Plus One Is a Lucky Number

by Teresa F. Morgan

  “Yep, my mum says that too. But look at Nat and Gareth.”

  “Touché.” Cassie chinked her glass against Sophie’s. “How right you are. But they are different. They were kind of friends and flirting with each other before the first date.”

  “True.”

  Maybe if she’d slept with Adam it would have felt like the first night, too. Probably for the best they hadn’t. It wasn’t as if they’d been on a date. Sophie started making a mental note not to sleep with Adam unless they’d been on a few dates.

  As if.

  “Anyway, for some reason, call me superstitious if that’s what it is, I didn’t want to ruin it. Besides, I was so bloody drunk, couldn’t tell my arse from my elbow. Poor guy could have been there all night, and I never would have – well, you know?” Cassie laughed and snorted, which made her laugh more, and Sophie was back in a fit of giggles again. She’d missed Cassie. It was so good to catch up with her, even if she was harbouring a lie.

  She’d come clean – honest. One day.

  ***

  After a lot of laugher and some coffee, Sophie insisted upon heading up to bed. She checked her phone. No message from Adam.

  A nagging voice inside her head rang. You are being ridiculous. Grow up!

  As she got into bed, her phone vibrated on the bedside cabinet and she snatched at it. Adam. Pleasure buzzed through her like an excited teenager.

  Sorry was in a meeting when I got your text. Busy day. Hope Cassie is looking after you. A.

  No kiss. Nothing. Not even a ‘love you’ in jest. But he’d texted her. So he valued her friendship, didn’t he? Should she text him back? It was a bit late, but he had just messaged her. Of course, you never knew how long these things took to come through; he could have sent it at five o’clock.

  She should reply tomorrow. Best not to look too eager. Or needy.

  She pulled out his T-shirt, and sank into the pillows, closing her eyes.

  ***

  Sophie extended her stay to a week. It wasn’t like she didn’t have holiday to use up – she did, and the few days she stayed with Cassie flew by so quickly, she couldn’t bring herself to leave. She caught up with friends and family, popping back to Padstow to see her sister and brother-in-law. But Sunday arrived quickly, her week in Cornwall ending.

  As Cassie and Sophie ate lunch, the phone rang in the kitchen. Cassie answered it, nodding and talking quietly – unlike Cassie – and Sophie heard her saying something about Thursday.

  She watched Cassie put the phone down and saw the instant transformation; calm vanishing, excitement replacing it.

  “That was Dan! He’s asked me out! I’m meeting him on Thursday. Oh my God, oh my God!”

  “Great. I knew he’d call you.”

  “Yes, he apologised; he’s busy at work, and has been meaning to phone,” Cassie said. She beamed, her cheeks glowing, happiness plastered all over her face. Sophie’s own heart swelled with joy for Cassie. At least one of them might have a happy ever after from this wedding. Cassie had caught the bouquet.

  Oh please not another wedding – yet!

  Sophie’s mobile buzzed. She looked to see a text from Adam. She’d told him earlier in the week she’d decided to extend her stay, and he’d encouraged it, said there wasn’t a problem with work – what would two more days be? It had put her mind at rest with the decision, hoping the time apart would help squash whatever her feelings were for him.

  What time does your train arrive? I’ll collect you.

  No need. I’ll get a taxi. She quickly texted back.

  The next minute her phone was ringing. She didn’t even need to see the caller ID to know it was Adam.

  “Sophie, I’ll pick you up. I want to make sure you get home safely.”

  “There really is no need.”

  “I took you to Cornwall; I was meant to bring you home.”

  “It wasn’t your fault I changed my plans,” she said, trying to hold in any exasperation. The last thing she wanted was him meeting her at the station. She needed to put space between them, of that she was certain.

  “What time is the train?” His tone turned stern.

  She sighed. “I’m coming from Bodmin on the three-seventeen. I have to change at Reading and I have no idea what time it gets into Chertsey - I think it’s around eight-thirty.” She glanced at her watch, as if it would tell her.

