.
She was leaving tomorrow, and chances were, she would never see him again. What harm could one dinner do?
Suddenly the taxi stopped.
‘Here we are, miss.’
Olivia peered out of the window and did a double take. They had pulled up outside a large, white building with an extremely posh exterior. Olivia watched in confusion as a stream of well-dressed people flowed in and out through the large, ornate entrance.
‘Are you sure this is the right place?’
‘Yes.’ He nodded assuredly, pointing at a glowing sign that hung outside the front. ‘Farzi Cafe.’
‘I can see that, it just looks …’
Too nice? Too expensive? Too clean?
This had to be a mistake. Why hadn’t she checked out the restaurant before she left?
Because you weren’t planning on coming until twenty minutes ago.
‘I just thought maybe there was another one somewhere,’ she finished shyly.
‘No, madam. This is the only one in the city centre.’
‘Right then.’ She began straightening out the creases in her white H it was nearly quarter past seven. ‘He should already be here.’
‘Ah.’ The man smiled. ‘Of course, Miss Olivia. He will be delighted you came. Follow me.’
The waiter turned and began to walk through the dining room.
Olivia couldn’t help but marvel at the dark wooden interior, the low lighting and luxurious green velvet seating.
It felt more like a nightclub than a restaurant, but it looked gorgeous, and the smells coming from the kitchen were equally as sumptuous.
‘Here we are. I will get someone to come and serve you shortly.’ The man gestured to the table directly in front of them, where Jacob sat, cleanly dressed and already smirking.
‘I cannot believe
you did this.’
‘And hello to you too.’ Jacob raised his eyebrows as Olivia threw herself down into the seat opposite. ‘Glad you could make it; I was going to give you another thirty seconds before I gave up and ordered.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me this place was so fancy
?’ She pulled at her T-shirt. ‘I look like a … like …’
‘Like a grubby, dishevelled traveller?’
‘Jacob!
Don’t!’
‘I’m kidding. You look great. A little casual maybe, but still great.’ His eyes lingered on her face, sending a little jolt of electricity sparking through her. ‘Besides, I thought you would have done some thorough research on the place before accepting my proposal.’
‘Yes, well, my phone’s been playing up.’
‘Ah,’ he smirked, ‘and nothing to do with the fact you weren’t going to come, until you changed your mind last minute and forgot to check before you left the hotel?’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ she muttered, turning her attention to the menu in front of her and praying her cheeks weren’t as red as they felt. ‘Do you know what you want to eat?’
‘Yes, and I’m starving, so if you could hurry up and decide what you want, that would be great.’
Olivia’s mouth began to water from just reading the words on the page. ‘It all looks so
good.’
‘Right? And no cockroaches here. I asked them to check the kitchen myself.’
If it weren’t such a posh place, Olivia would have been tempted to throw her napkin at his face. Instead, she settled for a deadly stare.
‘You really are insufferable.’
‘But you still came for dinner with me, didn’t you?’
‘Only because I felt bad at the thought of you sitting here on your own waiting for me.’
‘Is that so?’ The edges of his mouth curled into a smile.
‘Yes. It’s more of a good deed, act of charity kind of thing.’
‘The only charitable deed I want from you right now is to pick your food! I have been waiting all day for this!’
‘OK, OK.’ Luckily, the strong ache in Olivia’s stomach was forcing her brain to choose quickly. ‘Right, I think I know what I want.’
‘Good, let’s get this show on the road, then.’
All it took was a look for one of the poised-to-pounce waiters to come over and take their order. Olivia tried not to look too surprised as Jacob reeled off two starters, a main and three side dishes. He hadn’t been lying when he said he could eat.
‘Now, tell me,’ Jacob said, the second the waiter disappeared, ‘how was your ridiculously busy day?’
‘It was good!’ Satisfaction swelled in her chest. ‘I saw everything I wanted to see, I’m packed ready to leave tomorrow, and
I didn’t fall over or faint.’
‘Sounds like a roaring success to me.’
‘It was.’
‘How are you finding the craziness?’
‘Still crazy,’ Olivia scoffed. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.’
