For nearly two hours Max had stayed at the pub, the laughter of the women grating at his ears. He couldn’t leave. Something was holding him there and it wasn’t his mates. He longed to go over to speak to Zoe. But, he had no idea what to say, and since she’d busted his balls already, he wasn’t about to go back and make a fool of himself. Again.
He wasn’t the sort who apologised. But they were the words building on his tongue.Why?he asked himself. Because he could hear her talking, her loud voice, sweet and confident, and now a little beer affected. She sounded like a fun woman to be with, and he wasn’t thinking in the sexual way, not fully.
“Max, mate, what’s her name?’ Sam’s words slurred slightly as he spoke, his breath heavy with alcohol and yeast. His wife was going to bust his balls tonight when he made it back to the caravan park where his family were staying.
Zoe. He nearly said her name out loud. But that would be stupid. Even though it was the truth. In all likelihood, after he finished this beer, he would leave here and not see that woman again. He glanced over his shoulder and saw her sitting on the stool, laughing with her friends. Jealousy stabbed at him. He wanted to be the one talking to her, laughing and building a rapport to see what sort of path that would lead down.
“Her.” Sam swung his arm over Max’s shoulder. “Listen, mate, she ain’t going to give you anything if you sit here sulking over ya beer.” He turned his head. “Ain’t that right, Nick?”
“What?”
“I said—”
“Hey, do you think it’s time to go?” Max interrupted quickly. He didn’t need another scene in the pub.
“Not yet. Though I’m in control, and this is the last one.”
“Sure it is.” Max didn’t believe Sam. It didn’t matter. This was one time of the year they got together for some downtime.
“You saying I’m a liar?”
“No, mate.” He patted Sam on the back.
“Good. You’re not a bad bloke, though others might say otherwise.” He raised his glass to Max.
“Thanks, Sam.” Max clinched his mug of beer against Sam’s. He took a sip, it was warm liquid and not as nice as when the beer was icy cold. He was nursing this last beer, his head was blurry at the edges and he wanted to keep in control. As much as he could with Zoe in the same room as him. She was so close. About ten strides away if he were brave enough to take them.I’m not.Though, he couldn’t help thinking that he might be if he gave it a little longer. If he sat there on the stool, sipping his beer, his courage would return.I should be brazen. But he was. Sort of. He offered his help when he saw them in the barn trying to wash her foot and he was shot down by her. He’d never had that happen before.
Safer to sit here, finish my beer then go.
He should go and check on his cattle soon. But he didn’t move. He’d slowed down on the beer, Sam and Nick hadn’t, and they were having a right old time talking crap. He listened with one ear to them, joining in, so they didn’t think he was all broken-hearted.
Sam had now moved over to say something to Nick. They were both happy drunks, and not so bad to be around. Max took a gulp of his beer.
Best get this over with.He would give her one more go. When he finished this beer. He stared down into the amber liquid, a little froth on the top.
Max looked up from his beer to see Zoe coming towards him. He needed to end this drought with women, and he knew just the woman to do that with.Could he swallow his pride so that it could happen?He felt uncomfortable with each step closer she came. Her dress moving gracefully around her legs, a look of determination on her face that both scared and aroused him.
“I’m sorry.” The words blurted out before he could refuse to ever say them.
Zoe froze on the spot. Her forehead wrinkled slightly as if she were thinking, her expression endearing.
Max swallowed hard.I’ve done it now. I’ve really frightened her off.
“I thought you didn’t apologise.” It was a statement, soft and clear, which added to the tension between them. He could feel it. The electricity grew in the air. The negative build-up of electrons were reaching a point which would soon result in sparks being fired off. He liked it. This feeling of strength and power, and that there was a woman who could meet him in such a commanding way.
“It’s a one-time thing, take it or leave it.”
“I’ll take it.”
“Wise choice.” Relief flooded through him.So far so good.I can do this.Talking with someone as strong and stubborn as himself wasn’t going to be easy. He liked a challenge, but Zoe could well be out of his league in so many ways.
“Take a seat, I’ll get you a beer.”
“I can get one myself.”
“Consider it part of the apology.” He signalled to the barman. “On the tab.”
“You get special treatment here then?” she asked.
