Page 117 of Collision

“You said last time that I could pay,” he protests.

“No chance, Norman.” I slip my card into the leather holder and hold it up for our waiter. “Maybe next time.”

“Let me guess.” Mikaela leans forwards and whispers as if conspiring against me. “He says that every time?”

“Without fail.” Norman nods with a roll of his eyes. “And every time I remind him.”

Mikaela’s laugh is like light itself as it washes over me, but darkness falls in an instant as she looks over Norman’s shoulder and her back straightens.

“Mik?” My hand is on her spine instantly. “What’s wrong?”

My eyes follow hers to the door. Outside the silhouettes of strangers bundling into their coats are muted by the shadowed windows, and my heart starts to sprint.

Mikaela shakes her head and releases a breathy laugh. And I want to believe it.

“Nothing,” she sighs. “I - I just thought - never mind. I’m fine.”

When she turns back to me, her smile is dazzling. It’s one of her rarest smiles. The one that has no secrets, no burdens, no worries. It simply exists because we exist.

Mikaela

I glance over my shoulder as we leave the restaurant and confirm what I already know: it was a trick of lighting. My stomach settles, as it had inside when the presence I thought he’d left behind drifted out of the restaurant and away from my chest, and I turn to face Ben as he helps his old driver into the back of a private car.

“You know, Benjamin, you don’t have to hire me a car every time I see you.” Norman grins and I relax even more. “It’s a fecking waste.”

Watching Ben with this man soothes me. He’s kind with him, patient and doting. It’s like watching a grandfather and his favourite grandchild at play; calm and easy and beautiful.

“Yeah, but I can, so I do.” Ben shrugs as he holds onto the door and Norman smiles up at him.

“I say it every time I see you, but I’m so proud of you, boy.” Norman releases a deep sigh and my eyes mist as Ben clears his throat. I smile when he nods over at me before continuing. “Even more so now you finally got the girl. Don’t screw it up. She’s precious.”

“I know.” Ben’s voice is gruff and emotional and I step to his side.

“Thank you, Norman, for a lovely evening.” I smile at him and he winks.

Ben closes the door and we watch as the driver moves steadily down the busy road before turning to make our way home.

“I had fun tonight.” I wrap my arms around his forearm, hugging close to him as we walk, and he pushes his hands into his pockets.

“Yeah?” His apprehension is scrawled over his face as he stares ahead and, for a moment, Ben seems vulnerable.

I tug his sleeve as I stare up at him and wait for the blue of his eyes to find me.

“Yes.” My voice is calm and steady as we walk together, hardly watching where we’re going, and I ease his mind. “Norman’s like this bomb of chaotic stories and kindness, and I really like him. Thank you for wanting me here tonight.”

Ben pulls his arm out of my hold, only to wrap it around my shoulders and pull me closer.

“You know, he was the best example of a good man that I had growing up.” It sounds confessional, as if he’s afraid to admit it. “Still is. And he’s always liked you. Even when Jamie and I were shoving you away and demanding he drove off without you. He would lay into us for that shit every time.”

I grin as he rolls his eyes and holds me close.

“Your place or mine?” I glance up at him as I ask and he smirks.

I know that look.

“Your place.” His voice drips with promises. “It’s so much closer.”