Sebastian texted back.
Do you want that too?
Helen’s fingers hovered over the keypad as she thought of all the things she wanted from Sebastian.
Yes. Come.
He replied immediately.
On my way.
Aw, man. She’s done it again.
Seb had left Helen this morning looking like she’d lost a fight with a haystack, and now, there she was, on a barstool all glossy and hot in that damned clingy black dress. At least she wore leggings underneath this time, so he wouldn’t be wrestling the urge to stare at her long bare legs all night.
He wove his way through the Friday evening crowds to where Helen sat at a high round table talking next to a woman, who was Liz presumably, and the lanky guy next to Liz, who was …the hotel manager?
Seb halted at the same time that Helen looked up. She rushed into his arms while he was still several feet away.
“Shit, shit, shit! Liz wanted to meet you and she’d think it was odd if you didn’t come, then Tony texted her saying he was in the area, and before I got a chance to warn you, he turned up because they’re sort of dating, but she’s scared in case he turns out to be a git like Raz so she wants me to check him out, and—”
“Breathe, Helen. It’s okay.” Seb kept his arms around her. “We’ll deal with it.”
“This is awful,” she said.
“I’m sorry. I would leave but I guess it’s too late for that.”
“Yes.” Helen sighed and slipped out of his arms. “Come on, let’s get this over and done with.”
Seb pulled her back. “You’re upset.”
“A bit.” She glanced at his hand in hers. “This was a stupid idea.”
Feeling terrible for ruining her evening, Seb squeezed her hand. “I’ll make it up to you. Introduce me to your friends and I’ll get the drinks.”
A few minutes later, after brief introductions were made, Seb headed to the bar with Helen.
“Is that wine for me?” Helen eyed the cool glass the bartender had placed in front of them, along with Liz’s gin and tonic, Tony’s dark, bitter ale and Seb’s orange juice.
“I figured you’ve earned it.” He paid for the drinks and they turned back to the table only to stop simultaneously. Liz and Tony were kissing. “Looks like they have other things on their minds besides us and how we met, eh?”
“He hasn’t been able to keep his eyes off her since he arrived.”
Or his mouth, apparently.“He’s the guy I wanted to report you to that day for stealing food.”
“Ha! And now you’re on a double date with him.” Helen shook her head. “How do I get myself into these situations?”
“I was thinking the same thing about me,” Seb said, glancing at Helen.
Helen glanced back.
His lips quirked. Hers did too, and they both sniggered like teenagers.
“This isn’t funny, Sebastian.” She nudged his elbow, making him spill a few drops of Tony’s ale. “Honestly, you couldn’t make this stuff up.”
“As long as they think that, we should be fine, then.”
An hour later, Seb bought another round of drinks and eased back into the soft seat next to Helen. They’d moved from the high table to this cozy, mellow-lit area at the back of the bar, decked with bookshelves and paintings of what looked like Bristol City’s olden days dockyard. After the initial awkwardness, the evening had turned surprisingly comfortable and relaxed.
