"Grace, hang on". Rich tried his hardest to look her in the eye.
"I've got to go, Rich. Mini's waiting."
Rich rolled his eyes but tried to stay on task.
"D'you want to go out again? For a drink. Or whatever."
"Yeah, alright. Tonight. The Rhubarb, you're buying." Grace smiled and brushed her fingers against his hand, then she was gone.
Rich shrugged his bag onto his shoulder and went back to find Alo.
He wasn't sure how to feel, Grace had been quite stand offish with him but he didn't blame her, he'd been a total douche to her and maybe he deserved to squirm a bit.
Good for her, he thought, she's been listening – don't compromise.
But she had, hadn't she, she'd said yes. Maybe that was what she wanted all along. Girls were too complicated.
He found Alo in the library within spitting distance of "The Angel..." who was furiously stamping returned books. Rich didn't even dare look her way, not after the last tirade.
"Alright mate?"Alo tried to look nonchalant, his tapping foot giving the game away.
"Yeah, alright." Rich flopped onto the sofa beside Alo. "Going out with Grace tonight."
"Mate!" Alo punched his shoulder.
Rich allowed himself a quick smile.
"Yeah we're just going for a drink."
"First the drink and then all the sex." Alo grinned. "For me!"
"Yeah you wish claw boy." Rich nudged him
"You've got to promise, once you're in you've got to fix me up."
"Who with, Mini?"
"Anyone'll do – pulse optional."
"No worries mate, I'll get you a pretty little corpse."
"Sweet."