Sorrell flicked her gaze between the two of them. “Seriously? We’re playing this game? You’re both adults? Why can’t you just get along? No one’s asking you to marry each other and have babies!”
The image of Scott holding a tiny baby to his bare chest fluttered into Keren’s mind. She tried to push it away but her ovaries were insistent on clinging to it.
“In fact,” Sorrell continued, “Scott, go to your table. You’re at opposite sides of the restaurant. Do not spoil each other’s evenings!”
Lena, Sorrell’s assistant manager appeared, looking fairly amused and offered to show Scott to a seat, picking up his martini. He stalked after her, leaving Keren with a view of his wide back and tight ass, his dark wavy hair neatly combed back into a low man bun.
“You know, anyone watching your face right wouldn’t think you hated him,” Sorrell whispered. “In fact, what I’m reading from you right now, is that you wouldn’t mind breaking your dry spell on that man.”
“Wash your mouth out,” Keren said. “I admit he’s absolutely gorgeous but he’s also a complete tool.”
Sorrell gave her a look that made Keren feel like scratching.
“Your date’s here and he looks dashing,” Sorrell said. “In fact, if I was single I’d stare a lot at that and drool.”
Keren turned to the doorway and saw Oliver entering. He’d gone for the slacks and shirt option too, wearing it completely different to Scott.
He shot her a smile as he entered and she got the feeling that tonight was going to be a lot of fun.
“So how come you moved back to Severton after you finished your degree?” Oliver said, adding some chutney to his cheese. Dentally, he’d made good, low sugar choices all evening, she’d noticed. Unlike Scott’s date, who had opted for the full fat, sugar loaded deconstructed pavlova for dessert. Not that Keren was paying any attention to what Scott’s date was doing. Or at least that was what she was trying to tell herself.
“I grew up here,” she said. “And I like it. I like how everyone knows everyone and it’s supportive. I suppose it’s where I wanted to start a family so my kids could have the same sort of childhood I did. And Rayah’s here.”
“You had a lot of reasons,” he nodded. “I get how you like it here. It’s nice to feel part of a community. I worked for one of the big accountancy practices in the city and it was anonymous. I know my trade is considered dull, but I did like meeting clients and being able to help. You must get that with your job.”
She nodded. “I always wanted to be dentist. I can’t tell you why – I didn’t have any specific dental encounters when I was younger. But I like the whole helping people, although sometimes I have to put them through pain first.”
“Like Scott the other night,” Oliver said with a laugh. “I don’t think he could work out whether he was in more pain before or after.”
“More after. Especially if he didn’t keep up with the pain meds.” He hadn’t come back in for a check-up like she’d advised, but that was his problem. “Although it will feel better now.”
“He’s managing to talk okay. And he looks human. If one more person had referred to him as being a hamster, I think he was going to rearrange all of their teeth.”
Keren would’ve laughed if she wasn’t so irritated. “He’s such a man child,” she said. “Growls like a bear and fights like one too. You wouldn’t believe he trained as a classical musician on a scholarship.”
Oliver raised his brows. “I didn’t know that. I mean, obviously I know he’s an extremely good guitarist and his voice is amazing, but I had no idea he was professionally trained.”
Keren nodded, feeling tightness in her chest. She wondered if the pastry from her main meal had given her indigestion. “None of the Maynards wanted to go to university, but their dads didn’t give them a choice. Scott studied music at the Royal Northern, although he should’ve gone to a place in London.”
“How long have you known them? Scott and his brothers?”
“Since forever. Scott was three years above me in school. Jake and Zack are a year older. Alex is two years younger and Rayah a year older than him. I remember hearing Scott sing when I was seven in the Christmas concert and I think I cried. He’s been making me cry ever since. Anyway,” she said, completely irritated now at talking so much about Scott. “Tell me about you. Where did you go to uni?”
They’d finished dessert and were half way through coffee when Keren’s pleasant date was disturbed. She’d been surprised that Scott hadn’t done anything to interrupt them, keeping half an eye on him and Patsy, the new doctor at the town surgery, making sure he wasn’t about to send her running away from Severton.
“How was your dinner?” Scott leaned over them, giving them both a wide smile, only the one for her had extra teeth.
“Really good,” Oliver said, standing up and shaking Scott’s hand. “Not as good as my company though.” Oliver then smiled at her, a dimple showing.
She was a sucker for dimples, but for whatever reason, Oliver’s dimple wasn’t quite reaching the parts that mattered most.
“I’d be putting a complaint in about the food then,” Scott said. His eyes dared her to argue; instead she laughed as if it was all a big joke.
“How’s your date?” Keren asked. “I haven’t spoken to her yet – she’s the new doctor, isn’t she?”
Scott nodded. “She is indeed. We’re heading off to the bar. Be good to see you there, Oliver.”
Keren noticed that she wasn’t included in the invite.
