“And what if it isn’t?” he challenged. God, he was serious.
“Well, for one I’m not going to be around forever. Someday I’m going to meet a man and fall in love, get married, have kids. I won’t be available for you to just come see whenever the mood takes you.”
“And why not? Let’s just say you do get married, which by the way, isn’t likely, I’ll still be your friend. We should still be able to hang out.”
I gaped at him, even though he couldn’t see me, hung up on the “isn’t likely” bit of what he just said. “Why isn’t it likely?”
Trev sighed. “In the past two years I’ve only ever seen you with one boyfriend, Charles or whatever his name was.”
“Charlie,” I corrected, voice tight.
“Yeah, Charlie. And he didn’t last very long. Anyway, you seem happier single. That’s why we get along so well. We’re alike.”
“We’re not alike at all. And I’m not happier single, very few people are. Nobody wants to be alone for the rest of their lives,” I bit out, upset with him.
“Reya…”
“No, fuck you, Trev. You can be such a fucking arsehole sometimes,” I said and stood from the table, bumping my knee in the process. Stupid bloody dining in the dark. What a ridiculous idea. I fumbled through the restaurant, but it took me forever to find my way out. When I finally got outside I inhaled a deep breath, still riled by Trev’s insinuation that I was going to be single forever. What a dickhead.
I wasn’t sure why my emotions were so close to the surface today, because I never usually lost my temper with him, and there were times when he really tried my patience. I guess it was because of how affectionate he was being, touching me, licking the dessert from my chin. It gave me momentary ideas I had no business entertaining.
The door swung open and Trev emerged. He glanced from left to right before he spotted me. Then he shoved his hands in his pockets, looking sheepish.
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I was an arsehole. Please don’t hate me.”
I blew out a breath. “I don’t hate you. What you said just rubbed me the wrong way. I mean, you probably don’t understand because you always have your family around, but life can be very lonely for me sometimes. I’m not close to my family like you are, and when I go home at the end of the day I don’t have a bunch of brothers to keep me company. The idea that that’s all I’ll ever have is depressing, so it pissed me off when you basically condemned me to a life of spinsterhood.”
Trev’s brows drew together, casting an intense look over his features. Then he ran a hand over his face and swore. “Fuck.”
I grew self-conscious and wanted to change the subject. “Look, don’t worry about it. I shouldn’t have gotten so upset. Just…try and think before you speak in future.”
Trev took a step toward me and placed his hands on my shoulders. “No, you have every right to be upset. That was a shitty thing to say, but I didn’t realise you were lonely. You always seem so…together. Happy.”
“I am happy, and I like my life, but I’d like it even better if I had someone to share it with.” I stared at the ground now, unable to look him in the eye.
“You will one day, I promise. But in the meantime, I don’t like thinking of you all sad and lonely in your little flat. If you ever feel that way, just come stay with me for a couple days. There’s more space at ours now that Stu’s moved out, and everybody loves having you around.”
“Okay,” I whispered as he continued massaging my shoulders.
“Reya, look at me.”
I glanced up. “What?”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Shut up.”
“No, I’m being serious. You are. Any man in his right mind would give his left nut to be with you.”
Not you, though, my brain piped in. Shut up, brain!
“And you’re talented. And funny. And just plain lovely to be around. And the first time I heard you sing I swear I got a stiffy.”
I hit him on the chest. “You did not.”
“I did. Ask Karla. She was there. I think I might’ve scarred her for life.”
I laughed and he pulled me into a hug. I sank into his embrace, savouring it, because so few people hugged me these days. When I was little, my mum used to hug me all the time, but not anymore.
“Seriously though, you’re amazing, so don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise. Not even dumb fucks like me who are supposed to be your best friend,” he said, his mouth on my hair. I took the opportunity to breathe in his smell. I’d never admit it to anyone, but it was my favourite.
“Okay, I believe you,” I said and we pulled apart.
Trev grinned. “About being amazing or my unfortunate public erection?”
I laughed loudly. “Both.”
We stared at each other, smiling. It lasted a long moment before Trev glanced back at the restaurant and muttered, “Oh, shit.”
I frowned. “What’s wrong?”
He looked back at me. “We both just left without paying.”
“Crap! Okay, let’s go back in and explain.”
Trev grabbed my hand, halting my progress. When I glanced up at him I recognised the shine of mischief in his eyes. “Oh no, don’t even think about it.”
“Come on. You’ve never dined and dashed, and believe it or not, neither have I. It’s a new thing for both of us. Let’s do it.”
I stared him down firmly. “Trevor, no.”
He peered over my shoulder. “Reya.”
“What?”
“Hey, you two!” came a voice.
“Run!”
My heart pounded when he tugged on my hand. I didn’t know if it was fear, adrenaline, or the simple desire not to be arrested for walking out of a restaurant without paying, but I ran. I ran as fast as my legs would carry me, until the man’s shouts faded and we’d made it back to the tube station. It wasn’t until we were sitting on a carriage that I finally calmed down. I felt awful though, and determined to find out the name of the girl who’d been waiting our table and anonymously send her money for the meal.
“Where are we going now?”
Trev made a tutting sound. “Wait and see, nosy knickers. It’s a surprise.”
A half hour later we stood in front of steps that led down to a public toilet. Yes, you didn’t mishear me. A public toilet. Above the steps was a sign that read “Ladies & Gents”.
“Good God, do I even want to know what we’re doing here?” I asked. “If you say we’re meeting a stranger to A.) buy drugs or B.) engage in an act of public indecency, I’m going to have to unfriend you forever and ever, Amen.”
“Oh, don’t be such a drama queen. You’re going to love this,” Trev chided and stood behind me. He gripped each of my shoulders and ushered me down the steps. I moved forward at a wary pace, experiencing a few moments of misgiving before I stepped down into what appeared to be a tiny pub. In spite of the old bathroom tiles on the wall, it was sort of adorable. I twisted around to eye my friend. He winked. “Bet you never had a drink in a public bathroom before.”
“This is nuts. How have I never known this was here?”
Trev tipped the side of his nose. “It’s London’s best kept secret.”