“Oops!” Rachel looked duly bashful.
“What about you?” she asked Jenny. “Where’s your date?”
She shifted in her seat uncomfortably. “I’ve just comeout of a relationship …”
“Rachel, don’t be so nosy,” Mike admonished. “You can’t go around asking personal questions of people you’ve just met.”
She made a face. “I honestly don’t know why I ask him to go anywhere with me,” she grumbled, turning to Karen. “He’s so dry. Wait until I tell you …”
Mike rolled his eyes apologetically, while Rachel engaged Karen in conversation. “I’m sorry. Sometimes she acts like a ten-year-old.”
Jenny waved him away and took a sip of her wine.
“It’s fine honestly. She’s great fun – I’m glad you two joined us. We thought you guys were together at first.”
He grimaced. “Please. She’s my sister, and I love her but someone like Rachel would be thecompleteopposite of my type.”
Jenny felt herself idly wondering what his type might be, and quickly caught herself. Was she mad? Mike was a customer and she’d already embarrassed herself enough.
“So, did Barry organise a new suit for you?” she asked, keen to get the thorny subject out of the way. “He’s a bit stingy, so I hope you were able to get a suitable replacement.”
Mike frowned confused, and then realisation dawned. “Ah, you mean the famous Armani?” He chuckled. “Promise me you won’t say anything, but …” He beckoned her forward, and the back of Jenny’s neck tingled as she felt his warm breath against her ear. “My so-called Armani cost a hundred and fifty quid from Next,” he whispered, then laughed at her shocked expression. “Well, I have to keep up appearances for the bank manager, don’t I? Don’t worry, I’ll tell Barry the truth – eventually,” he added with a grin.“I couldn’t resist laying it on thick at the time. It was comical – I thought the poor man would explode.”
Jenny noticed Karen watching as she and Mike laughed together over shared encounters with her boss. And when she retreated to the bathroom in between courses, she knew it would only be a matter of moments before her friend followed.
“He’s gorgeous,” she gushed. “And he fancies you like mad.”
“He doesn’t know anyone else here that’s all,” Jenny said, dismissing the thought as she reapplied her make-up in the mirror, though the very notion made her blush again.
“Nope. Rachel says that he couldn’t stop talking about you earlier in the bar.”
“That’s because of what happened at work. ‘There’s that idiot from the bank,’ he probably said.”
“Whatever. But you like him too, don’t you?” Karen challenged.
“He’s a customer.”
“And you’re not a doctor. Are there any rules about dating customers outside of working hours?”
Jenny shrugged.
“Didn’t think so. Ah, go and have some fun, Jen – you deserve it. It’s plain enough to see that he likes you – he hasn’t been able to take his eyes off you all day, more’sthe pity,” she added glancing at her reflection in the mirror. “I quite fancy him myself.” She took a brush out of her bag and ran it through her hair.
“Karen Cassidy – you’re an engaged woman.”
“Only joking. I wouldn’t change my Shane for anything. Seriously, though,” she added sombrely, “it’s about time you started having fun again. You’ve locked yourself away for long enough– it can’t be good for you. Andhe’sout of the picture now. Isn’t he?”
Jenny nodded, the combination of the wine and Mike Kennedy’s supposed interest sending her a little euphoric. “You’re right. And it’s been a fun day so far.” She winked mischievously at her friend’s reflection. “OK, you’ve convinced me.”
“Good woman,” Karen clapped both hands together. “That’s more like the Jenny I know and love.”
“Anyway, we’re running away with ourselves – Mike might already be involved with someone for all we know,” she pondered.
Karen shook her head. “Rachel would have said something. I haven’t been able to get a word in with her. She’s funny, isn’t she?”
“Poor old Aidan hasn’t stopped staring since she sat down at our table.”
“Seriously? I hadn’t noticed – I’ll have to introduce them. Aidan could do with a good woman in his life.”
