Thai... Troubled — Heather Mar-Gerrison

"Has anyone ever told you that you look just like Q from James Bond?"
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I'd heard this about a million times over the last five years or so, since Ben Whishaw first played Q in Skyfall. I couldn't deny it. I did look quite a lot like him - I had glasses and dark unruly hair that never sat flat no matter what I did with it - and as nerdy as it sounds, I was kind of chuffed that my name could be shortened to Q...
I would never describe myself as handsome though - not like Ben Whishaw, who I thought was absolutely stunning. I looked up and sucked in a sharp breath. It was the tall, dark, exotic-looking dancer that I'd been crushing on for weeks. I was quite sure he was called Thai... And he was speaking to me! Was he actually hitting on me? Nah… probably not - but he thought I looked like Q! For once it wasn't annoying me to be compared to a super-geek.
I grinned at him. The music was pumping, the beat vibrating through my body and I was feeling really kind of mellow. I f***ing loved coming to this nightclub and tonight was no exception. Raising my voice so I could be heard over the music, I replied, "Uh, yeah - I've heard that once or twice."
He chuckled, his deep, almost musical laugh making my insides feel a little mushy. "And are you a mad, gadget-creating genius on the quiet - or do your talents lie elsewhere?" He shouted.
Oh, my God - he really was flirting with me! Flirting! With me! Where were all my mates to witness this amazing event?
Oh, yes - Franz was snogging the face off his boyfriend in the foyer - and all the others were no doubt in the bathrooms getting their rocks off with unsuspecting punters...
"I'm more your artistic type." I said back as loudly as I could. I might be studying physics but I really did love to draw and paint. I had about twenty sketches of him that I'd done from memory. Looking into those incredible eyes now, though, with his super long and curly eyelashes - it was more than obvious that I hadn't done him justice. I'd have to have another go when I got home...
Thai... Troubled is number 8 in the Studs & Steel Series and focuses on Thai and Quentin's love story.