Miranda's Big Mistake - Jill Mansell [101]
`Like an old watermelon?' suggested Miranda. This was better, this kind of banter she could handle.
Smiling slightly, Miles shook his head. `Why haven't I been able to stop thinking about you?'
`A good watermelon partner is hard to find.'
`The trouble is, you think I'm joking. And I'm not.' He was, he was, he was.
Oh crikey, wasn't he?
`Everybody's 1-looking at us,' Miranda stammered.
`So?'
`They're wondering what's going on.'
`Me too. I asked you out and you turned me down. Nobody's ever done that to me before.'
`You didn't ask me out. You got your friend to do it.'
Miles said sorrowfully, `Only because I'm so shy.'
Miranda jumped a mile as his arms slid around her waist.
`That isn't a very shy thing to do… eek!' She let out an undignified squeal as he pulled her against him. 'Neither's that!'
`I've been working hard to overcome it. My therapist says I'm making pretty good progress.'
`I'd say she's right.'
`But I have to persevere. Practice, that's what I need. Lots of practice.'
His mouth was moving closer. It was hard to struggle, Miranda discovered, when your whole body had turned to custard. She didn't have to look to know the kind of effect they were having on the rest of the salon - she could hear the gasps.
Oh Lord, unless that's me.
`You can't do this here!'
`I must. It's the next step of my rehabilitation.' His breath was warm against her cheek. `You want me to be cured, don't you?'
`But I'm embarrassed!'
`Oh dear,' said Miles. `You need to meet my therapist.' The kiss didn't happen. In a daze, Miranda found herself being dragged towards the back of the shop. A collective groan of disappointment went up around the salon as Miles
Harper bundled her through the first available door and kicked it shut behind him.
Quite masterfully, for such a shy man.
Bev, every bit as enthralled - and envious - as the rest of the clientele, rushed over to Fenn.
`Aren't you going to do anything?'
Fenn was cutting the hair of a new client, who was swivelled round in her chair gazing avidly at the closed door through which Miranda and Miles had disappeared.
`Like what?'
`Well… shouldn't you stop them?'
`Don't you dare!' exclaimed the new client. `It's the most romantic thing I've ever seen in my life.'
`But… but he's making a fool of her!'
`Why don't we leave them to it?' Fenn calmly carried on cutting. 'Miranda's had a miserable few weeks. If five minutes in the laundry room with Miles Harper cheers her up, that's fine by me.'
The client, her eyes still trained on the laundry room door, said happily, I'm so glad I came here. Free coffee in fancy cups, that's all you get at Nicky Clarke's.'
`There you go,' Fenn said drily. `We aim to please.'
`Look,' said Miranda, pulling away and hanging on to the tumble dryer for support, `I'm really flattered. This kind of thing hardly ever happens to me on a Tuesday morning. But I don't want you to kiss me.'
This was, of course, a big lie. What she really meant was, she didn't want him to think she was a complete pushover.
Miles Harper grinned and checked his watch.
`Okay. I have to go anyway. So, what time do you finish work?'
`Six. Why?'
`I'll pick you up.'
Something weird was happening to Miranda's lips; she could feel them buzzing with excitement, clamouring for the kiss she had so meanly denied them. Heavens, her lips had turned into shameless groupies…
`Unless of course you're busy.' Miles raised a challenging eyebrow. `Again.'
`Well…'
`Cooking fish fingers for your boyfriend, maybe.'
`Nothing like that,' said Miranda hurriedly. `But-'
`Good.' He stepped back, and winked. Almost as if he knew the effect he was having on her squealing adolescent lips. She clamped them together before their frantic squeaks could become audible.
`Thanks,' Miles told Fenn, depositing a dazed-looking Miranda back with him. `I'm glad we've got that sorted out.'
`Any time,' said Fenn.
By ten past six Miranda's