Love at First Fight

by Mary Jayne Baker

  ‘I’m really not sure about this, Bridie,’ Ben muttered as she straightened his collar for him in their hotel room in Manchester the following evening. ‘It feels wrong, thinking about being with someone else.’

  Bridie smiled and kissed his nose. ‘How far we’ve come, eh?’

  He ran a finger under his shirt collar. ‘You know what I mean. I don’t do this shit any more.’

  ‘You did it in Blackpool.’

  ‘That was different. When I chatted Mia up, I was just trying to make you jealous so you’d admit you were crazy about me. This feels… real.’

  ‘Just think of it as an acting job. Remind yourself what’s at stake. Cal and Hattie’s whole future happiness depends on you doing a good job tonight.’

  ‘Jesus. No pressure, eh?’

  ‘Here’s your ticket for the bar. Don’t lose it, I practically had to sell a limb to get it for you. Did you check with Cal he hadn’t mentioned you to Joanna the last couple of times they saw each other?’

  ‘Yeah. He was ninety-nine per cent certain my name had never come up.’

  ‘And he’s edited you out of all his Facebook posts for the past few years?’

  ‘Yep, and blocked me temporarily. That still relies on the fact she hasn’t been paying too close attention to his posts though.’

  ‘I’m sure she’s far too self-absorbed to have been hanging on to his every word. I doubt she’ll remember everything he’s put up, and there’s nothing there now if she gets suspicious and goes to check. I know Cal said she’d deleted her account, but if she only temporarily deactivated it then she might still be able to access his posts.’

  ‘You really think this can work, Bride?’ Ben asked. ‘I knocked Joanna back once before, don’t forget. She’s as likely to swing for me as snog me.’

  ‘You knocking her back is exactly why it stands a decent chance,’ Bridie said. ‘Men don’t say no to women like Joanna very often – or ever, probably, Cal aside. I bet she won’t be able to resist finally bagging the one that got away. Plus no doubt she’ll be keen on putting the boot into Cal a bit more by shagging his brother as punishment for turning her down. Just make sure you use all the seductive wiles in your arsenal, all right?’

  He looked down at her. ‘Bridie, are you sure this is OK?’

  ‘It’s the best plan we’ve got. I know it’s a bit elaborate, but so was that frame job she did on Cal.’

  ‘That’s not what I meant.’ He drew her into his arms. ‘I mean, are you OK with it? I hate to think I might hurt you.’

  ‘It was my idea, wasn’t it? You’re not exactly going to sleep with her.’

  ‘No, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be stuff that’ll upset you. I don’t like the idea of you having to see that.’

  ‘Ben, I trust you, OK? I know that whatever you do is in the line of duty.’ She patted his cheek. ‘Just try not to enjoy it too much, eh?’

  He pulled a face. ‘With Joanna? You must be kidding.’

  ‘Well, she’s a very sexy woman.’

  ‘Bridie, she went out of her way to break up my brother’s relationship. I can’t think of a bigger turn-off.’ He kissed her before he let her go. ‘All right, if everything goes to plan I’ll text you the code word when we leave the bar so you can get into position. If not, I’ll ring you in about half an hour demanding reassurance that my sex appeal hasn’t totally gone for a burton in my old age.’

  ‘Right.’ She squeezed his arm. ‘Good luck, Ben.’

  Thirty-Five

  When Ben arrived at Mystique, the posh bar where they’d discovered the unofficial after-party for the annual National Beauty Awards usually took place, it was just before 10pm. The ceremony would be drawing to a close around now, so he had a bit of time to find himself a seat at the bar where he wouldn’t miss Joanna coming in. He flashed his ticket at the bouncer and headed inside.

  It was a smart, modern-looking place, all mirrors and blue light. The mirrors were helpful anyway. Being surrounded by them meant he was unlikely to miss Joanna even if she was out of his eyeline.

  There was a free barstool well placed between a mirror to the right and another behind the bar. Ben dragged it into the optimum position for door-watching and hoisted himself up.

  ‘Grolsch please,’ he said when the barman approached him. ‘Er, no. Actually, make it a red wine. Something classy.’

  The barman nodded and turned to pour him what was probably the priciest wine on the list.

