Page 2 of All The Wrong Notes
“I’m pretty much the same,” she said, trying to draw him out. “Do you like herbal teas? I’ve never really developed a taste for them. I like flavoured black tea, though. If it’s too late in the afternoon, I have to have decaf, or I can’t sleep.”
He stared at her and said nothing.
“Okay, then, here’s another one. Are you a thinker or a talker? Oh, never mind. Definitely a thinker.” She glanced back at her list. “What are the most important things you look for in a person?”
Another blank stare. “The wisdom to know when to stop talking.”
What the…?
“Then why the hell are you even here?” Too late, Elise realised her mouth was moving. She really needed to learn to keep her thoughts to herself.
“I beg your pardon?” The dark brows lowered over slits where his eyes had been.
Ugh! Well, the damage was done. This man, handsome though he may be, was never going to be anything other than a bad memory, so why not speak her mind?
“Have you been this miserable to everyone in the room? I can’t imagine why you bothered to show up at all, if you’re just going to glower at people and not say anything.”
“I am accustomed to a better sort of person.”
“A what? Are you some sort of dinosaur? Or just too hoity-toity for us mortal folk. Well, let’s not waste any more time. I’ve got a book on my phone, which I’m sure is much more interesting than you.” She let out a snort. “Seriously, why are you even here?”
“I came with a friend. Goodbye.”
And despite three minutes remaining before the bell rang, he got up and left, with every eye in the room following him.
“Stuck up, arrogant, miserable bastard,” Elise muttered as she glared after his retreating form. If only it weren’t so lovely to look at.
* * *
“There wasn’t anyone you liked?” Janet tutted as the two women headed to the doors. “I thought some of them were very nice.”
“You seemed to like that Spanish fellow, Number Twelve. From what I saw, he could hardly bear to move from your station after the bell rang.”
Janet’s eyes went dreamy for a moment. “Carlos. His name is Carlos. I know we weren’t supposed to give our names, but… he’s lovely, isn’t he?”
Elise had enjoyed her eight minutes with him. “He was definitely charming.”
“And so handsome.” If Janet were a little bit dreamier about him, she would dissolve in a pastel-coloured mist of rose petals and singing birds.
“Handsome, indeed. As every man should be, if he can at all help it!”
Janet rolled her eyes. “You are impossible, Elise! I really liked him. He enjoys reading and cooking, and he’s a music lover, too. He sings, if you can believe that! We only had a few minutes, but I really liked him. I hope we match.” She let out a happy sigh, full of more rose petals and fairy dust. “Come home with me. We’ll order pizza, and I’ll go on and on about Carlos, and then I’ll drive you home.”
Elise stifled a snicker and glanced at her watch. It was 8:30, and she was hungry. They had taken a short break in the middle of all that speed-dating for a snack, but a handful of pretzels and a ginger ale didn’t fill the belly. It might help keep her mind off that miserable Number Seven who couldn’t even be bothered to try.
“Thanks. Maybe we can order now, so it will be ready by the time we get to your place. The usual?”
“Absolutely,” Janet replied. She ran a hand through her hair and gasped. “Oh! I’ve lost an earring. These are a favourite pair, too.” She shook her head, and only one golden spiral danced from an earlobe. “Do you mind? I’ll run back into the room and see if I can find it.”
She dashed back into the meeting room without waiting for a reply. Elise moved to the wall by a large plant, to stay out of everyone’s way while she waited.
“You were awful in there.”
A man’s voice sounded from a few feet away. The plant hid him from view, but by the slight accent, it was Carlos, the charming guy Janet had gushed over. He did not sound pleased.
“Why did you bother coming at all, if you weren’t even going to be pleasant?”
A sharp exhalation of breath, almost a snort. Then another man spoke. “I said I would attend. I never promised to find pleasure in it.”