Barely Yours Read Free Page A

and felt the sudden urge to tell me just how her new best friend, Dottie the kitten, was getting on!”
    At this, she laughs, and I can’t help but join in.
    “She’s certainly taken quite the shine to you,” I admit.
    And then for a moment we just stare at each other. I suppose it should feel awkward, looking at someone as intimately as this. But there’s something about this girl that’s just so natural, so welcoming; it’s like I’ve known her all my life.
    But just then, all of a sudden, the moment’s broken by the insistent buzz of my mobile.
    What now?!
    “I’m so sorry,” I sigh, honestly frustrated to have to leave things like this. “But I really must take this call. But thank you so much again.”
    She looks like she’s about to speak, to say something else, but I meant it – right now, business must come first. 
    As I answer my phone, I see her swallow back her words, and I hurriedly tug Tabitha’s arm and turn away, striding back towards the city and away from this beautiful, intriguing stranger.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    I take another huge glug of my wine in an attempt to keep pace with Brian, but damn, these Brits sure can drink.
    “No, you don’t under stand ,” I insist, having to raise my voice a little to be heard over the pulsing music in this wine bar, not to mention the insistent chatter of a hundred and one different after-work conversations. “I literally didn’t get a chance to ask his name , let alone get his number. All of a sudden it was, New York calling , and then before I knew it – poof! He’d vanished into thin air. Seriously Brian, I’m starting to think I might be going crazy. It feels like I’ve made the whole thing up.”
    “Sweetie,” Brian grins sympathetically. “A guy who turns your head, makes you crazy, and then poof , vanishes without a trace? That’s all too real. You didn’t make that up. It sounds like the story of my life!”
    “Anyway,” I add, trying to shrug off the strange events of the last few days and forget about my mystery man, “what do I care? I’ve got myself a South American adventure to plan for, right? And you’ve got to promise to come out there and visit me, too. I won’t take no for an answer.”
    “Are you kidding ?” Brian laughs excitedly. “The farthest I’ve ever been is Blackpool. Of course I’m coming. Oh, I’m not gonna miss out on the chance of finding some hot Latino lover, either.”
    We clink glasses and laugh, then Brian finishes the last of his cocktail in one big gulp.
    “Right,” he says, checking the time on his watch. “I’m off. Big day tomorrow and you know I need my beauty sleep.”
    “Come on, Bri,” I beg. “Please? Just one more drink? It’s on me.”
    At this, Brian raises a perfectly plucked quizzical eyebrow. “I get it,” he laughs. “Somebody’s too afraid to go home to Magenta the Mad, right?”
    At this I mime banging my forehead theatrically against the table. “I’m not afraid of her exactly,” I admit with a sigh, “but I just can’t take it anymore. I don’t know what to do, but if I live there too much longer, I think I’m gonna end up just as crazy as she is. “
    Magenta is my housemate. She’s from Rome. And while she’s not really crazy, I do think she might drive me a little bonkers before too long. For a start, she sings all the time. And I mean All. The. Time. And she’s so messy, too! She leaves stuff everywhere . It’s like she can’t even see the mess. She’ll come home and say how tidy the apartment looks, when you can barely sit down in the living room because of all her books, make up, drying clothes and general debris. And on top of that, she borrows my stuff constantly . Like, without even asking. Oh, don’t get me started on that.
    “Alright,” Brian laughs, “you’ve twisted my arm. Anything for my all-American princess. And don’t worry. This one’s on me. You bought the last round.”
    “Thanks, Brian,” I grin.
    “Same