  “Okay, I’ll see what I can do.”

  “If you’re not there, I won’t worry. I’ll get a taxi.”

  Sophie sighed when she hung up. Cassie frowned at her.

  “You don’t look happy.”

  “Oh, it’s nothing,” Sophie replied, shoving her phone in her pocket. “We’d better get a move on or I’ll miss my train.”

  ***

  “Promise me, you won’t leave it so long next time,” Cassie said, pulling Sophie into a hug.

  Sophie's throat tightened as they said goodbye. She’d miss her friend, even though they were good at keeping in touch by phone or email. And now Sophie had returned, she’d be able to do it again. Simon was well and truly forgotten.

  “And you and Adam can always come and stay with me for a weekend.”

  Sophie smiled, hiding her internal anxiety. “Yes, of course.”

  The train journeys passed uneventfully and she read most of the time. But a romance novel wasn’t the best choice. She found herself more tearful when it looked like the hero was leaving the heroine forever, even though she knew there would have to be a happy ending.

  Yeah, happy ever after happens in fiction, not in real life.

  Over the past week she had thought what if they’d just done it, had sex, and got it out of her system? She wished she knew what it would feel like to make love to him.

  But that’s it. Make love. She couldn’t have a one night stand. It did not sit well with her conscience. Or her confidence.

  It was late but still light when her final train pulled into her station. Fearing Adam could be waiting on the platform, her heart rate increased and her palms grew hot. She hauled her luggage out with great difficulty, swearing under her breath. The case was awkward and cumbersome and she was irritable through tiredness.

  She headed off the platform, when she heard her name. Turning, she saw Adam. Her heart rate went up a notch further and her head buzzed with confusion. Was she pleased or not? She’d wanted to see him again. But here, now? He walked towards her, looking all business like – and sexy. His smile turned her insides to goo. He looked even better in the flesh than she’d been imagining all week.

  Flustered, she dropped her holdall, trying to pick it up while pulling her suitcase along as well. “Oh, have you been waiting long?”

  “Ten minutes at the most.” Shaking his head, he grabbed the case. “Let me take your bags.”

  “I could have got a taxi.”

  “I didn’t want you getting a taxi.”

  They didn’t have far to walk to his car. Sophie didn’t wait for him to open the door, getting in as he put the luggage into the boot.

  “So, did you have a good time with Cassie?” Adam asked, as he drove.

  “Yeah, it was nice. But I’m glad to be home, no longer having to pretend.”

  “Why did you have to pretend at Cassie’s?”

  “You’re joking, right?” Sophie snapped. She was tired. “Cassie wants to know everything, the finest details.” She sighed heavily. “I did my best to change the subject most of the time. I’m just fed up with it now.”

  Adam chuckled.

  “It’s not funny. I wish James hadn’t suggested you coming along with me.”

  “I’m glad he did!” Adam said. “Someone needed to keep an eye on you with your ex on the prowl.”

  “Forget about bloody Simon! This was a bigger lie than I realised. Cassie’s invited us to go and stay a weekend. What am I to say?”

  “You can say I’ve had to go away that weekend.”

  “I’ll be ending our ‘relationship’ way before I have to go vi
sit any of my friends – thank you!” She sounded grouchy, but she was upset. “If only I didn’t have to … ” She stopped herself in time, realising she was talking out loud.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  Thankfully, the journey didn’t take long. She was relieved to see her home; it felt like a decade had passed since leaving it. She couldn’t get out of the car fast enough. She loved being with Adam, but knew it was futile. She needed distance.

  Adam fetched the case out of the boot and started towards her flat.

  “What are you doing?” She went to grab the case, trying not to struggle with the holdall and her handbag, but he wouldn’t let her take it.

  “I’ll take it up to your door.” He walked towards the entrance.

  “I can manage.” She followed him, glad she’d put on some sensible shoes and wasn’t teetering on uncomfortable heels.

  “I know, but I thought –“

  “You thought what?”

