Mr Right Across the Street

by Kathryn Freeman

She pursed her lips, and he tried like hell not to look at them too closely. Not to think about how they might feel beneath his, or trailing across his skin…

  ‘I’d hate to let down my Smurf family.’

  He shoved his carnal thoughts aside and mentally high fived at her choice. ‘Of course you would, so cocktails it is, yes?’

  She narrowed her eyes. ‘Maybe we should make that cocktail, singular, because I do have to work tomorrow.’

  ‘Okay then, I know just the place.’

  Linking arms with her, he began to walk towards a Latin bar he knew. He told himself he’d chosen it because it wasn’t far, though in truth there were several other bars also in short walking distance. But they didn’t have the option of a dance floor.

  He’d always been a hopeful kind of guy.

  Considering it was a Wednesday night the place was pretty busy – busier, he’d like to bet, than his own. There was no wait at the bar though, and he ordered for both of them.

  She didn’t look too impressed. ‘A Manchester bee cocktail?’

  ‘Sure, when in Manchester.’

  ‘What does it have in it that I have to worry about?’

  ‘Recipes vary but in this one I think there’s honey, lemon juice and a garnish of orange peel. Oh and gin and champagne.’

  She groaned, but didn’t protest. ‘Why the bee?’

  ‘It’s the symbol of Manchester. Represents how much it was a hive of activity in the Industrial Revolution. Basically, Mancunians are all worker bees. We buzz around, doing lots of stuff for little reward.’

  ‘You’re a boss now,’ she argued as they sat down. ‘You’re like the queen bee, getting your staff to buzz around for you.’

  ‘Yeah, maybe. Though there’s not enough buzzing.’ He wondered if Bill and Mateo were managing even a flap of their wings tonight. It hadn’t mattered before; the place had earned enough to keep them all happy. But now he had a huge financial hole to fill.

  ‘Everything okay?’

  Mia’s concerned voice brought his shitty train of thoughts to a welcome stop. ‘Sorry, started to think about work.’ He raised his glass. ‘Here’s to our second non-date. And the next ninety-eight to come.’ She laughed, shaking her head at him, and once again he was struck by how natural she was, how unaffected. ‘So Mia Abbott, you dissected my dating history, I reckon it’s only fair I get to ask about yours. Who was the last guy you dated?’ He paused, remembering the conversation they’d had at the coffee shop. ‘And did he have anything to do with your reluctance to give me your number?’

  She stared down at her cocktail. ‘There isn’t enough alcohol in here for that conversation.’

  Luke felt a vicious flare of anger and he had to take a deep breath before he could trust his voice. ‘Did he hurt you?’

  ‘No.’ She glanced over at him and his thoughts must have been mirrored on his face because she immediately placed a hand over his and squeezed. ‘Thank you, but no, he didn’t, at least not physically. You can call off the dogs.’

  Some of the tension left his body. ‘Will you tell me what happened?’

  She sighed, then took another sip of the cocktail before speaking again. ‘I’ve got a shitty track record when it comes to choosing men. The last one, Pete, started off sweet, then became possessive. When I finished things he kept phoning and bombarding me with messages, begging me to reconsider. I blocked him, but he just got another phone and started again. In the end I had to get a new number.’ She caught his eye, her expression apologetic. ‘Only my parents, sister and two closest friends know the new number. I didn’t want to risk anyone else giving it to him.’

  ‘And you don’t want to risk it happening again,’ he finished for her.

  ‘No.’ She exhaled in frustration. ‘It sounds awful, I know. I mean, I’m basically accusing you of being a psycho and I’d be pissed if someone did the same to me.’

  ‘Hey, I’m not angry. At least not with you,’ he qualified, his stomach churning at the thought of Pete and how much emotional hurt he’d caused her. ‘I need to earn your trust before I earn your number, I respect that.’ He grinned. ‘Anyway, where’s the fun in communication that uses an unlimited number of words?’ She smiled and he gauged she looked relaxed enough to be asked another personal question. ‘You said you had a shitty track record. How come you keep choosing the duffers?’

  ‘Good question.’ She shrugged. ‘I think maybe it goes back to school. I was always the geek – you know, the weird one who enjoyed maths and raced to be first to computer lessons so she could grab the best terminal.’

