Chapter Eighteen #2
‘I know there are bookshops all over the place, but I know I’ll actually read a book if I borrow it from the library. The one you suggested was great, by the way. To your recommendation.’ He toasted to her, and she giggled. ‘I’m getting through the rest of them. They’re fantastic.’
‘They are good,’ she said. ‘There are loads more in the same vein you’d probably love.’
It was nice to talk about books. It was a safe, easy topic she knew a lot about.
It turned out they were both fantasy fans, though where Chloe’s tastes moved towards romance and the classics, Harry tended to like high fantasy and historical fiction.
They reconnected on thrillers, though, and were eagerly swapping their favourite authors and twists when their dishes were suddenly clean and a smiling member of the serving staff was handing them the dessert menu.
‘Did you know that restaurants found that if they ask customers directly if they would like the dessert menu, it’s less likely they’ll order something?
’ asked Chloe as she flipped it open. ‘Whereas if they just bring you the menu without asking, you’re much more likely to order a dessert.
Maybe because you see what’s available and get tempted. ’
‘Smart move,’ said Harry. ‘I heard if you’re selling something, it’s a good idea to make sure the customer holds it in their hands. Then they’re more likely to buy it.’
‘I’ll have to remember that if I ever end up back in marketing.’ Chloe smiled. ‘I’m not planning on working at the library for ever, you know.’
‘Is that right?’ asked Harry. He looked so surprised she almost laughed.
‘Well, I might be the type to work in the library, but I just came back to look after my parents’ house.
And now Gwen is here . . .’ She didn’t want to say it aloud, but she didn’t want to be Gwen’s housemate for ever.
Especially if the elephant in the room reared its ginormous head every time they were in the same space.
She sighed. ‘I’m not entirely sure why she came to the library the other day.
Google will have more information on jobs than we do.
It was funny, though.’ She told Harry about Eric’s eagerness to help Gwen out and how he’d missed his chair, falling on his bottom.
Harry’s big shoulders shook as he laughed, and Chloe found herself grinning back.
She found she liked making him laugh. The corners of his eyes crinkled in this charming way, delight shining from his eyes as well as his smile.
They ended up choosing the tiramisu. ‘Can you double-check there are no nuts in it? She’s allergic,’ Harry asked the waiting staff.
‘Thanks,’ said Chloe.
She felt full and happy after the delicious, nut-free dessert. Harry asked a staff member to bring the bill.
‘We can go halves,’ she offered. They had drunk an entire bottle of wine between them, and she had seen the prices on the menu; it was a fancy place.
Harry shifted in his seat, pulling a leather wallet from his pocket. ‘You get the next one, all right? Think of it as a welcome home present.’
Home . . . was Wellbridge her home? Chloe wasn’t sure, but she pulled her coat on and they left the restaurant together. She gasped as a strong wind rippled over them. Winter was definitely on its way.
Harry walked her home. She flexed her cold fingers, wishing she had thought to bring a pair of gloves.
She glanced at Harry, who walked confidently beside her, his strides long but walking slowly enough for her to keep up.
If she moved just a little bit closer, their fingers would brush together.
Something had shifted in her tonight. He didn’t seem quite so frightful.
She wondered if he wanted to hold her hand.
She opened her mouth to ask if he did when Harry said, ‘Actually, Chloe, I have a favour I want to ask you.’
‘Sure.’
They had entered her neighbourhood now, the quiet town already empty and the streetlights casting golden light on the pavements.
A few stars winked above their heads. Harry stopped before her.
‘I’d prefer it if you didn’t tell anyone that we .
. . well, that we’ve been out together,’ said Harry, looking at her.
‘I mean, you can tell your sister. But I don’t really want anyone to know, yet. ’
‘Oh,’ she said. ‘Yeah, sure.’
There was nothing to tell anyway, she reminded herself. Just two friends out for a meal.
‘It’s just that I haven’t been out with anyone since Julie . . . you know. I’m still not sure what I want. Or what this was,’ he added. ‘I just don’t want people getting the wrong idea.’
She found herself almost withdrawing into her coat, like a turtle.
She wanted to say she hadn’t been on a decent date in a while, either, but it would sound silly after him mentioning his late wife.
‘All right, no problem.’ After all, this hadn’t really been a date.
He’d given her a comforting pat on her hand when she’d mentioned Mum and Dad, but she didn’t even know if she liked him.
Well, maybe she did a bit. The thought surprised her.
They walked in companiable silence until they reached Chloe’s house. ‘This is me,’ she said, noticing the living room light was on. The faint sound of the TV came from inside. Canned laughter reached them, sounding artificial and strange in the cold evening.
‘Thanks for coming out with me, Chloe.’ Harry stepped forward and tucked a strand of hair around Chloe’s ear. Her breath caught, but Harry simply pecked her on the cheek and drew back. ‘Let’s do it again sometime.’
‘Yeah,’ she said, her breath escaping all at once as Harry walked down the path. ‘Goodnight.’
‘Night!’ He waved to her and was soon swallowed by the darkness.