Rory's Proposal Read Free Page B

that I’ve done more panting than exercising. He watches me over a mug of tea. If Luke could see me now he’d have a dozen canary fits, because of all the food I’m eating not because I’m with another man. We eat in silence until he says,
    ‘Come here often?’
    I lift my eyes to look at him and we both laugh.
    ‘It seemed a sensible question when I asked it,’ he laughs.
    ‘No, I don’t actually. I usually go to Healthy Juice after my class.’
    He lifts his eyebrows.
    ‘Seriously?’
    I look at him and nod. He is breathtakingly handsome and much more laid back than Luke. He has beautiful eyes and very kissable lips.
    ‘I’m supposed to be on the colonic clean out diet,’ I say confidentially before stuffing the last of the bacon butty into my mouth.
    ‘I can tell,’ he smiles.
    ‘My boyfriend is into health fads, well I am too. I just …’
    ‘Lapse sometimes?’ he laughs.
    I nod.
    ‘I have a bit of a sweet tooth.’
    A bit? That must be the understatement of the year. I’ve more stash hidden away in the flat than the great train robbers. I so wish I was wearing something nicer and that my hair was down. Not that I fancy him or anything but it would have been nice if he had seen me with some make-up on and my hair looking decent rather than all damp with sweat. I really should offer to pay for his car. God, more money I don’t have and I daren’t ask Luke. He’ll only say I was irresponsible which I suppose is the truth. I should be more mindful.
    ‘We should sort these cars out,’ he says, reading my mind. ‘I’m really sorry about that. I’d like to settle it with cash if that’s okay. The excess on the insurance will be more than the damage.’
    Before I can speak, he has pulled out his wallet and is counting out ten-pound notes.
    ‘It’s just the brake light a hundred should do it, if it’s more you must let me know.’
    ‘Oh no, I should be …’ I begin, but he pushes the money across the table.
    ‘Don’t worry about it. I’m Tom by the way,’ he says, holding out his hand. I look at it for a second and then place mine in his feeling that powerful surge of emotion again as I do so. He has a South London accent, similar to Luke’s but softer and more cultivated.
    ‘Flo,’ I say, ‘and thanks for the lunch, and there is really no need to pay for the car …’
    ‘I want to,’ he says, looking into my eyes.
    I blush and see that he is still holding my hand. I look down and he takes his hand away.
    ‘I’m sorry I’ve got to go. I’ve got a meeting. Look, if you should find any other problem with the car email me. Send it here, it will get lost in the system if you send it to the business address.’
    I take the card and glance down at it.
     
    Email me
    [email protected]
     
    He grabs his jacket.
    ‘Do you have an umbrella?’ he asks. ‘It’s tipping it down.’
    ‘I’ll be fine,’ I say in my martyr voice.
    ‘I’ll walk you back to your car, we can share my umbrella.’
    Before I know it, he has his arm around my waist and we are running in the rain. I look at his profile and find myself wondering what his girlfriend is like. He escorts me gentlemanly to my car.
    ‘Don’t forget to email if there is a problem,’ he calls as I start the engine. An overwhelming urge for a Crunchie consumes me and that’s when I remember. Shit, I’d booked a home delivery with Rory’s online. Oh shit, I’m late. I just hope they are not on time.

Chapter Three
    ‘Eight kilos?’ I ask. ‘What am I supposed to do with them? I don’t own a bloody horse.’
    ‘You ordered them,’ says a sour-faced Tony. ‘I only deliver.’
    I am sure the order was per item. What am I supposed to do with eight kilos of carrots? Even eight single carrots would have been too much. This is a flat, not a soup kitchen. God, I wish I was more organised. I also wish I was slimmer and gorgeous, and richer. I’d probably be married by now. All my chances of being married and with children by the time