  He laughed. ‘Nope, don’t remember coming across a geek before. Probably because I was the one who bunked off maths and was still snogging Lusty Linda round the back of the bike sheds when the computer class was due to start.’ They shared a smile and he couldn’t explain how good it felt to make her laugh, to banter with her like this. ‘But what does being a geek have to do with choosing duff men? I thought it would make you better at picking, like maybe you’d have an algorithm for it. If he sits at the back of class, reject. If he holds the door open for you, go to next question.’

  Laughter burst out of her. ‘Why didn’t I think of that? Oh, I know, because I wasn’t that weird, Mr Snog Alot. Just weird enough that the cool guys didn’t fancy me, so I was left with a skewed sample of misfits and the odd shy, decent guy. Somehow the ones I chose turned out to be not so decent, after all.’

  ‘Would I fit into the cool group?’

  She blinked. ‘I’m totally walking into a trap here but yes, okay, as you treated me to a pretty stellar night out, I’ll humour you. You’d be in the cool group.’

  He put down his cocktail and pulled her to her feet. ‘Come with me.’

  ‘What? Where?’

  ‘Don’t panic, just to the dance floor.’ When she froze, he smiled. ‘I know we’re only friends, but just let me do this? Please?’

  He sensed her reluctance as they climbed down the stairs and onto the small dance floor. The live band was playing jazz, and the mood was just right for what he wanted.

  Pulling her into his arms, he held her loosely and began to move them slowly to the gentle beat of the music. ‘This is me, proving to you how wrong you are.’

  Her hand curled round his bicep as she stared up at him. ‘I’m rarely wrong.’

  He chuckled, risking holding her just that tiny bit closer. ‘I’m sure, but this is one of those rare exceptions.’ Bending, he whispered into her ear, ‘It isn’t just the misfits and shy guys who fancy you, Mia. Cool guys do, too.’

  Chapter Fifteen

  One of the advantages of Facetiming her sister rather than calling her was that Mia could easily read Elle’s thoughts, rather than relying on working them out from the nuances of her voice. In this case, she knew, without doubt, she’d managed to shock the pants off her.

  ‘He said what?’

  ‘I just told you.’

  ‘I know, but I think I must have misheard you, because you said you and this Luke were only friends. And now you’re telling me he said he fancied you.’

  ‘I know.’ One of the disadvantages of Facetiming with her sister, was that the thought reading went both ways.

  ‘God, you’re happy about it, aren’t you? Happy that Mr Muscles Opposite has the hots for you.’

  ‘No, no, it isn’t like that. He doesn’t.’ Except she’d been on the end of his flirtatious smile, heard him admit he’d wanted to date her, have sex with her. And on Wednesday, when he’d held her in those strong arms, she’d been shocked at how right it had felt to rest her head against his brick wall of a chest. And how much she’d melted when he’d told her cool guys fancied her, too. ‘Okay, he does like me.’ I like him too, and I’m afraid if I’m not careful, it won’t stop at like. ‘That’s not what this is about though. He’ll soon find another woman to focus his energy on, and the last thing I need in my life is another failed relationship. We are just friends.’ The smile she’d tried to suppress burst across Mia’s fa
ce. ‘But God, Elle, he’s doing amazing things to my ego. I have always had a hang-up about guys not fancying me, and I think that’s sometimes led me to—’

  ‘Settle for anyone who showed an interest,’ Elle finished for her.

  ‘Wow, that’s harsh.’

  ‘Sorry, maybe it is, but I’ve never thought any of your boyfriends were good enough for you.’

  ‘That’s ’cos you’re my big sis.’

  ‘Maybe, but I’m also a woman. I can’t wait for you to introduce me to a guy who I’d think, wow, if I wasn’t married, I’d totally go for him.’

  Mia cleared her throat. ‘Err, except you wouldn’t, obviously, because he’d be my boyfriend.’

  Elle burst into laughter. ‘Ooops. Blame the hormones.’

  ‘Which hormones are these? Because I’ve seen my nephew so I know you’re not pregnant anymore.’

