I laughed loudly. “Both.”

We stared at each other, smiling. It lasted a long moment before Trev glanced back at the restaurant and muttered, “Oh, shit.”

I frowned. “What’s wrong?”

He looked back at me. “We both just left without paying.”

“Crap! Okay, let’s go back in and explain.”

Trev grabbed my hand, halting my progress. When I glanced up at him I recognised the shine of mischief in his eyes. “Oh no, don’t even think about it.”

“Come on. You’ve never dined and dashed, and believe it or not, neither have I. It’s a new thing for both of us. Let’s do it.”

I stared him down firmly. “Trevor, no.”

He peered over my shoulder. “Reya.”

“What?”

“Hey, you two!” came a voice.

“Run!”

My heart pounded when he tugged on my hand. I didn’t know if it was fear, adrenaline, or the simple desire not to be arrested for walking out of a restaurant without paying, but I ran. I ran as fast as my legs would carry me, until the man’s shouts faded and we’d made it back to the tube station. It wasn’t until we were sitting on a carriage that I finally calmed down. I felt awful though, and determined to find out the name of the girl who’d been waiting our table and anonymously send her money for the meal.

“Where are we going now?”

Trev made a tutting sound. “Wait and see, nosy knickers. It’s a surprise.”

A half hour later we stood in front of steps that led down to a public toilet. Yes, you didn’t mishear me. A public toilet. Above the steps was a sign that read “Ladies & Gents”.

“Good God, do I even want to know what we’re doing here?” I asked. “If you say we’re meeting a stranger to A.) buy drugs or B.) engage in an act of public indecency, I’m going to have to unfriend you forever and ever, Amen.”

“Oh, don’t be such a drama queen. You’re going to love this,” Trev chided and stood behind me. He gripped each of my shoulders and ushered me down the steps. I moved forward at a wary pace, experiencing a few moments of misgiving before I stepped down into what appeared to be a tiny pub. In spite of the old bathroom tiles on the wall, it was sort of adorable. I twisted around to eye my friend. He winked. “Bet you never had a drink in a public bathroom before.”

“This is nuts. How have I never known this was here?”

Trev tipped the side of his nose. “It’s London’s best kept secret.”

I scoffed. “I should hope London has some better kept secrets than this, otherwise she’s definitely letting the side down.”

“Oh, she has many more, don’t you worry. She’s a secretive old hussy is our London,” said Trev.

Laughing, we each took a seat by the bar and I scanned the cocktail menu. “I think we should both try a new drink.”

“Good idea,” said Trev before slamming his hand down on the counter. “Barkeep! Bring us two of the most potent cocktails on your menu.”

The guy behind the bar smirked at Trev’s antics as he used a dishcloth to dry a glass. “If you’re after a Cosmo, you only have to ask. I’m sure your lovely lady friend here won’t think you less of you.”

I gasped a tiny breath at his cheekiness and looked him up and down. He was hot, if you were into bearded hipsters. Trev didn’t bat an eyelash.

“Believe me, sir, if I wanted a Cosmo, I’d order a Cosmo. My lady friend is well aware of all my manly attributes.”

I glanced at him and raised an eyebrow. “Am I?”

“Last summer, Camber Sands, my towel very inconveniently slipped when I was changing out of my swimming trunks, allowing you to cop quite a delightful eyeful.”

I did my best to hide my blush, because it was true. I’d seen Trev’s manhood in all its glory, and though it had only been a flash, it was enough to let me know he was well-endowed.

“The delightfulness is yet to be confirmed.”

Trev’s eyes glittered as he leaned closer. “Is that a challenge?” His breath hit my skin and I needed a subject change, pronto. I turned to the barman.

“So, any drinks suggestions?”

He pursed his lips, thinking about it. “Either of you ever tried The Zombie?”

“That sounds suitably morbid and extreme. We’ll have two,” Trev announced.

“Hold up. I want to know what’s in it first.”

“Three different types of rum, lime juice, falernum, angostura bitters, pernod, grenadine, cinnamon syrup and grapefruit juice.” The barman lifted a finger for each listed ingredient.

I grimaced. “I honestly can’t decide if that sounds revolting or delicious.”

Trev nudged me with his elbow. “You’ll just have to try it and find out.”

He eyed me meaningfully, and I knew it was a silent reminder of what tonight was all about. New experiences. Right. “Okay, but if I get an ulcer you’ll be nursing me back to health.”

Trev smiled widely. “Well, duh! I look fab in a nurse’s uniform. Starched out white’s my colour.”

A few minutes later the barman set our drinks down and I lifted mine, first taking a sniff. It was definitely potent. When I took a tentative sip it burned but in a good way. Trev let out a hoot after he downed a long gulp.

The barman shot me a little grin. “Well, what do you think?”

“I imagine it’s an acquired taste,” I answered and he chuckled, his expression warming in a way that made me wonder if he fancied me. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t the sort of woman who went around thinking every bloke fancied her just because they were friendly. But I did have my audience, as most of us do. There was a certain sort of man who found me attractive, and I was beginning to think Mr Barman was one of them.

“I’m Ash, by the way,” he said and held his hand out across the bar to me. I shook with him, aware of Trev’s attention all the while.

“Reya.”

“And I’m Trevor,” my friend finished. “Now we’re all on first name terms. How splendid.” If I wasn’t mistaken, I thought there was a hint of annoyance in his tone.

Ash nodded to him then quickly brought his attention back to me.

“So Reya, do you live around here?”