I walked up to him, wrapped my arms around his shoulders, and kissed him, opening his mouth with my tongue. I tried to put all that I was feeling into the kiss. “I’m with you.”
“About bloody time,” Nolan muttered, and Morgan chuckled against my lips.
“What was that, Nolan? I didn’t quite catch it.” I grinned.
“Ah, nothing. You two carry on,” he replied, getting back to work and moving further away.
I leaned back in and kissed Morgan again. “I’d better go. I’ll text you when I get home.”
“Okay. Have fun.” I left him smiling and watching me walk away, so I added a little extra sway to my hips.
We went to the first pub we saw when we got out of the car and headed straight to the bar. It was already busy. We were just turning, drinks in hand, to look for a table when I heard, “Bugatti! Over here.” I turned to see an old friend of mine, Sully Jenkins waving at me from a table of men in the back of the room.
“Guess we’ve found a place to sit.” Betty smiled and, forgetting about me and Lauren, started to walk quickly over to the group. They slid into the red and gold fabric booth next to a group of very eager men.
“Andie Bugatti, been a long time. Saved you a seat.” Sully motioned to an empty space next to him.
It was so good to see him. I hadn’t seen him since I had moved to the US with the second husband. We spent the nexttwo hours catching up. I told him about the ex-husbands, and he told me he had settled down from his wild days and was now married with three kids and had his own business.
The group was getting rowdier the more alcohol that was being consumed. I had been shouted at to smile so many times for photos to be taken on mobile phones, that my cheeks were starting to hurt.
“I have to use the toilet,” I called to Sully, who was chatting to one of his friends.
I indicated where I was going to Betty and Lauren. They, of course, went with me. Thankfully, there wasn’t a long queue for the ladies, and I nipped into the toilet. Betty and Lauren had taken the ones either side of me. I came out, washed my hands, and checked my phone whilst waiting for the other two. I had a text from Morgan.
M: Looks like you’re having fun!
Along with the photo of me and Sully.
In the picture, Sully was talking to me, and I had my head turned, laughing at him. From the angle, it did look like we were about to kiss. Fuck, someone had put them on social media. Morgan must be friends with one of Sully’s friends. I texted back immediately. The photo didn’t look good, but it was all innocent.
A: He’s just an old friend I haven’t seen in a while.
M: Yeah, an old friend, right. Does this one have benefits too?
Shit, he was pissed off, and really, I couldn’t blame him. I wouldn’t have been happy if I’d had the same picture but withMorgan and another girl. I gave up with the texting, it was taking too long, and tried to call him instead. His phone just rung and rung. I got another text from Morgan.
M: Don’t bother. I can’t answer, I’m out with the boys. Guess I’ll see you at work. Have fun with your friend.
I paced across the bathroom floor; I didn’t want to leave things like that. I knew that Brooke had cheated on him and how hurt he was as Kate had told me she was worried about him just after I had moved back home. I also knew he was feeling self-conscious and jealous, and it didn’t help that I couldn’t take that step and commit fully.
I wanted him, but didn’t want him, or not that I didn’t want him, I just didn’t want a relationship, I didn’t want that label again. It always got torn away, just when I gave it my all. Fuck, my head was spinning, it was complicated, but he was a good man—a great man—and I didn’t want to hurt him. I didn’t want him going to bed that night thinking I had been with someone else.
I texted my car service. “Girls, I have to go. I’m sorry. I have to see Morgan,” I told Lauren and Betty.
“Yeah, you go get some.” Betty wiggled her eyebrows and laughed.
“You two are getting along well. I’m happy for you.” Lauren gave me a hug and a warm smile.
I let them think I was going home to bed him. “Can’t keep my hands off him. You two be safe. Use the car service when you need it. Text you tomorrow.”
The car was waiting for me when I left the pub. Nerves ran through me all the way to Morgan’s local pub. I fidgeted in my seat, wringing my hands together and tugging at the seatbeltwhich suddenly felt too tight around me. I must have checked my phone over a dozen times on the way to the pub just to see if he had replied to me, but he hadn’t.
The closer we got to the pub the more my nerves grew, the butterflies in my stomach had turned into stampeding elephants. By the time I stepped out of the car, I was a nervous ball of energy. I needed to show him that I was with him. Only him. Even if all I could offer was friends with benefits.
I entered the pub and walked towards the bar area. It was a quiet night with only a few older men dotted around, and then Morgan’s group in the corner. Baz saw me first; he nudged Morgan, then nodded my way. The whole group turned and looked at me. Wolf whistles and catcalling emanated from the table. I lifted my chin, squared my shoulders, and walked to Morgan.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, his jaw tight and his eyes cold.