  Ben took a deep breath as he tried to slow his racing pulse. Was this going to work? Joanna would be instantly suspicious when she saw him there, so soon after her dirty dealings with Cal and Hattie. The plan also relied heavily on Cal not having mentioned his brother to her recently, and Joanna believing the story he was planning to tell her about the role he’d played in breaking her and Cal up six years ago. It also relied on her still fancying him, which there was no guarantee of. She had a lot more options now when it came to sexy men than she had when she’d been working on the make-up counter at John Lewis.

  But Bridie was right, it was the best plan they had. Shit, it was the only plan they had. For his brother’s sake, for Hattie’s, and for his unborn niece or nephew, he needed to give it his best shot.

  Ben stiffened as the door opened and a crowd of attractive, well-dressed people came in. He didn’t need to look round to see that Joanna was among them, in a long, tight white dress with a slit down the side, laughing easily amidst a crowd of admirers. She certainly didn’t look like a woman devastated because her marriage had recently come to an acrimonious end, he thought wryly.

  Hang on. Wasn’t that the actor husband with her? Ben recognised him from an episode of Midsomer Murders he’d watched last week – he’d played the corpse. Joanna had told Cal he’d walked out on her. Had that been a lie too? She probably knew that making Cal feel sorry for her, appealing to his incurable good nature, was her best shot at getting him to be unfaithful.

  God, she was slippery. You couldn’t trust a word that dropped from the woman’s lips. He hoped Conrad being there didn’t mean their plan was already dead in the water.

  The attempted seduction of his brother was the one part of all this that Ben didn’t get. He was more than willing to believe Joanna would try to ruin someone’s relationship simply for the hell of it, but why go gunning for Cal? He’d never done any wrong to her – in fact he’d always been far more charitable towards her than she deserved, even after they’d broken up. And it’d been six years since they last saw each other. There must be other people in her life she could fuck with if she enjoyed it so much. Had she seen Cal’s announcement of his engagement and decided she just couldn’t bear to see her ex happy with anyone else?

  Joanna had detached from the group now and was approaching the bar; Ben could see her in the mirror to his right. He pretended to be scrolling his phone as he sipped his red wine, so she wouldn’t notice him looking at her. She was measuring her steps carefully, which meant she was probably already pretty tipsy from the free booze at the awards do. That could only help.

  Oh God. His heart was pounding here. Could he do this? He couldn’t do this.

  But he had to, didn’t he? For Cal, and for Hattie. They’d helped him and Bridie find each other; now it was time to repay the favour.

  Relax, Ben. It’s just a chat-up – you’ve done it a thousand times…

  That was before he’d fallen for Bridie though – or at least, before he’d admitted to himself that he’d fallen for Bridie. Even with his girlfriend’s blessing, Ben felt a wave of guilt every time he thought about what he was here to do.

  But he couldn’t back out now, even if he wanted to. Joanna was standing at his side, literally right next to him, waiting for the barman to serve her. It was crunch time.

  He looked up from his phone with an expression of surprise he hoped wasn’t too hammy. ‘Oh my God, I don’t believe it! Joanna – Joanna Fitzroy? What the hell are you doing here?’

  She turned to look at hi
m, and her eyes widened. ‘Ben, shit!’

  He tried to instantly assuage her suspicions by standing up and kissing her on the cheek. ‘Bloody hell, I never thought I’d see you again! How long’s it been, six years?’

  ‘Um, yes. About that long,’ Joanna said, looking taken aback. ‘What’re you… did Cal—’

  ‘Oh, don’t talk to me about that bastard,’ Ben said, scowling. ‘We haven’t spoken in three years. As far as I’m concerned, I have no brother.’

  This was the test. If Cal had mentioned his brother to Joanna at any point or if she remembered any Facebook posts that included the two of them, she’d know he was lying. But while she looked bemused, there was no disbelief in her face.

  ‘You two don’t speak any more?’ she said. ‘But you were always so close.’

  ‘We were. Or I thought we were. Not close enough to stop him stealing my girl though.’ Ben laughed bitterly. ‘Can you believe that, after I… well, never mind. Serves me right for thinking there was any such thing as fraternal loyalty.’

