CHAPTER 18
“Can I help in any way?” Joel asks. “I feel kind of guilty after my earlier faux pas.”
“It’s fine,” I say, with a quiver of a smile. “I wanted to explain about my own faux pas in the Chinese restaurant the other night. I didn’t deliberately set out to deceive you, but the truth is I wasn’t meeting my friend, I was stood up.”
“I sort of figured that out at the time,” Joel grins, “and it’s already forgotten.”
I nod, thankful that he’s deigned to question me further.
“For what it’s worth? That guy must be crazy to do that to you…”
The door swings open, halting our conversation. I’m aware of Joel’s gaze still lingering on me and heat is coursing through my body. His hand is splayed on the table, almost touching my fingers. Instinctively I move away.
“Woah, it’s hot in
