“Oh.” He looked puzzled. “I suppose I thought she’d stay on since I wouldn’t be around.”
Not for the first time, Terri wondered how a smart woman like Rachel had ended up with such a self-obsessed moron. “Nope, definitely not here.” For some reason, she felt like making things hard for him and decided not to reveal that Rachel was currently out to dinner with Ethan Greene.
Slightly crestfallen, Gary looked at his watch. “Shite. It’s a Saturday night. I don’t really fancy just sitting in by myself and watching telly.”
“Well, I suppose you should have organized your day better then, shouldn’t you?” Terri said pointedly.
“Ah, don’t you start. I got enough of an earful from Rachel earlier. And I came back in the end, didn’t I?”
“How did you get back? I sincerely hope you didn’t drive.”
Gary shook his head. “Nah, turns out Liam’s missus wasn’t as cool about us staying over as he’d thought, what with the new baby and everything. So myself and Sean had to get a taxi back. Cost us a bloody fortune,andwe have to go back up there in the morning to collect the bikes.”
“Really.” Terri wasn’t particularly interested in the ins and outs of Gary’s exploits. “So where’s your sidekick then?”
“Ah, he was feeling a bit under the weather, so he went on home. Bad pint, I reckon.”
“Right.” She jingled the keys pointedly. “Well, much as I’d love to chat all night…”
“Hey, any chance of a late one?” he interjected, and Terri felt like throttling him. As if she had nothing better to do than wait hand and foot on him because he fancied yet another freebie!
Then again…
She’d been wondering all week about this bizarre situation involving Ethan Greene. Now, particularly when Gary’s guard was down, perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to do a little digging?
“Oh, go on then,” she said, standing back to let him inside. “I’ve still got a bit of cleaning up to do, so as long as you stay out of my way.”
He grinned. “You’re a star, Terri. Did I ever tell you that?”
“Yeah, loads of times.” Going behind the bar, she took a bottle of beer from the cooler, grabbed a bottle opener, and popped the top. Showtime. “Glass?”
“Nah, I’m grand.”
Terri slid the bottle across the granite-topped counter, and he lifted it to his lips, gulping it down as if it was the elixir of life. “Good woman.” Still standing, he practically drank the contents in one go, then burped loudly. “After the day I’ve had, I needed that.”
“I can imagine.” Terri had to bite her tongue. Instead, she proceeded to sweep the floor. “So how’s life with you these days? All excited about the wedding?”
He rested the beer bottle on the bar. “Hey, any chance of another one of these? I can get it myself.”
Of course you can,she thought. “Sure, go ahead.”
“Thanks, it’s been a long old day. And nothing better than beer when it’s on the house.”
Terri shook her head. She truly couldn’t fathom how someone like Gary would spend thousands on a ring when he was so cheap.
“I have to admit, you really threw us all for a loop,” she went on, determined to keep him on the subject matter. “Who knew you were so good at keeping secrets?”
“What?” He looked puzzled. “Oh, about the engagement you mean. Well, I suppose I wanted to make sure she was surprised.”
“Consider it mission accomplished.”
He shrugged. “Still, as far as all the wedding shite goes, that’s really Rachel’s thing. Besides, she’ll have to stump up and play her part now. I’ve done my bit.”
Such a Romeo.
“I know. I mean, that rock must have set you back a fair bit, and Tiffany’s too.”
“Yep, nothing but the best for my girl. Pretty special having a ring worth at least…um…a grand or so on her finger.”
