“Idiot,” my daughter says, trying to brush off my words. But it’s useless; I’ve seen her, now. She’s starting to let down her walls.
Jordan’s hand rests on my thigh, under the table, and I try not to jump at her touch.
“I’m sure she takes after you in some ways, too.”
“I really hope not,” Skylar comments, before shoving another prawn into her mouth. “Oh, fuck,” she says as she’s chewing. “I’m allowed to eat now, right?”
We both burst out laughing, making everyone at a nearby table turn to look at us. We even catch that cheating bastard’s attention. Jordan doesn’t notice – she hasn’t looked in his direction since we sat down. I can see that her walls are starting to come down, too; and I have to do everything I can to stop her from building them back up.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“What for? You’re the one who saved me!”
I shake my head. “You have no idea what you’re doing for me right now.”
Her eyes widen.
“And you have no idea what it means to me.”
“Niall…”
“No, please, don’t say anything tonight. Let’s just forget the agreement until tomorrow. Please?”
Jordan sighs, then looks at Skylar, who’s licking her fingers after finishing the last prawn. She turns to me.
“Fine, but just for tonight. Let’s pretend we never signed that contract. But tomorrow, everything has to go back to the way it was.”
She said tomorrow. I’m the kind of guy who focuses on today: and today, there are no agreements, no small print. No rules to adhere to.
Tonight, there’s only us. And I plan to enjoy every second.
Jordan
By the time the waiter brings over our main courses, half the bottle of wine has disappeared. And I have to admit – guiltily – that I’m the only person at this table who drinks wine. Skylar has ordered a Coke, and Niall is drinking Guinness. Which means that the half-empty bottle is reserved solely for this evening’s resident alcoholic.
A whole bottle could never be enough to shake away the feeling of his eyes all over me.Twobottles wouldn’t even be enough to forget about him, or her, or the way he took off her jacket and pulled out her chair. I never thought it would hurt so much, and I hate that he still has that effect on me.
I’m not in love with my ex-husband. He cheated on me, in our own bed. And he’s still with hismistress. Besides, the word ‘ex’ means something, right? And I believe in the power of words.
I finish off the wine in my glass and Niall immediately lifts the bottle, ready to pour me a refill. I hope he’s not trying to lower my inhibitions and make the most of our temporary truce – because it might actually work. I feel so alone, tonight more than ever – even thought I invited them to sit with me, to thank them for rescuing me from a horrendous encounter with my ex and his new girlfriend. I enjoy their company; but it’s still not enough to fill the void in my stomach. And I’m not talking about the nervous hunger that I always feel when I’m in an uncomfortable situation.
“How is it?” Niall asks, gesturing towards my meal.
“Oh…I haven’t…” I grab my cutlery and cut a piece of meat, dipping it into its accompanying pepper sauce before lifting it into my mouth. “Mmm,” I moan, chewing slowly.
I love meat, and I especially love the way they cook it here. I know how to cook – I’m not terrible – but meat is definitely not my speciality. I’ve never learnt to cook it properly.
“How’s yours?”
Niall chose beer-battered fish skewers.
“Really good. Do you want to try some?”
“No, thanks. I’m like Skylar: I prefer meat,” I say, gesturing towards her as she sinks her teeth into a burger.
“How do you know she prefers meat?” Niall asks, looking at his daughter.
“You can tell by the way she’s eating that burger.”
