The trouble with Debbie

chapter 9

"Debs, I can't believe this guy went all crazy like this," she told her, "I'm worried. Why don't you come and stay with us for a few days at least?"

"I'm okay," Debbie reassured her, "Keiron is really looking out for me..."

"So his name is Keiron? Finally, some information..." Klara broke in.

"Shut up," Debbie laughed, "Actually, I thought I'd bring him to dinner on Friday night..."

"No!" Klara panicked, forgetting she was in her office. She hurried from her desk to close her blinds so her team would stop looking at her, pretending not to be looking at her. "I'm sorry," she told Debbie, "the numbers are all confirmed, it's too late to bring extras..."

"Nonsense!" Debbie laughed, "I'll call the restaurant and tell them myself. I'll pay extra if anything."

Klara let out a long sigh, "You like him that much? Who is this guy?"

"It's not about that," Debbie defended herself, "I mean, yes, he's amazing, but he's really helped me. I want to do something nice for him. And you're getting a chance to meet him for yourself. He's a nice guy, I haven't met a nice guy in a very long time."

Klara didn't know what else to say. She'd just have to direct this Keiron guy to another friend.

" Fine," she gave in, "I know you'd bring him no matter what I said."

That afternoon, after doing some work, Debbie sat down with Keiron in the garden. He was doing some of his own work on his ipad.

"You okay?" he asked her without looking up.

"Yes thank you. How are you?" she happily replied.

"I'm great thanks." he smiled, still looking at his tablet. They sat for another 10 minutes. Him working, her reading. She liked that it was so easy to be around him. Conversation was easy but the silence was always comfortable. Like they'd known each other for years. After about 30 minutes, Keiron put his ipad down and smiled. "What's on your mind?"

"Well," Debbie grinned, "My cousin is having her wedding anniversary dinner on Friday and I'd love for you to come with me."

"So, I'd be your date?" Keiron asked, still smiling.

"No," Debbie rushed, feeling a little shy, "well, I guess, maybe. But it's up to you..."

"I'd really like that." he reached over and touched her shoulder.

"Really?" Debbie beamed, "That's great! So," she looked away, chewing her lip, "are you... Staying here again tonight or are you going back next door?"

Keiron didn't answer straight away. He studied her face first. She was definitely shy and a little nervous. She was incredibly pretty. Dark caramel skin, chocolate brown eyes and shiny, kinky coily hair in a sleek bun. Her lips, full and slightly pink, covered only with a little aloe Vera vaseline. She wasn't pretty. She was beautiful. Regal.

"Do you want me to stay?" he finally spoke.

Debbie was glad she couldn't blush.

"I mean," she mumbled, "I like having you here."

Keiron laughed his velvet laugh, his head tipped back, his Adams apple on show. Was it even possible to like someone you just met this much? Debbie felt silly, like she was watching herself in a movie. The type of movie where she shouts at the main character for unrealistically falling in love with a stranger who turns out to be a serial killer or already has 5 wives. Whoa. Falling in love? Fall back Debbie, that's not what's happening. But he's fine as hell, he's built perfectly and he's a pleasure to be around. And she didn't know where he got his weed from but it was good.

"I'll stay as long as you want me to," he smirked, "as long as you'll welcome me. But, if I am going to stay here, I need to get something off my chest."

"Okay." Debbie braced herself. Here it comes. The devastating reality that's going to ruin everything. He took a sharp breath, suddenly HE looked shy and nervous.

"I think you're amazing Debbie," he said quietly, "I actually really like you. I'm terrified of making a move and ruining everything because I think we get on really well. But I can't pretend that I'm not fascinated by you. I know you literally, like, yesterday, finished with the whole 'he who must not be named' situation, so, I wanna respect that and give you space. But, I'm very much in to you."

Debbie didn't know what to say. It had been a while since anyone had said anything like that to her. She definitely liked him too but it was true, Matt was a heavy ending and she wasn't even sure that was completely finished with. She didn't know yet if she could be 100% for someone else right now with that still hovering over her. But, still, Keiron felt different.

"I really like you too," she replied, full on shy mode, "maybe we just move SUPER casual and get to know each other. See what happens."

Relief showered over Keirons face. He let out the breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Sounds great," he smiled, "Thank you."

"Stop thanking me Keiron." Debbie grinned. Oh this could be fun!