  ‘Cal did that? I thought he was such a goody-goody. What girl was it?’

  ‘Bridie Morgan. You remember her?’

  Joanna laughed. ‘That chubby thing you were always arguing with? Well, no loss to you.’

  ‘What? She’s not – I mean, no. I guess not.’ Ben took a seat on his barstool again. ‘So, can I buy you a drink? I feel like I owe you one, after the way we parted. Trust me, if I’d known then what I know now, things could have been very different.’

  ‘Well, I’m here with some people.’ She cast an appraising look over his body, and the outfit Bridie had carefully curated for him from all his sexiest clothes. ‘But I think they can probably spare me for a little while.’

  Ben smiled his most seductive smile as she pulled up a stool next to him. It was going well. He’d been with enough women to know exactly what Joanna’s body language meant. Dress pushed to one side and legs crossed where he could see them, leaning towards his body so they were almost touching; pupils dilated and fixed on his. She was definitely interested, thank God. He just needed to keep up the pretence long enough to get her back to the hotel. It was too noisy in the bar for him to be able to record their conversation with any clarity, and she was unlikely to admit anything truly incriminating in public anyway.

  The husband though – Ben could see him watching them from the corner of his eye. That could still be a problem. Joanna was definitely flirting with him, but that didn’t mean she’d be willing to go further as long as Conrad was there observing.

  ‘So, what will the lady have?’ Ben said, just briefly resting his fingers on her arm as he angled his body towards hers. ‘Anything you want, price no object.’

  ‘In that case, I’ll have a glass of bubbly.’ She nodded to acknowledge the barman who’d approached them. ‘And put five bottles on a separate tab, will you, and send them to the table over there? I’ll be in trouble with the hubby if I don’t get drinks in as promised.’ She pointed out the table of her friends before turning back to Ben. ‘So. When did you become the last of the big spenders, Mr Kemp?’

  ‘I’m doing pretty well these days. Marketing manager for a big outdoors company.’ Sod it, if he was going to spend the night lying through his teeth – sorry, acting – he might as well make himself rich while he was at it. ‘That’s why I’m here. I’m in town for a business meeting.’

  ‘Oh, really?’ She looked impressed. ‘I’m glad someone in the family made it.’

  ‘How do you mean?’

  ‘Well. I never could convince your brother he ought to be aiming for more than rolling around covered in grease at that two-bit car shop.’ She rested a hand on his knee. ‘But let’s not talk about him.’

  ‘No. Let’s not.’ Ben trailed his fingers over the hand on his leg, suppressing the feeling that he was doing something really wrong as he reminded himself again that this had all been Bridie’s idea. ‘The thing I hate him for more than anything is remembering all the fun I missed out on for trying to do the right thing. Know what I mean? I wouldn’t make that mistake again.’

  ‘I really hope not.’

  ‘I fancied you rotten when you and him were together, you know,’ Ben said, feeling like he was getting more into the part now.

  Joanna raised an eyebrow. ‘Is that so? You said some very mean things to me that night in Scotland, darling. I still haven’t fully got over them.’

  ‘Perhaps I felt guilty about how much I wanted you. My brother’s girlfriend. That’s why I needed you to get out of his life, before I gave in to temptation and did something I’d regret.’

  Discreetly he ran his hand up the leg revealed by the slit in her dress, and she smiled. ‘How can I believe anything you say? A man with your reputation.’

  ‘You used to like the idea of a man with my reputation.’ Ben glanced at the group she’d come in with, and Conrad watching them with a blank expression on his face. ‘But now you prefer a man with his reputation. Is that right, Joanna?’

  She held up her hand to gaze complacently at her wedding ring. ‘Oh, don’t mind him. We’ve got an understanding.’

  ‘Is that right?’ His hand slid further up her leg. ‘Care to elaborate?’

  ‘Well, Conrad has his little flings, I have mine.’

  ‘So it’s an open marriage?’

  She smiled. ‘You seem awfully interested, Ben. I’m a free agent, that’s all you need to know.’

  ‘I’m just checking I’m not going to get a punch in the nose for what I’m about to suggest.’

  ‘And what’s that?’

