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“Jack Daniels and Coke, please.”

“Since when?” said Lucy.

“Since now. Shit night deserves a hard drink.”

“On it.” Freddie deked to the side so Alex could slip through to the vacant chair across from Mark and against the window. “Another round?” Mark and Lucy nodded, and he disappeared towards the bar.

Lucy reached diagonally across the table to hug her friend, just clearing the crowd of beer cans.

Mark waited for them to finish and stood up to hug Alex, too. His stubble tickled her cheek. Alex pressed in even closer, a dream come true. She had fantasized about his face against hers, breathing in his sexy, clean scent. But his arms held her only fleetingly like an embrace from a stranger. She stepped back with a quivery smile, her heart sinking along with her hopes for a warm reunion.

“I didn’t think we’d see you so soon,” said Lucy. “Then again, I didn’t think we’d see Mark at all this evening.”

He ran a hand through his dark hair and leaned back in his chair, angled away from Alex. “Who says there’s no drama in waiting tables, eh?”

Alex sat down, hugging her clutch, her rain dappled coat still buttoned up to the neck. “Are you okay, Mark?” She swallowed, trying to soothe her dry mouth. “I know what Olivia did. She couldn’t wait to tell me at Bespoke.”

“Yeah, she had it in for me. Plain and simple.” He tugged at the shoulder of his white shirt, popping a button open below his collarbone. A flash of his chest teased her from across the table. “She complained through the entire meal, but I sucked it up, polite as you please. I’ve seen her kind before, but then she pulled a bloody kamikaze move on her own wine glass.”

Alex blinked down at the table and bit her lip. “I think it’s my fault. Those friends of hers at dinner…I told Olivia’s flying monkeys that I knew you.” Her voice cracked. “I think Olivia got you fired…just to prove her power to me.”

Mark shrugged and crossed his arms, his lean biceps bulging under the pressure. He seemed…standoffish.

“Don’t worry about it. You might want to consider finding new friends, though.”

Alex jumped in, shaking her head. “Oh God, no. Olivia’s not my friend. Her boyfriend Harry’s my friend, although I’m starting to re-think that after tonight.”

“Really?” said Lucy. “He went along with her bullshit, then?”

“All of it.” Alex kicked off her heels. “He said some disappointing things, too.”

“That guy seems like an arse—plus he’s got shite taste in women,” said Mark.

“Maybe I could say something to Harry. Get your job back? If he would just listen, I’m sure I could convince him that—”

Mark shook his head. “Alex, leave it. Seriously. Don’t waste your breath.”

Lucy nodded. “Didn’t I tell you? Harry and Olivia are one and the same, cut from the same cloth.”

“Lucy, you don’t know him like I do—”

“But do you really know him?”

Alex sank back into her chair.

Freddie parked a round tray of drinks and crisp bags on the table. He placed a Jack and Coke in front of Alex, gave Mark and Lucy each a can of Amber Ale, and kept an Aspalls cider for himself. “What did I miss?”

“They’re powerful, rich, concerned only with themselves.” Mark sipped his beer, his eyes narrow. “God knows what else they’re capable of. I’d drop it if I were you.”

“But you lost your job…”

He let out a half laugh. “I appreciate your concern, Alex, really I do, but I’m not half as upset as you are. I hated wearing a tie for work. Glad to be rid.”

“Silver lining,” said Lucy, ripping open a crisp packet.

“Waiter and bartending jobs…they’re easy enough to land here. I’ll get another. Actually, a friend mentioned that the National Theatre was hiring bar staff. I’ll head over there Monday morning and apply.”

Freddie fist pumped the air. “Yes. Free booze when we go to the theatre!”