  “Sophie, what’s got into you?” Adam frowned, and still, to her frustration, carrying her case to the front entrance of her building. “I’m trying to help.”

  “Help? Do you think this is helpful in any way? I’m confused. I don’t know how you feel about me or anything.” Sophie, shut up! “What happens now? Do I fade back into the background as the boring engineer?”

  Adam shook his head with a puzzled expression.

  “Didn’t just a part of you enjoy being with me? Because … ” She looked at her shoes, hesitantly continuing, “because I enjoyed being with you.”

  “Sophie, I can’t. I just can’t.”

  “Can’t what?”

  “I’m not good at relationships. Real ones.” His hand gripped the handle of the case tighter, his knuckles whitened. “Pretending is fine, I can do that. But I will let you down.”

  “How do you know until you try?”

  “I just know.”

  “So why are you here?” her voice quavered.

  “I wanted to make sure you got home safely.” He started to head up the stairs with the case.

  “Leave it. I will take the case! Go, please.” Before I burst into tears. “I am home safe. No one will mug me climbing one flight of stairs. I’ll see you at work tomorrow.” She carried the case up the stairs, determined to make it look easy and not like the heavy, awkward lump it was. It didn’t help when her handbag slipped off her shoulder, making her curse with frustration. Adam had gone back to his car but she knew he could still see her through the windows on the stairwell, so she had to keep up the pretence that she could manage just fine and dandy.

  Fine and dandy. Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Soph.

  If she’d learnt one thing this weekend, it was she missed being in love. She wanted Adam to run up those stairs, grab hold of her and kiss her. They’d stumble into her flat … She shook herself. What a daydreamer she was becoming. Stupid chick flicks she’d sat through with Cassie.

  She was angry she’d stupidly opened her heart up to him and he’d turned her down flat. Had the ‘no good at relationships excuse’ been his polite way of saying she wasn’t his type? Too plain. Not striking enough. Not model material.

  Adam deserved model material – let’s face it.

  He needed someone with equally good looks and fine bone structure. Maybe someone taller, too. Though Sophie didn’t consider herself short, around five foot seven, Adam could rest his chin on top of her.

  Dull engineers were not his type, obviously. He needed someone from advertising or marketing. Someone with flair, panache.

  She was irritated, and just plain bitchy now, fumbling for her keys, conscious he was still outside watching she got into her flat securely.

  Door open, she hurried inside. The air was hot and stuffy – like her mood – from being shut up. She opened some windows, closing the curtains as she went, and noticed his car pulling away. Tears trickled down her face, and annoyed, she brushed them away with the back of her hand. She’d apologise to him tomorrow, and tell him to ignore the fact she’d blurted out stuff about a relationship. She didn’t want one either – at least she’d tell him that.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Soph.”

  Sophie jumped, looking up to see James peering over her monitor.

  “James! You scared the life out of me.”

  “Hello, stranger.” He grinned, placing a cup of coffee onto her desk. This was her regular treat; he’d stop at the local café down the road on his way to work and get a takeaway. It might not be Starbucks but it was a delicious kick to a Monday morning and beat the coffee machines at work.

  Sophie fumbled with the paperwork in her in-tray. It didn’t look too bad actually – at least it wasn’t spilling out over the tray.

  “What have I missed?” She hoped James wouldn’t notice the extra make-up she was wearing, and the new outfit, not so plain. It had nothing to do with if she bumped into Adam. She’d done some shopping with Cassie, that’s all.

  “Not a lot. The meeting in Manchester was dull, and nothing you need worry about on your first day back,” James said, still smiling. “Adam said you both had a good time and it wasn’t that much work, just chatting to some old ladies. How’d he do?”

  “Oh, of course they loved him.” Adam hadn’t mentioned her being a bridesmaid, or Simon? Or their ‘near sex’ experience? No, he wouldn’t discuss that, even with James. He wouldn’t kiss and tell. Not that she would either. Probably easier not to mention anything. Nothing happened.