  ‘Trust me, my hormones are all over the place. Some of them are plummeting, others are raging. I’m going to be an emotional basket case for a while to come yet. Not that little Jacob isn’t absolutely worth it.’ Mia grinned as she watched Elle’s eyes automatically glance to the sleeping bundle of cuteness in the bassinette next to her. ‘Anyway, I’ve been talking to Dave and Mum and we’re all planning to come up and see you in a few weeks, so be warned.’

  ‘That’s crazy, I’ll just come down again.’

  ‘Oh no, you’re not escaping that easily. We want to see you on your home turf. Check out your environs, the bar you mention, your neighbours, like Stan next door.’ She winked. ‘And the hot one opposite you.’ Her eyes lit up. ‘Please tell me he works out at the weekends, too.’

  Mia felt her face going hot. Ogling Luke now they’d agreed to be friends still felt wrong. And if she thought of her sister … and God, maybe her mum standing in her window staring at him… ‘He doesn’t do weights at the weekend,’ she lied, making a mental note to keep the blinds down if they were around in the morning. ‘Even if he did, you’re married, with two young children. You can’t be seen spying on my neighbour.’

  ‘When did you turn into such a spoilsport?’ In the background, Mia heard the sound of gurgling and a moment later, Elle held Jacob up to the camera. ‘Your nephew’s woken up to say hello.’

  Mia cooed at him. ‘Hello handsome.’

  ‘I guess I should say goodbye and feed this monster.’ Elle’s expression was utterly besotted. ‘Just before I go, have you had any more messages from your friend since you last saw him?’

  ‘Only one this morning, asking if I’ll be at the bar tonight.’ It was still in his window and she smiled as she looked at it.

  2night

  * * *

  Me = bar

  * * *

  If U = bar

  * * *

  Me = happy

  ‘Are you going?’

  It was hard not to, after a message like that. And Mia knew if she was going to grasp this being single and independent lark by the scruff of the neck, she needed to venture out on Saturday nights. ‘I think so, yes.’

  When she walked into the bar several hours later, there was a satisfying hum to the place. The sound of conversation, of laughter. Immediately she spotted Luke serving, his face animated as he laughed with the … striking brunette. Mia bit into her lip and reminded herself it was his job. He charmed, he flirted. Just because the woman looking doe eyes at him right now was leggy and slender, her dress emphasising her sleek body, didn’t mean Luke was interested.

  He flirted like that with you the first time you met him.

  The memory was still vivid; how flattered she’d been, how much she’d enjoyed it. But she’d taken the sensible option, the best option for her, and decided not to take him up on his offer of a fling.

  So it doesn’t matter who he flirts with.

  ‘Hey, Mia, over here.’ Chloe waved her arms around from the group’s usual table. Mia spotted Tanya, Donna and Michele with her. Presumably Donna’s other half, who she’d learnt was a nurse, was working nights again.

  Mia smiled and walked over, feeling a little burst of pride. She’d been here, what, ten weeks, and she could walk into a bar by herself and see familiar faces. They weren’t friends, not like Heather and Gill back at home … oops, back in Somerset, but they’d been kind enough to take her under their wing.

  Unconsciously her eyes strayed back to Luke. He caught her gaze and directed a full-watt smile at her that she was sure had most of the female customers wondering what she had that they didn’t.

  Aside from blue hair.

  ‘Who’s ready for another drink?’ she asked as she joined them.

  Tanya shook her head, slinky straight hair cascading over her shoulders. ‘I’m getting this round.’ She winked at Mia. ‘You can do the next one.’

  Inevitably the conversation veered to what they’d been up to and it was only when she mentioned she’d been to the cinema with Luke, that Mia realised quite how it sounded. ‘Oh no, it’s not like that,’ she added hastily when she saw their jaws drop. ‘He’s promised to show me Manchester, that’s all.’

  ‘Who’s showing you Manchester?’ Tanya asked as she arrived back with the drinks.

  ‘Luke. As a friend,’ she clarified quickly, wondering quite how sharp Tanya’s long nails were. And if she was about to find out.

  ‘Oh?’

  Tanya’s cool response made everything inside Mia tighten. ‘Yes. Somehow I’ve been conned into making him a website. Frankly, him showing me the occasional Manchester hot spot in return is the least he can do.’

  It was the right thing to say. Tanya rolled her eyes. ‘That sounds like Luke alright, using his charm to wangle something from you. I suspect he wants something from me, too, as he’s asked to meet me for coffee tomorrow.’ She took a large swig of her cocktail. ‘But here’s hoping it’ll be less about work and more about pleasure, if you know what I mean.’

