May
“It didn’t take too longafter that for the client to pay the bill and that was the last we heard from them.”
I sat back and finished the final dregs of my coffee, wondering what the hell to respond with. Maya worked for another law firm and we’d met several times before at various events and socials. She was tall and dark haired, with long legs and what I thought were probably fake tits. We’d been out on three dates, nothing too intense or intimate, just a couple of meals and an evening bowling. I figured she was around my age and she’d divorced a couple of years ago, no kids.
Asking her out hadn’t been a problem. I’d only been seeing Andrea a couple of years and before that dating had been fairly easy. I hadn’t been hit with the ugly stick and I could hold a conversation, although that was something I was struggling to do right now because there was absolutely no chemistry and all we’d talked about was work.
“I was wondering if you wanted to come back to mine? I’ve got a bottle of red in that a client gave me after a case, if you’d like to share.”
I put my cup down and wondered at which point I’d turned into a gentleman. Before Andrea I’d have been there like a shot given the opportunity for a fuck, no matter how good it ultimately was, but right now, I’d rather go home and whatever sport was on the TV. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m up early tomorrow for rugby training,” I said, giving her what I hoped was a friendly smile.
Maya nodded, although her smile back was forced. “Are you sure I can’t tempt you?”
I wanted to tell her maybe next time, but that wasn’t true and I didn’t want to build up her hopes. She was a pleasant woman, attractive and intelligent but I wasn’t going to go there. “I really should get going.”
My phone beeped as I gestured for the bill, a message rather than an email. I figured it would be one of the Callaghans or another friend wanting company on a Friday night. There was a strong possibility that it was Seph or Callum and their night had gone wrong and they needed a rescue becausethathadn’t happened before.
“I’ll get this,” I said as the waiter returned with the bill.
“Let’s split it.” Maya waved her hand. “You don’t need to pay for me.”
“Honestly,” I said. “I’d rather get it. I have three sisters and if any of them were out for a meal with a man, I’d kick his ass if he didn’t pay for them.”
She laughed. “I love how you’re so old fashioned. What time are you playing rugby?”
We weren’t actually playing a game, just training, but I had planned on a spending a good part of the morning asleep, then at the gym with Max, and Killian O’Hara, Max and Ava’s soon to be brother-in-law. Weekends alone had started to be something I looked forward to, although even when Andrea and I had been dating, the weekends we’d actually spent together had become rare towards the end.
“I’m meeting Max and a couple of others at eleven,” I said, keeping it vague. I had a feeling she’d push again for me to go back to hers and I really wasn’t feeling it. Since April there had only been one woman I’d wanted to go home with and that wasn’t happening any time soon.
My phone beeped again and then started to ring, vibrating in my pocket. “Do you mind if I get this? It’s weird for anyone to call this late.”
“Go ahead,” she said, gesturing politely then reaching for her own phone.
I spotted the name as soon as I pulled my phone out. Ava.
“Hey,” I said. I had seen her a few times since staying at hers after Max and Victoria’s house warming but not really to talk to. She’d been meeting Payton or Seph and heading off for drinks elsewhere or they had some function to go to. I’d had a smile from her each time and a hug that I’d imagined had lasted a little too long, but nothing more. It had been three nights and that was it and I needed to forget about it.
“You look bored.”
I looked around. “How do you know?”
She giggled quietly and I figured she was nearby. “I have you tagged and cameras watching you at all times…”
“Ava, where are you?”
“I’m at the bar. I’m not stalking you, I promise. Shall I come interrupt your date?”
I saw Maya stand up and look around for me and immediately felt like an utter shit. She was dignified and bright and exactly what I should be looking to make something with. But it wasn’t there. Not like with the girl on the other end of the line.
“Let me say goodbye and then I’ll meet you at another bar,” I said. “Who are you with?”
There was a peal of soft laughter. “A date as well, although that’s probably not the right name for it. Disaster’s more appropriate.”
I laughed back. “How about Jack’s Bar?” I named a cocktail bar not far from the restaurant. “Give me five minutes.”
“I’ll see you there.”
Maya didn’t ask any questions about the phone call; nor did she try for a kiss outside the restaurant or offer to share a cab. She was perfectly pleasant as she had been during all three dates and I kicked myself for not at least trying more to engage with and see if any chemistry developed.
