Fixed Up by Maddie Jane Page A

wafting from the kitchen made Luke’s mouth water as he and Harper followed the waiter to their seats, and music playing softly from hidden speakers filled the spaces between chitchat. He slid into the cosy booth opposite Harper, waited for her to put her purse aside and get comfortable. She fidgeted, rubbing her hands up and down her jeans a couple of times before pushing them under her thighs.
    The fact that she looked nervous helped quell the faint rolling in his own gut and he relaxed into the cushioned seat.
    â€˜Lucky for you I don’t take up much leg room,’ said Harper as she, too, wiggled back into the cushions. Their feet bumped under the table anyway and she quickly adjusted her position. He smiled. For a non-date, this sure felt very first-datey. He drummed his fingers thoughtfully on the table, his usual sense of ease returning as she smiled back at him.
    â€˜You should smile more,’ he said.
    â€˜My sister tells me I’m a grumpy cow. A party-pooper. I think she called me a complete killjoy only last week.’ Her smile shrunk and her shoulders drooped a little.
    â€˜I meant it as a compliment. You have a beautiful smile. I just haven’t seen it much.’
    â€˜Oh.’ Harper’s cheeks were flushed. Her hair looked even glossier in the soft lighting as she fiddled with the menu.
    Luke had another revelation as he watched her.
    He was falling for her.
    Really falling for her. As in falling in love with her. And he’d only known her a few weeks. He couldn’t even blame it on any amazing physical connection because they’d only locked lips once and that kiss had turned to shit.
    Maybe it’d been love at first sight. The thrill of her tumbling into his arms and making him feel like a hero. The attraction had been there right from the word go. He’d never pursued anyone as much as he’d pursued her.
    Yet apart from the odd glimmer of interest, there’d been no real indication whatsoever she returned his feelings. To the contrary, she’d stated repeatedly, pre-kiss, that she was too busy to go out with him, and post-kiss, that it had all been a disaster and she wasn’t interested.
    Though she’d certainly seemed interested when she’d had her hands in his hair and her tongue in his mouth.
    Where did a guy go from there?
    ***
    Halfway through the meal Harper started to relax. She hadn’t intended to and the initial process of relaxation was gradual and sneaky, her body tuning into its surroundings without her mind’s permission. First her toes, then the muscles in her legs, then the aching lower back traitorously settled into the soft and welcoming booth, lulled by the music and the deep timbre of Luke’s voice. She told herself it was because she was tired after the rigours of the day, all the while knowing she lied.
    She enjoyed Luke’s company. It wasn’t a crime to admit it, surely? He had lots to say and an entertaining way of saying it, he looked good and knew the best things to order from the menu. The perfect dinner companion.
    Harper contemplated the colour of her wine—a rich, ruby red—swirling it around the glass before taking a sip. She held it in her mouth for a beat before swallowing. The wine tasted better than her usual cheap plonk, the velvety liquid lubricating her throat, warming her insides and giving her a little buzz.
    â€˜A top up?’ said Luke.
    â€˜I should probably say no,’ said Harper. But then the evening would end . They’d finished their meal and the dishes had been cleared away. Most of the diners had gone from the restaurant and the staff were discreetly cleaning up across the room. ‘It is Monday …’
    â€˜So it is. It’s been a bit of a weird one today.’ Luke looked towards the darkened windows, as if he could see through them. ‘Sounds like the weather’s finally settled down out there. Life should resume as normal