Too late, I realize that the jazz band has come to a halt. Everyone’s stopped dancing and a guy up onstage is making a speech. At least, he’s trying to make a speech, but the entire crowd has turned to look at me, yelling like a lunatic into empty space.
“Sorry.” I swallow. “I… didn’t mean to interrupt. Please, carry on.” Hardly daring to, I swivel my gaze to where Ed is standing, hoping desperately that he’s already got bored and gone home. But no such luck. He’s standing there staring at me, along with everyone else.
I want to shrivel up even more. My skin starts to prickle with mortification as he makes his way across the dance floor toward me. He isn’t smiling. Did he hear me mentioning his name?
“You found the painting?” Sadie’s voice is only a whisper and her eyes seem suddenly hollow as she stares at me. “You found Stephen’s painting?”
“Yes,” I mutter, a hand in front of my mouth. “You have to see it, it’s amazing-”
“Lara.” Ed has reached me. At the sight of him I have a flashback to the London Eye, and all sorts of crawling feelings come over me again.
“Oh. Um, hi,” I manage, my chest tight.
“Where is it?” Sadie tries to tug at my arm. “Where is it?”
Ed looks as uncomfortable as I feel. His hands are jammed in his pockets, and his frown is back in place as deep as it ever was. “So you came.” He meets my eyes briefly, then looks away. “I wasn’t sure if you would.”
“Um… well…” I clear my throat. “I just thought… you know…”
I’m trying to be coherent, but it’s almost impossible with Sadie bobbing around to get my attention.
“What did you find out?” Now she’s right in front of me, her voice high-pitched and urgent. It’s as though she’s suddenly woken up and realized I might have something of genuine importance for her. “Tell me!”
“I will tell you. Just wait.” I’m trying to talk subtly, out of the side of my mouth, but Ed is too sharp. He picks up everything.
“Tell me what?” he says, his eyes scanning my face intently.
“Um…”
“Tell me!” demands Sadie.
OK. I cannot cope with this. Both Sadie and Ed are standing in front of me, with expectant faces. My eyes are darting madly from one to the other. Any minute Ed is going to decide I really am a lunatic, and go.
“Lara?” Ed takes a step toward me. “Are you OK?”
“Yes. I mean, no. I mean…” I take a breath. “I wanted to tell you that I’m sorry I left our date in such a rush. I’m sorry you thought I was setting you up for a job. But I wasn’t. I really wasn’t. And I really hope you believe me-”
“Stop talking to him!” interrupts Sadie in a burst of fury, but I don’t move a muscle. Ed’s dark, serious gaze is on mine and I can’t tear my eyes away.
“I do believe you,” he says. “And I need to apologize too. I overreacted. I didn’t give you a chance. Afterward I regretted it. I realized I’d thrown away something… a friendship… that was…”
“What?” I manage.
“Good.” There’s a questioning look in his face. “I think we had something good. Didn’t we?”
This is the moment to nod and say yes. But I can’t leave it at that. I don’t want a good friendship. I want that feeling back, when he wrapped his arms around me and kissed me. I want him. That’s the truth.
“You want me just to be your… friend?” I force myself to say the words, and instantly I can see something change in Ed’s face.
“Stop it! Talk to me!” Sadie whirls over to Ed and screeches in his ear. “Stop talking to Lara! Go away!” For a moment he gets that distant look in his eye, and I can tell he’s heard her. But he doesn’t move. His eyes just crinkle into a warm, tender smile.
“You want the truth? I think you’re my guardian angel.”
“What?” I try to laugh, but it doesn’t quite come out right.
“Do you know what it’s like to have someone crash into your life with no warning?” Ed shakes his head reminiscently. “When you landed in my office, I was, like, Who the fuck is this? But you shook me up. You brought me back to life at a time when I was in limbo. You were just what I needed.” He hesitates, then adds, “You’re just what I need.” His voice is lower and darker; there’s something in his look which is making me tingle all over.
“Well, I need you too.” My voice is constricted. “So we’re even.”