Chapter 16

“I know what you are thinking.” He smiled. “I’ve finally grown up.”

“Looks like it.” I nodded and kept my attention on the shelving beside us.

“Well you haven’t changed a bit.” I could feel his eyes roaming over me. He was much more confident than he had been in college. I’d often caught him looking at me sheepishly, even when he thought he’d looked away quickly enough.

“I’m not sure whether that’s a good thing or not.” I laughed nervously.

“It definitely is.” Simon nodded. “So what are you doing nowadays?”

“Oh, you know, work, socialising, saving the world.” I shrugged. “The usual.”

“You always were a joker,” Simon pointed out. “I always loved that about you.”

He spoke quietly, almost as though he hadn’t meant to say the words out loud, but they drew my gaze up to look at him.

“Well I’d love to stay and crack a few more but I’m afraid I’m in a little bit of a rush,” I responded quickly before I could make our encounter any more awkward.