  Everyone laughed and the moment passed, but the happiness Mia had felt earlier had been dented. She didn’t want to resent Tanya, to feel this sting of jealousy knowing the other woman, the one Luke enjoyed seeing from time to time, was, in fact, seeing him tomorrow.

  She wanted to laugh it off, to take the piss out of Luke for living up to his playboy reputation when she next saw him, as friends would surely do. She just wasn’t sure she was that good an actor.

  And damn it yes, she had just admitted her friends-only claim was an act.

  It was frustrating, seeing Mia and not being able to talk to her. Yet Luke couldn’t complain, not when the reason was a busy bar and ringing tills.

  He winked when he caught her looking in his direction, and felt a twinge of worry at the weakness of her answering smile.

  Whatever Tanya et al. were saying, she wasn’t happy about it.

  ‘Can’t take your eyes off, her I see.’ Mateo smirked over at him.

  ‘Just being friendly to our website designer.’

  Mateo laughed. ‘I’m sure that’s all she is to you, boss. Like I’m sure Man United are just a football team.’

  Luke opened his mouth to argue that Man United were far more than a team, they were a religion, a family. A love affair. Then snapped it shut when he realised Mateo’s devious trap. ‘Exactly.’ He slid the guy a superior smile. ‘Sometimes things are just what people say they are.’

  At that moment he spotted Mia walking to the bar, and immediately blew his own theory by almost falling over his feet in a dash to get to her first.

  ‘Hey there.’ Behind him he could hear Mateo chuckling loudly, but he ignored the bugger and kept his eyes on Mia.

  ‘Hi.’ She gave him a suspiciously bright smile. ‘You’re busy tonight.’

  ‘Are we?’ He flashed her a flirty grin. ‘I hadn’t noticed. All I see is you.’

  She groaned, shaking her head. ‘Does that line really work?’

  He waggled his eyebrows. ‘I don’t know, you tell me.’

  ‘I can’t, because we’re friends, remember? Friends don’t try corny pick-up lines o
n each other.’

  ‘Corny? You wound me.’ Automatically, because he knew what the group usually ordered, he began lining up the cocktail glasses. ‘And anyway, why can’t friends try out chat-up lines on each other? Aren’t they there to help?’

  ‘I don’t think you need any help in that department.’

  It was the slight edge to her voice, rather than the words themselves, that caused him to pause. ‘Why do I get the feeling that isn’t a compliment?’ Her eyes avoided his and once again he wondered what the group had been discussing. ‘Mia?’

  She seemed to shake herself. ‘Because you’re feeling weirdly sensitive?’

  Was he? ‘Maybe.’ He twirled the cocktail shaker – Tom Cruise eat your heart out – and poured it into the glasses. ‘So, what have you ladies been discussing?’ he asked casually.

  She arched a brow. ‘You think we’ve got nothing better to talk about than you?’

  Crap. Clearly his casual needed some work. Still, if he was going to be accused of being a closet narcissist, he might as well own it. ‘Why wouldn’t you want to talk about me?’ He grinned to show he was joking. ‘I am fascinating.’

  ‘You’re something,’ she muttered. When her gaze found his again, it was guarded. ‘They asked what I’d been up to, and I told them about our trip to the cinema.’

  ‘Okay.’

  ‘Is it?’

  ‘Of course.’ He frowned, not quite understanding. ‘What’s the issue? It’s not a secret that we’ve been out a couple of times.’

  ‘As friends,’ she added, and yes, he hadn’t missed that that was the second time she’d emphasised the friends part. ‘So you haven’t deliberately kept our non-dates from Tanya?’

  ‘What? No, of course not.’ He waited until she looked back at him. ‘I told you before, Tanya and me, we’re just—’

  ‘People who have sex with each other from time to time,’ she cut in quietly. ‘It’s clear that’s what you think, but is it what she thinks?’ Before he could answer, she held up her hand. ‘You know what? Forget I said anything. It’s really none of my business. I just thought, as your friend, you should know Tanya wasn’t happy when she heard I’d been out with you. Obviously I made it clear you were only showing me Manchester as payback for me doing your website.’