Leaning my elbows on the table, I couldn’t help steal another glance at the cafe door. I was meeting my friend Tom, then 26, after he’d been away in the US for nine months. I bit my lip nervously and ran my fingers through my hair, hoping it looked nice. Tom had been my friend for the past four years, so why did I feel so nervous?
We’d met in April 2020 at a clinic where I worked as a psychotherapist. Tom had joined a group session to help cope with anxiety. As a recovering alcoholic, I’d sought help five years before and trained in psychotherapy to help others like me. At the time, I was 47 and Tom was 23. He came to my group every week and we got along so well. We started going for coffee afterwards. We had loads in common, loved the same rock bands and both had a silly sense of humour.
Before long, we opened up about our personal lives. I confided in him that I’d just come out of a difficult relationship, had started looking after myself better, eating more healthily and had lost 3st. Our friendship was platonic, or so I thought.
When he told me he was going away to teach at Camp America for nine months, I was sorry that I wouldn’t see him. But as the months passed, I missed him more than I’d expected to. We’d kept in touch and now, in July 2023, I was so excited that he was back.
When he walked through the door, my stomach jolted.
‘It’s so good to see you,’ he said, giving me a big hug.
‘You look fantastic,’ I told him, taking in his tanned skin and toned shoulders. It was as if he’d grown from a boy to a man in nine months.
‘You look lovely too,’ he responded and I felt myself blush at his compliment.
Before long, we were chatting away like old times but something was different – there was a new, flirty vibe between us.
GIDDY FEELINGS
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on the gender gap, cats and timed hugs
Check out CHICAGO
With a spectacular skyline, sandy beaches and great food, the Windy City is calling, says Zoe West
LET'S EMBRACE OUR CHRISTMAS TAT!
Becky Dickinson explains why she'll still be rocking around her tinsel-strewn tree this year
BURIED SECRETS
We look at the shocking cases of celebrities posthumously accused of being sexual predators-and how they got away with it
FESTIVE NO-BAKES
Pop on the Christmas tunes and whip up a batch of these easy sweet treats
PROTECT YOUR SMILE
Are you doing enough to look after your teeth and gums?
'TIS THE SEASON TO SHINE!
At last, Hayley McCrossan, 39, feels fit and healthy
FOR THE LOVE OF TOM
When Deborah Mitchell, 57, lost her son, she vowed to help other families facing the same heartbreak
THE NURSE WHO LEFT MY GRANDAD FOR DEAD belict
Rachael Fealey, 31, had one question for the woman who killed her beloved Grampa - how could you?
Coleen's MONEY WORRIES
What are the reasons behind her financial and marriage fears?