‘No.’
‘Then why can’t you talk to me?’
He went inside, leaving her staring up at the sky.
It was such a lovely night, and she could never have nipped out and taken notes, for as she listened to the speeches his name was quite a regular occurrence.
Hector announced that the game was near completion and would be available in the New Year, to thunderous applause.
‘I can’t wait!’ Dora clapped the loudest.
Roula honestly was bemused. Did she not even know she’d been playing it all this time?
It would seem that this man did a lot of good in the world.
But a rather more hard-ass PA might be required for a man trying to set up a financial system that would work in an impoverished part of the planet. Or when society collapsed and fiat currency was worth nothing...
That brilliant brain, Roula thought.
They were all applauding as Hector returned to his seat, and she went out to the loo for a little cry and checked her phone.
Catch up later?
He had a nerve. That was her second thought.
Her first was,Yes, please.
Except she’d be a terrible catch-up girl. She’d cry over Kupia Florakis, or confess her undying love, or admit that her period was late.
And so she didn’t answer.
Galen didn’t seem bothered by her lack of response.
‘Hey, Dora, come and dance,’ he said.
She watched as he danced with Dora. Clearly the ball was her night of nights.
Galen danced with all the women at the table, in fact, and Roula danced with Nico, and then had to make a dash away from him because she had a dreadful feeling that he was about to ask her out.
She gulped water.
‘Come on,’ Galen said, taking her hand. ‘You haven’t turned him down?’
‘He hasn’t asked yet.’ She breathed out. ‘I managed to get away.’
‘We can dance two dances,’ Galen said. ‘I did three with Dora, two with the lady who smells of roses, so we have a clear run.’
‘Good.’
‘Can I ask you something?’ Galen said, and he felt her stiffen in his arms.
‘Of course,’ she said.
‘Do you think Hector and Dora...?’
‘No...’ She looked over and saw they were dancing. ‘Maybe...’
‘Please, no,’ Galen said. ‘It would be hell having them both pushing me for the next game.’ Then he told her a something, that he hoped would show he trusted her more than anyone. ‘She does deserve to be happy, though. Talk to Dora sometime.’