‘The trick is to not look for anything other than a good time, you know? It’s just a bit of fun.’
‘I think some people are looking for a little more than a bit of fun,’ she said, taking a large sip of her wine. ‘Some people are genuinely looking for a relationship.’ Jenny had had enough of him already … but that steak sounded really good and she was starving.
‘Is that what you’re after?’ He looked a little less sultry-eyed now.
‘I’m not sure yet,’ she said with a disinterested shrug and another sip. ‘Maybe.’
‘Yeah, nah. I’m not up for anything serious.’
She paused. Something about the edge of nervousness she detected made her pay a little more attention to him. She’d spent long enough poking and probing discreetly to prise out information about a patient’s life and background as she took a medical history to recognise the signs of something fishy going on. ‘I’m sure I read something different on your profile,’ she said, deciding it could be entertaining to watch this guy start to unravel.
‘No. It says, “not looking for anything serious”. The same as yours,’ he said pointedly.
Really? Not that she particularly cared—after today there’d be no more dating app for her, but she supposed when the girls were setting up her profile, the option of ‘looking for a relationship’ might have been considered overstepping boundaries. She gave a silent snort—yeah, right. Her kids and best friend had taken a running jump and left any boundaries in the dust. ‘I probably should change that,’ she murmured, downing the last of her drink.
‘Why don’t we just start with a bit of fun and see where that goes?’ he suggested, slipping back into Mr Charming again and sending her a smile that drooped a little as his phone dinged on the table. He didn’t check it.
Wow, yeah, she knew exactly how a bit of fun would end after this. He’d be deleting her number and blocking her in case she turned out to be some clinging desperado.In your dreams, mate.
Jenny watched as Craig caught Nick’s eye at the bar and snapped his fingers. Within moments, a young waiter arrivedand Craig ordered another round of drinks. Before she could protest, the waiter had gone. She fought back an irritated growl. When the drinks arrived a few minutes later, Jenny did a double take at the tall, brightly coloured cocktail in front of her then swung her gaze to the bar. Nick was watching.
‘I ordered wine,’ Craig snapped, eyeing the concoction before her and probably wondering how much it would add to the bill.
‘The bartender said this was the lady’s favourite,’ the young waiter stammered, and instantly Jenny’s annoyance was replaced with relief. Nick had made her a mocktail so she wouldn’t have to drink any more alcohol.
‘This is perfect, thank you.’ She beamed at Craig so he wouldn’t make a scene and secretly enjoyed his irritation as he sipped at his boring soda water. She forced a smile to her face and asked him a bunch of questions about his upcoming marathon as she enjoyed the fruity mix of cranberries, orange and peach, letting him talk about himself until their food arrived.
This time it was a young girl who delivered their meals and despite the knob across from her droning on about nutrition and athletic diets, Jenny found her appetite was thankfully still intact. When his phone continued to ding and he sent yet another frustrated look at it, Jenny sent him a bored glance.
‘You know, if that’s important, feel free to answer it.’
‘No. It’s—’ He stopped mid-sentence and paled slightly, moments before he leaped to his feet. ‘Give me a minute,’ he stammered, leaving the table to head inside.
Jenny followed his progress with interest as she continued to eat, spotting him heading off a woman who’d just barrelled through the front door.
‘What’s that about?’ Nick asked, coming to a stop beside the table, holding another mocktail.
‘I have no idea,’ Jenny said. ‘Why are you plastering me with non-alcoholic mocktails today?’
He frowned. ‘So your date doesn’t get you plastered with alcoholic ones,’ he said, looking back inside the pub.
Jenny followed his gaze and saw the woman was now waving her phone about wildly and Craig was doing his best to try and catch hold of her to stop her heading outside to the beer garden.
The phone on the table started to ring and a photo of a woman with a toddler flashed up on the screen. The same woman Craig was currently inside with.
Jenny’s mouth dropped open.That lying, cheating, absolute bastard!She was furious with herself and, quite frankly, the entire world right now for putting her in this stupid predicament.
Nick swore under his breath, then grabbed the phone on the table and headed towards the door with determined strides. He intercepted the couple pushing open the glass door and held out the phone to Craig, who was tripping over himself trying to keep up with the woman.
‘You left your phone at the bar, mate,’ Nick said, blocking the woman from walking any further into the outdoor area.
‘Where is she? Who were you here with?’ the woman screeched, then turned her furious gaze upon Nick, demanding, ‘Where was he sitting? Did you see him with anyone?’
‘The phone was on the bar,’ Nick said, holding his hands up in defence. ‘I’m just returning it.’
‘I told you, babe, I just stopped in for a drink. I’m on my way home. Come on, let’s get out of here.’
‘I’ve got your bill ready if you want to tap your card, mate, before you go,’ Nick said, as he produced a card-reader from the nearby bar and held it out.
