Chapter Eight: Colette
"Who was it?" Ali leans back but doesn't take her eyes off the John Wick film playing on the TV.
"It was Felix. He came to check on me."
The TV falls silent as she pauses it to look at me.
"Oh aye? You were out there for a while. Did you give him a thank you smooch?"
"Not quite. He asked me for my number, in case I'm a damsel in distress and need him to save me."
"The only thing in distress is your sex life. You should let him fix that."
I pick up a pillow and throw it at her, hitting her square in the face. She snorts, enjoying getting under my skin.
"Gutted it wasn't our to take away," she hits play again. My phone buzzes in my jogger pocket and I smile at the text that's come through.
F: I hope you save my number under something memorable.
L: How does White Knight sound? X
F: That sounds about right. Sorry for disturbing your evening.
L: You weren't disturbing me. Thank you for coming to check on me x
F: You're welcome, Lettie.
It feels like my heart is going to burst. I can hear his deep voice as I read our little exchange. Maybe the way he looked at me last night wasn't in my head after all. I feel giddy as I conjure up ideas for conversation with Mr tall, dark and secretly dangerous. Ali watches me out of the corner of her eye as I curl up in the armchair, rigging a blanket around my shoulders. I must look like an excited school girl whose just found out their crush likes them too.
L: oh, I put the clothes you leant me in your dirty washing hamper. In case you were wondering if I stole them x
…
F: I found them. Thank you for making my bed. It smells of you.
L: Is that a bad thing? x
F: Not at all. Its nice.
F: if it's not to bold of me to ask, Are you free next Wednesday evening? My brother has invited me to a dinner party. I'd rather not be on my lonesome surrounded by couples.
L: I think I have something wednesday, but I'm sure I can move things around. It can be my way of saying thank you for Saturday night :) x
F: I would like it if you could attend. Don't worry yourself too much if you cant. It is short notice.
L: I want to be there. Its the least I can do. Leave it with me x
L: Is there a dress code? X
…
I don't get a response till the saturday while I'm taking stock with the help of our trusted employee Zoheb. The bell above the door dings and a familiar voice fills the quiet store. I turn my head, spotting Ali talking to my broad shouldered hero, her arms folded over her chest. He turns, looking over his should and for the first time he smiles. Two dimples appear in his cheeks and those mono-lid, almond eyes seem to light up. I beg for my beating heart to be still.
"Good Afternoon, Lettie."
His voice is so deep and velvety. His body blocks out the sun light streaming through the window and casts my body into darkness.
"Felix. Hello."
He looks over the loose black shirt dress hides my figure. The only bit of skin I have on show today is my pasty white legs that disappear into cowboy boots.
"I wanted to hand you this in person."
Its a beautiful bouqette made up of peonies and white envelope with swirly writing on the front. Mr F Kang, it reads.
"Kang?" I gaze up at his handsome face.
"My father is a Korean immigrant. My mother is american."
"Oh," a little bit of information from the man of mystery. Now I know he's half-Korean, has a brother and can hold his own in a fight. Three personal facts. I feel honoured.
"What is it?"
"The invite for Wednesday. I've got to go out of town the weekend so I thought it would be best to leave this with you."
"Out of town?"
"For work. I'll be back Monday morning but in expected in the office. I'll pick you up at 7 on wednesday if that's alright?"
I nod my head a little too enthusiastically.
"It's a date," sometimes I could strangle myself. "Of course it doesn't have to be a date. Just a woman helping her male friend out."
He seems amused as I find the floor incredibly fascinating all of a sudden.
"I told you I like to get to know the woman in interested in."
The speed I throw my head back to look at Felix, I'm surprised I didn't give myself whip lash. He leans forward, planting a light kiss on my cheek. My whole body feels as though someone's set it on fire.
"I'll see you Wednesday. 7pm."
"Yes you will."
I cringe at myself again as he turns his back and heads to the door. He says goodbye to Alison as he takes his leave and she gives him a little wave, clearly shocked just as much as I am. Zoheb who witnessed it first-hand from behind me coughs, breaking me from my trance.
"What was that?"
I slip my finger under the fold of the envelope and peel it back. Removing the folded paper from inside, my jaw drops. I feel
Zoheb rests his chin on my shoulder, scanning the paper in front of me.
"An invite to the mayor's birthday bash."
Oh shit.