  Nothing did happen. Kissed a bit. And cuddled … occasionally. For show! For show! Apart from that last night in bed … That was only the two of them. But nothing happened!

  “He behaved himself though – with you? I made him promise me no funny business. I know what he’s like, you see.” James’ expression became deadly serious, which was quite rare for someone with such a happy disposition. It stunned Sophie. Had he read her mind?

  Sophie laughed, hoping it didn’t sound nervous. Explains all the ‘I promised James.’ “No, there was no funny business. He was the perfect gentleman.”

  “Good. I thought I could trust him. I didn’t want him thinking you were one of his usual dates. You two got on though?”

  “Oh, yeah, we’ve become good friends.”

  “Well, you look great. The time off did you the world of good.”

  “Oh, thanks.” She brushed a hand down her jacket. Bugger. So, James does notice these things … “Is Adam in today?” She tried to make the question sound as innocent as possible. She had wandered past the marketing office, hoping to bump into him. She hadn’t spotted either the BMW or the standard company car in the staff car park.

  Oh hell, you do have a problem.

  “No, he’s out the next couple of days with various meetings. I think he’s got a busy week ahead of him.”

  Sophie’s heart dropped; she really needed to stop this yearning for Adam. This would never do. Would it be Simon all over again? No, Adam was better than Simon. The week away had made things worse, not better.

  James grabbed a chair and wheeled it around next to her. “Did he tell you … ” he kept his voice low, “uh, anything, about himself?”

  “Yes,” she said, softly. “And what were you thinking? If he’s like the next M.D.”

  “Shhh … I knew he’d be the perfect date, don’t let his job description bother you. Adam’s a good guy. Just needs some direction,” James mumbled the last line more to himself. “But it looks like his father might be retiring sooner, rather than later.”

  “Oh, right.” Sophie swallowed.

  “Yeah, Mr Thomas had a bit of a health scare a few weeks ago, and well, has finally decided to take his doctor’s advice to take it easy. He’s taking a back seat and giving Adam control.”

  Sophie sipped her coffee as James brought her up to speed on the projects they were working on.

  Sophie was soon back to her old routine of work. She spent the week catching up with her in-tray and getting back to her d
esigns. Her priority was the new QB20s. The memory of Adam talking about getting sales for them, which seemed so long ago, brought home how important these designs were. Manufacturing had to be kept on schedule so they didn’t disappoint customers.

  Throughout the week, one thing lingered, making her heart heavy. She missed Adam. Hopeful, she still wandered past his office – busy with the sales and marketing team but not him. Her in-tray reduced but her longing to see Adam didn’t. Her last words to him had been snappish and ungrateful, and she hated herself for it. She wanted to see him, to apologise. The last thing she wanted was him thinking badly of her; it was important he at least liked her. But she couldn’t bring herself to phone him, or even text. She wanted to talk to him face to face.

  “Coming down the pub?” James said, switching off his PC. Friday already, and five o’clock had arrived. One week down and another weekend to endure without seeing Adam.

  Huddled under James’ umbrella, she walked over the road with him to The White Lion. Due to the rain, the pub was crammed, but they found a small table to sit around and chat.

  “I picked up the ring the other day,” James said, and continued eagerly to tell Sophie about his marriage proposal plans and Kate’s birthday arrangements. “I’m going to take her somewhere special in the morning, then in the evening we can celebrate with our friends.”

  Sophie nodded, then smirked. “She will say yes, then? You’re confident.”

  “Yes, otherwise it will be a commiseration party.” James chuckled. “We’ve been talking about it. She’s just waiting for me to pop the question traditionally and all that.”

  “I’m really happy for you both.” She clinked her wine glass against his raised pint.

  “Thanks.” James smiled. “You can make Kate’s birthday?”

  “Of course.”

  “Good. She’s popping in here once she’s finished work, so don’t mention her birthday!”

  “I won’t.” She patted his arm reassuringly.

  “She’s been asking how you are, says you should come over for dinner one night. Maybe I’ll get Adam round, too.”