‘Not like that,’ I added, even though I wasn’t sure any more whatthatwas.
He brightened. ‘Really? So I can buy you a drink without stepping on anyone’s toes?’
‘I can buy my own drink,’ I informed him. ‘And you shouldn’t talk about women like that. We don’t belong to anyone, so the whole stepping on someone’s toes by moving in on their turf thing, is just distasteful.’
He looked thoughtful as he processed my words, then nodded. ‘Noted. And I apologize. I didn’t mean to offend you.’
I smiled. ‘I know. That’s why I haven’t walked away yet.’
He grinned, back to his cocksureness. ‘Well, can I sit beside you while you drink the drink that you bought yourself? Is that allowed?’
I flicked a look back at the table. Hannah was still there; she and Jack had their heads together and looked deep in earnest conversation.
‘You know what?’ I said, facing Dion again. ‘Sure. You can join us.’
‘Us?’
‘Yeah, Me, Jack and Hannah.’ I gestured with a nod of my head. ‘We’ve already ordered, but if you’re hungry I’m sure the kitchen can add to the order, right, Fiona?’
‘I think we can manage that.’ Her expression was unreadable. I knew what she was thinking. But as far as I was concerned, if it was OK for Hannah join us, surely Jack wouldn’t have a problem if Dion joined us too? It would at least give me someone to talk to while Hannah tripped down memory lane with Jack. But as we made our way back to the table, we heard raised voices, before Hannah suddenly stormed off. It was too late to take back the invitation then though.
‘Dion,’ Jack said, his tone clipped. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘He’s joining us,’ I said, answering for him as I took my seat again, and Dion dragged an extra chair over, slotting it beside mine. ‘Is that OK?’
Jack’s eyes scrutinized mine, as if trying to figure out what game I was playing. But I wasn’t playing a game, I just wasn’t happy to sit there and be the third wheel while he and Hannah reminisced about the past.
‘Of course,’ he said. ‘Although, we’ve already ordered, so…’
‘Not a problem,’ Dion said cheerfully. ‘Fiona added my order onto yours at the bar. It might be a little delayed, but I’m all good with that. It’ll give Taylor more time to school me on my toxic, masculine ways.’
I laughed, as Jack looked understandably confused. ‘Are you here on your own, Dion?’ he asked abruptly. ‘You’re not meeting someone?’
‘Nah. I was planning on heading out to my sister’s for dinner, but decided to pop in here first for a drink.’
‘Shouldn’t you get going then, if Kate’s expecting you?’
Dion smiled at me. ‘I already messaged her and told her I got a better offer.’
‘You didn’t tell me you had plans already with your sister,’ I scolded him. ‘You should have said you were busy. I feel bad for stealing you away now.’
He shrugged. ‘Well don’t. She invites me to dinner at least three times a week.’ He held up his hands. ‘I have magic hands, see. My niece, River, and nephew, Bodhi, are a handful. My brother-in-law is in real estate and works nights a lot. She likes it when I’m there because the kids don’t argue as much when I put them to bed, like they do with her.’
He leaned closer, his lips near my ear. ‘My secret is to tickle them. The giggling wears them out and then they crash asleep quicker. Are you ticklish, Taylor?’
‘You’ll never know.’
His eyes sparkled with mischief. ‘I like a challenge.’
I felt the weight of Jack’s glare as Fiona approached our table with plates of food balanced delicately on her arms.
‘Scallops with angel hair pasta for you, Taylor,’ she said placing it down in front of me. It looked, and smelled, incredible.
She looked quizzically at Jack. ‘Where’s Hannah? I have her warm lamb salad.’
‘Upstairs.’
‘Is she coming back?’
