* * *
“I’d love another drink, Ben,”Suzie responded, giving Ben one of those coy smiles she had started directing his way lately. “But not a beer. A water will do fine.” She giggled, and Spence cringed, wondering exactly when she’d started to annoy him so much.
He couldn’t help but notice her slightly odd behaviour lately and wondered if the others were picking up on it too. It was in all the little smiles, the glances, and the constant touches she gave Ben. He was sure she hadn’t always been this way, and she most definitely wasn’t that way toward him. Suzie hardly spared Spence more than a passing comment when Ben was around.Jealous much?
“Sure, Suzie, water it is,” Ben said, but Spence jumped up.
“It’s okay, I’ve got it. You sit, and I’ll get the drinks.” It was irrational, given that Ben was just playing good host, but there was no way he was letting Ben wait on Suzie hand and foot. Spence forced a smile. “Anyone else?”
“Another beer would be great,” Cam answered, but Mel shook her head, indicating her wine glass, which was still half-full.
Suzie looked kind of annoyed that Spence was bringing her the water instead of Ben. She was a rather pretty redhead, but the scowl gave her a pinched look. Noticing him looking at her, she changed her expression, giving him a half-smile as he headed to the kitchen. He shook his head as he walked towards the fridge.Maybe I’m just reading into it and should give her the benefit of the doubt?
The last guy Suzie had been all over was Paul, but they had broken up the previous month, and it was mainly since then that Suzie had turned her charms on Ben. Paul had left Suzie to accept a job in London, something in finance, Spence thought, but couldn’t really remember the details because Paul hadn’t been around that long or spent much time with the group. He and Suzie, being in the early stage of their romance, had preferred to spend their time together alone, but from what he’d seen, he thought the two of them made a great couple.
Finally, Spence decided that he actually felt kind of sorry for Suzie. Back when they were at school, Suzie had shown a mild interest in Ben, but it hadn’t been reciprocated. He had a feeling that she’d never entirely gotten over that attraction. It must be hard having had a crush on Ben all these years, then thinking she had finally found someone to replace him—from what Mel had said, Susie had been head over heels for Paul—only to be alone again.
Spence’s chest tightened. He definitely understood the unrequited love part.