  He leaned forward to whisper in her ear. ‘I’ve got a suite at the Peninsula Hotel. I’d love to take you there so we can pick up where I wish we’d left off up in Scotland. What do you say, shall we have a party of our own?’

  Bridie was lying on the bed in the hotel room, trying to watch TV, but she couldn’t focus. All she could think about was Ben, and what might be happening at the bar. Had Joanna shown up? Something must be happening; he’d been gone for over an hour. Surely he’d have phoned by now if it hadn’t worked.

  Her mobile was beside her on the bedside table, and she jumped as it buzzed with an incoming message.

  It was from Ben. It just said #TeamCupid. That was the code they’d settled on if the plan was a success. It meant he was heading back here now… with Joanna in tow. She jumped up, pocketed her phone and went to hide in the wardrobe.

  ‘Here we are,’ Ben said as he showed Joanna into the suite, trying not to let his eyes wander to the wardrobe where he knew Bridie was hiding.

  Joanna glanced around. ‘Very nice. Homey.’

  Ben smiled. ‘I suppose it’s not as grand as you’re used to, but there’s a fully stocked minibar.’

  ‘Mmm. And a king-sized bed.’

  ‘I was hoping you’d notice that.’

  Joanna pulled her to him by his shirt front, and Ben tried not to wince as her lips connected with his. There was no avoiding this bit. He just had to get through it so they could get to the next bit. But it felt awful, kissing someone who wasn’t Bridie. He hoped it wasn’t too painful for her to watch.

  He couldn’t hold back though, or Joanna would get suspicious. Her tongue slipped into his mouth and he tried to fake a bit of passion, sliding his hands down to her buttocks and pressing her against him. She started moaning slightly, and Ben felt her hands rubbing against his chest… and down towards his groin.

  He broke away.

  ‘As amazing as this is, I’d feel cheap if we didn’t at least have a drink together first,’ he said, forcing a smile. ‘Let’s make a toast, eh? To new beginnings.’

  Joanna laughed. ‘You’re not the man I remember.’

  ‘You’re right, I’m not. I don’t think I had any concept of delayed gratification at twenty-three.’ He nuzzled into her neck. ‘But I’m a big boy now – a very big boy – and I know the best things come to those who wait.’

  She smiled. ‘All right. In that case, I’ll hav
e a champagne if there is one.’

  Ben went to the minibar, took out a couple of small champagne bottles and poured them each a glass.

  ‘Well,’ Joanna said when they were seated on the bed. ‘To new beginnings then.’

  ‘And to a lot of fun to come.’ Ben clinked her glass with his and they both took a drink.

  He glanced at her wedding ring. ‘I’m still a bit worried about your husband. You’re sure he won’t be jealous? I saw him watching us leave.’

  Joanna trilled a laugh. ‘Oh, sweetie. Don’t you get it yet? I’m really not his type.’

  ‘What is his type?’

  ‘Well, your type.’ She smiled at his puzzled expression. ‘Conrad’s strictly boys only. Be sure to keep that to yourself, won’t you? It’s an open secret in the business, but he isn’t ready to go public just yet.’

  Ben frowned. ‘Right. So what’s the marriage in aid of then? People don’t still do that lavender thing these days, do they?’

  ‘That depends on the price.’

  ‘Eh?’

  Joanna leaned over to nibble his ear.

  ‘I knew one of my YouTube sponsors, Padua Cosmetics, would make marriage very worth our while,’ she said in a low voice. ‘They offered us big bucks if they could be the exclusive sponsor of the celebrity wedding of the year. Con and I are really just good friends – friends who know how to strike a good deal.’

  She put down her drink and her hand slithered up towards his groin. Ben saw what Cal meant about her being a crotch-grabber: she certainly didn’t seem to be a big fan of foreplay. He had to keep her talking now she was on a roll though, even if that meant letting her cop a quick feel. He tried to ignore the wandering hand as he carried on their conversation.

  ‘Oh well, I don’t need to worry then,’ he said, trying to show willing by kissing along her shoulder. ‘Isn’t that rather hard on you though? What if you meet someone else?’

  She laughed. ‘Who? You?’

  ‘Anyone. It’s rotten luck to be tied to someone who’s only a husband in name.’