Cathy Hopkins - [Mates, Dates 07] by Dates Mates, Pulling Power (Html) Page B

researching the perfect
place to take a girl for a romantic evening. And he thinks he’s found it.
    ‘I read a review in
the local paper,’ he said. ‘Family run restaurant, intimate, unpretentious,
slightly Bohemian, fab food and not too expensive. Voted the area’s favourite
restaurant by locals for five years running.’
    ‘And?’
    ‘I need you to come
and give me your opinion before I book it for…’
    ‘You and Lucy?’
    He nodded. ‘Yeah, if
she’ll come.’
    ‘Sure.’
    So there I was on
Friday evening waiting in a restaurant for my brother who, as usual, was late.
I didn’t mind too much though as I’d spent the last hour stacking shelves at
Lucy’s dad’s shop and it was good to sit down and relax. Quite a funky-looking
place, I thought as I scraped some wax off the wine bottle that served as a
candle holder in front of me. There were red and white gingham cloths on the
tables and the walls were a colourful mishmash of amateur paintings, faded
photos of people from times gone by, postcards from all over the world. All
were fighting for space and none were winning.
    ‘Would you like to
order?’ said a voice to my right.
    ‘Um. I’m waiting for
someone,’ I said looking up. When I saw who it was, I clapped my hand over my
mouth. ‘
You!’
    It was Luke. Even in
his waiter’s apron, he looked Pre-Raphaelite and gorgeous.
    He laughed and placed
a basket of bread and a small bowl of olive oil in front of me. ‘Yeah. It’s me.
Why? What did I do?’
    ‘Oh, nothing,’ I said
from behind my hand. ‘Just… you’re the guy from class the other night. What are
you doing here?’
    ‘I work here two
nights a week. What’s your excuse?’
    ‘Waiting for my
brother.’
    Ohmigod, ohmigod,
ohmigod, I thought, as my heart started thumping in my chest. This is what Iz
is always on about. Fate. Just as I’d decided to be all tragic and never see
Luke again, destiny decides otherwise. Wahey and hurrahalot. Let’s hear it for
destiny.
    ‘OK,’ he said getting
out his note-pad. ‘So what would you like while you’re waiting?’
    I suppose a snog’s out
of the question, I thought before I could stop myself. I almost blushed then
told myself, no relax, Nesta. He can’t read your mind.
    ‘Appuchino,’ I
muttered.
    ‘Pardon?’
    ‘Carperino.’
    ‘Sorry, I can’t
understand what you’re saying. Your hand seems to be superglued to your top
lip…’
    I put my hand down and
attempted to speak without opening my mouth. ‘Uepurino,’ I said.
    Luke looked knowingly
at me. ‘Brace, huh?’ he said gently.
    Uh? Am I
that
obvious? ‘No. Yeah. How did you know?’
    Luke pointed behind
him to a very pretty dark-haired girl behind the counter. ‘Marisa. She had one
until last month. She did the same. Hid behind her hand.’
    My heart sank. She was
gorgeous. Obviously his girlfriend as she smiled when he turned to look at her.
    ‘So she works here
too?’
    Luke nodded. ‘It’s our
dad’s restaurant…’
    His
sistert!
Yabadabadoo.
    ‘It’s well worth it,
you know,’ continued Luke.
    ‘Owning a restaurant?’
    ‘No. Having a brace.’
He called Marisa over. ‘Hey. Marisa, this is… I don’t know your name.’
    ‘Nesta,’ I said from
behind my hand.
    ‘Brace,’ said Marisa.
    I nodded.
    ‘Just in?’
    I nodded again. ‘Week
almost.’
    She gave me a huge
smile revealing perfect teeth. ‘It’s worth it in the end, but it’s awful when
it first goes in. Feels like everyone’s looking at you.’
    I nodded.
    ‘People don’t even
notice,’ said Luke. ‘I never really noticed Marisa’s. I think she was more
conscious of it than anyone.’
    ‘So how do you two
know each other?’ asked Marisa.
    Luke looked around as
though looking for someone then whispered, ‘We’re doing the same course.’
    ‘Why the secrecy?’ I
whispered back.
    ‘You tell her,’ said
Marisa. ‘What do you want, Nesta?’
    ‘Cappuccino, thanks,’
I said.
    Luke turned to go, but
Marisa pulled him back.