‘You will, in time.’
‘I’m not so sure.’ She fiddled with the napkin in front of her. ‘I don’t know how you do it.’
‘Do what?’
‘Live out of a backpack for months at a time. Never go back home!’ His admission the other day still blew her mind. ‘I am dreaming of the day I get back, have a bath and put a wash on.’
‘Wow, don’t go too wild.’
‘It’s true! It’s always the little things you miss. You know, the home comforts.’
‘Enlighten me.’ He took a sip of water. ‘Like what else?’
‘I don’t know. Seeing friends, going back to work.’
‘I’m sorry … did you say “going back to work”?’
‘Yes.’
‘You are looking forward
to going back to work?’
‘Yes, what’s wrong with that? I like my job.’
‘No, you don’t.’
‘Yes, I do!’
‘I’m sorry, but I won’t accept that as an answer.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because you’re a young, attractive woman living in London … surely
you have more fun things in your life than work?’
Olivia sat up a little taller, trying to ignore the warmth she felt at his compliment.
‘Work is important to me. It always has been and I’m not ashamed to admit it.’
‘Let me guess.’ Jacob narrowed his eyes. ‘You’re an only child?’
‘No.’ Her body tensed.
‘Right, well, the oldest child then?’
‘Maybe,’ she replied, praying the waiter would arrive imminently with their food.
‘Of how many?’
Two.
Now only two.
‘Three.’
‘Cool. That must be fun.’
Oh yeah, it’s been a real hoot.
‘How about you?’ she deflected, spotting a man carrying what looked like their food order heading towards them.
‘How about me what?’
‘How many brothers and sisters do you have?’
‘We’re not asking questions about me yet, Olivia.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because you
are way more interesting.’
‘As if! I’m a single, almost thirty-year-old girl living and working in London. I don’t think you can get more typical than that. You
, on the other hand, are a travelling free spirit with seemingly no care in the world.’
‘Is that what you think of me?’
‘Yes. And if you don’t tell me anything else about you, how will I know any different?’
Jacob seemed to chew on his answer, but just as he was about to speak, the server appeared by their table.
‘The paneer and mushroom masala?’ the waiter announced.
‘That’s mine.’ Olivia smiled, annoyed at the interruption but grateful for the food.
‘And the rest’ – Jacob rubbed his hands together – ‘is all mine.’
‘Very good.’ The waiter placed the food down in front of them. ‘If there’s anything more I can do, please let me know. Otherwise, enjoy your meal.’
‘Thank you!’ they both replied in unison.
The server turned on his heel and left.
‘So come on …’ Olivia pressed. ‘Tell me why I can’t know any information about you.’
Jacob spooned some thick black dhal on to his plate. ‘It’s not that you can’t.’
‘What then?’
‘I just don’t want to make it too easy for you.’
‘Easy?’ She pierced a cube of paneer rather aggressively. ‘Surely conversation should be easy? Isn’t that the whole point?’
‘Yes, but like I said before, you don’t strike me as someone who enjoys taking the easy route.’ His face lit up in delight. ‘I know – let’s make a deal.’
‘What kind of deal?’
‘Firstly, you let me pay for this meal, and then
,’ Jacob continued over Olivia’s attempted protest, ‘if you agree to come for a walk and get some dessert with me, I’ll let you ask me some questions.’
‘Absolutely not.’
‘Why?’
‘Because that’s a stupid deal.’
Olivia sat back in her seat, fully taking in the strange creature opposite her. His wild hair looked like it had seen a
brief kiss from a comb, and his white shirt glowed pristine under the lights. The dark eyes remained the same: searching, curious and intense in their gaze.
‘All right, then.’ He licked his fork wickedly. ‘No questions for you.’
‘Jacob! I can’t let you pay again
.’
‘Who says?’
‘I do! And besides, why does everything have to be some sort of bargain with you? Why is nothing straightforward?’
‘Because what in life ever is?’
He extended his hand across the table.
‘Do we have a deal?’
Olivia folded her arms across her chest. There was no way she was going to let him do this. No way …