“How do you want me to greet you? This isn’t all about me.”
His grin broadened. “That’s where you’re wrong. How do you want me to greet you? A hug? A kiss? A slap on the arse?”
“Save the last one for when we’re in private.” There was no point in acting all coy about that. She’d enjoyed his dominant play and he knew it. “Let’s stick with a hug. Keep it low key.”
There was a flicker of something like disappointment across his face, barely there but she saw it and felt her heart tug inside her chest.
“I just think that…”
“It’s fine, Key. Don’t worry. You’re probably right. People can think it’s exactly what it is, just something casual.” He patted her shoulder. “I should help Abby. I think tonight’s going to be busy.”
Scott wasn’t wrong. The bar was packed out for no particular reason, it was just one of those nights where everyone seemed to want to be there. The quizzes were usually good fun but they did get competitive with the regular teams. She and Rayah joined whoever was there from Zack and Sorrell, Alex if he wasn’t on shift and Jonny if he could get a sitter. Jake occasionally turned out and recently Patsy had been joining them too.
Tonight Oliver was there also. It wasn’t awkward; neither of them had discussed their dates and the lack of follow up. The chemistry wasn’t there which was a shame as he had kind of been what she was looking for.
But there was no way she could hurt Scott.
And therein lay the problem.
If things didn’t work out between them, knowing that he’d pretty much carried a torch for her since they were teenagers, she wouldn’tbe able to have a relationship with anyone else in Severton for months, if not years. It would be too awkward.
Maybe it had been a mistake sleeping with him.
Keren looked over the to the bar, the smooth, stained wood that she knew Scott treated himself and was pretty much his pride and joy, except for his guitar collection and the clarinet. He was talented with the clarinet and she wondered if all of the tonguing had helped him skill himself up for other types of tonguing.
“Anyone want another drink?” she asked, needing to leave the chatter of her friends. Rayah and Jonny were discussing going paragliding at the weekend and it seemed that Patsy was quite keen to give it a go. Keren knew that there was no way in hell she’d be able to do that with being in even more discomfort than she was now: her bruises were luckily covered by her clothes; else she’d have been scaring the small child whose tooth she’d filled that morning.
“Same again,” Rayah said. “Jon?”
Keren rolled her eyes. Rayah was the only person who called him Jon.
“Thank you, a pint please.”
She ended up with a repeat order and made her way to the bar. Scott was serving with Abby and the new bartender, making up a couple of cocktails for a pair of girls.
“I didn’t realise this place existed, otherwise I’d have been in here so many times already,” the blonde girl said.
“Definitely.” Her companion was strikingly pretty; golden hair and huge blue eyes. Keren didn’t recognise her or her teeth. “Although I wouldn’t have come in here for the drinks.”
Blondie laughed. “That’s about as subtle as a skid mark, Louisa.”
“I have no idea what she’s trying to say.” Keren heard Scott say. “So it must have been very subtle.”
Blondie laughed and elbowed her friend.
“I heard you play guitar?” she said.
“Yeah,” Scott tossed the shaker, doing the tricks Keren had seen him do a thousand times. “I’ve been told I’m good with my fingers.” He gave Goldilocks a wink and Keren wanted to explode.
She checked herself. There was no reason to be jealous. They hadn’t agreed any exclusivity and there had been no promises made. But still, she expected a little bit more than him flirting when she was in the bar. Maybe she should’ve gone on a third date with Oliver, despite having the kiss with Scott. Clearly, they had no future and it wasn’t going to work.
“What’s up, Precious?”
She looked up from her meandering thoughts. “Have you taken that girl’s number?” She smacked her hand over her mouth as soon as she had spoken, realising exactly how that sounded.
He put his elbows on the bar and folded his fingers, resting his chin on top. “No. I haven’t and I won’t. If she leaves it for me, I’ll probably discreetly put it into the recycling. But given that you’re wanting to keep ourwhatever it isfirmly in the friend zone in front of people, I thought you’d appreciate me acting as I do normally.”
“Well I don’t. You were flirting.”
