She glances past me and squints, “Is that?” then looksback to my raised brows. “Oh my God, it’s fucking Scott Knox, isn’t it? What the hell is Ash doing talking to him?”
“Don’t get wound up. Ash and Scott have always been friends and Ash isn’t going to ignore him because I’m around. I’d just prefer to wait here until Scott is gone.”
“It looks as if he’s already on his way,” she smiles at me, then mumbles, “arsehole” while staring back in his direction.
“Listen, I’m heading home. Do you want me to walk you back first? Ash said he’d take us both.”
“You don’t hang about madam, do you,” she giggles.
“Not like that.”
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t worry. You go for it. I’m hanging around here for a bit.”
“Ahh, the gorgeous Tommy must be working his charm. Am I right?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Oh, come on Ange. You like him and he’s giving you all the signals.”
“I don’t know. I’ve only just met the bloke. I’m not sure if anything will happen, but I love listening to him speak, he’s so laid back. And his voice, oh my God. It’s smooth as silk and bloody sexy.”
“Hmm, well, just make sure he gets you home safely,” I smile.
“I will, and the same applies to Ash, although I don’t doubt his intentions are good. I think he likes you, Cal.”
“I’m sure he will and—,” I look over to the bar where Ash is now standing with Dani and Tommy. As if he senses me looking, he turns around. His smile so beautiful, I could melt on the spot. “—if I’m honest, I like him too,” I admit without thinking, then turn back to Angie’s grinning face. “Just a shame Scott had to turn up.”
“Don’t let him ruin your night. If I spot Knoxie again, I can always rough him up for you.”
“Don’t you dare!” I giggle. “No, I’ll just have to avoid him around town. Apparently, he just got back from Nepal.”
“Fancy,” Angie rolls her eyes. “Just don’t give him another thought. It’ll make you all angsty. Go and enjoy yourself.”
I hug her as Tommy returns. “Hey Cal, you okay? Ash is a little worried about you. Said you bumped into someone you didn’t want to see.”
“Yeah, well, it looks as if he’s done one so we can get going,” I smile up at him. “Just make sure you look after my girl here, Tom. Okay?”
“No problem,” he winks, then gives a smouldering glance to Angie.
“Thanks, Tommy. I better catch up with Ash. I’ll see you two later.”
I’m pleased to see Angie with someone. Before we left for university, she had her heart broken by one particular boy. She hasn’t dipped her toes in the water too much since, so I hope she lets her hair down a little.
I leave her with a wave, pushing my way through the small crowd now gathering at the bar. The Black Pearl is not only a great place to eat but also a popular drinking hole. It’s getting on for 11pm, which is chucking out time for some bars.
I make my way over to Ash, who I know has spotted me from the corner of his eye because he breaks away from Dani to meet me. As we meet in the middle, I can’t help grinning like a lunatic because he is just so bloody gorgeous. His hand taking mine sparks goosebumps like an electric shock right through my centre. “You okay, Cal? I’m so sorry, but I didn’t know how to get rid of him. I had no clue he was back.”
“It’s okay. I understand Scott is your friend?—”
“You two heading off?”
I can’t believe I hear his voice again. My breath hitches, and when Ash glances my way, he must see the distress in my eyes. He answers the question for both of us. “Yeah, we’ve got somewhere to be, but we’ll catch up for that beer soon, yeah?” Ash scoops me away, hurriedly pushing past him, but my head spins when Scott catches my arm. I jump, causing him to let go immediately, but it’s Ash he directs his question to first.
“Can I just have a minute with Cal?”
Ash looks at me, clearly caught in the middle here, so I have to take the bull by the horns. Nothing bad can happen, there are too many people around, and I’m sure Ash won’t leave me altogether. I give a slight smile, “It’s okay Ash. I’ll be fine.”
“Sure?”
