Absolutely, utterly, completely embarrassed...
Oh God Oh God...don't stop talking, please don't....He's smiling, and he's looking...hope to goodness I have no lipstick on my teeth...and my mascara, oh I rushed this morning...
She shifted slightly, restlessly...but a tiny movement under his gaze and still looked at him steadily, wishing he would say more, watching the smile which had now broadened and yet was so gentle, almost afraid.
'I'm so sorry, please I am. I did not mean to disturb you. I was ...erm, well I was just waiting for someone. A friend, a girlfriend...I mean.. and..'
Those last words, just a tad too quick perhaps. Oh this was such a lovely moment, such a lovely set of eyes and a beautiful mouth, just waiting for me to continue and I was going to ruin it...
He smiled again, sensing my discomfort, 'Really, really, it's no bother to me at all. You can wait here and you really look like you could do with a coffee...I'm getting another anyway, so please...I'll bring one over for you.'
Knowing my objection was imminent...and particularly strong , he stood immediately and walked without a backwards glance to the counter, leaving me mid 'No thankyou .'
He had just completely taken my words and thrown them away. A man had actually done that to me and...and not even waited for a look, not even made a glance...
Part of me began to simmer with his assumption and control, yet there was more to this than an act of masculine forthrightness...as I remembered his eyes and the way he was looking and the shielded timidity of his expression.
Flipping open my hand mirror, I did a quick check...just in case...would have to do, was not expecting this meeting with such an intriguing man and I realised my heart was pounding so hard...it was inconceivable people could not see it through my top; it felt like it was bursting out of my bra! This was ridiculous.
Stop being such a fool you stupid girl ...’ realising I had muttered aloud I attempted a sophisticated and dignified poise before his return. Lowering the mirror, how wrong could I be.
'Hope you don't mind latte,' he said, politely, leaning over as he placed it on the table; his jacket just brushing delicately along the hem of my skirt; that smile dancing lightly once again at the corners of his mouth.
'I love latte, thank you. It's my favourite coffee.' I knew I was smiling and the warmth of my blushes began to recede, yet the crazy heart action hammering my ribcage was really beginning to alarm me. I could not reach for the coffee...I could not trust myself to pick it up without revealing my lack of composure; without falling into a giggling outburst.
He knew. He was waiting. I still held the gaze until finally I could bear it no longer and my smiles began to move as the giggles tumbled out, realising for one of the first times in my life I felt ridiculously happy, yet was unable to say why. Sitting infront of this man, this stranger who still watched attentively, feeling so certain of his understanding as his smiles began to mirror mine and the pair of us, causing several looks of disapproval, gently giggled our way through our latte, settling comfortably ...