“He also said he thought you were pretty.”
“He said that?”
“After I asked him, yes.”
“Oh my God! Maryanne, I’ll kill you!”
Maryanne laughed. “Harly, he’s a delicious hunk who thinks you’re pretty. There’s no harm in that.”
Her friend had no idea.
“Look, don’t try to help me, okay?” Shaking her head, Harly straightened. “I’m happy the way I am.”
“I just want to see you happier.”
“You helping me isn’t making that happen.”
“All right. Fine.” Sighing, Maryanne looked at Bill. “Some people are hopeless.”
Bill eyed her.
“Not me,” Maryanne said.
He grunted and switched on the big oven.
Harly poked Maryanne in the shoulder as she walked passed. “If Alex comes in here today, you are serving him while I hide out here.”
“Don’t be like that.” Maryanne called after her, “Think of me as your Cupid!”
“A hellish one. Horns instead of a halo.”
“Not nice.”
Shaking her head, Harly walked out into the café and opened the front door. Sure, she knew Maryanne would like to see all her friends happily married, but sometimes the woman just overstepped her bounds. Geez, she knew that Alex had been listening to her spouting all that crap about phoning a male prostitute. Oh crap.
Sighing, she placed the sign against the outside wall and went back into the café. It wasn’t like Alex would even care, so it didn’t matter. And why should she care what he thought anyway? He’d come to demand answers, he wasn’t here to win her heart.
The door opened behind her, heralding the first customer, and from there the morning grew busier as people came in for breakfast, then the small lull before morning tea time, and then lunch rolled around.
Caught up in delivering plates to a table, Harly didn’t notice Paul and Alex come in until she turned around and saw them sitting at the table by the window. A quick glance around showed that Maryanne had disappeared somewhere and the other part-time waitress, Leticia, was busy at another table.
That left only her to serve them.
Mentally straightening her shoulders, she crossed to their table, pulling a pad and pen from her apron pocket as she did so. Coming to a stop at the table, she flicked the pad open and poised her pen above it. “What will it be, Paul?”
“Hmmm.” He studied the menu. “Gimme a sec.”
She could feel Alex’s gaze on her and had to steel herself to paste a smile on her face as she turned to him. “Alex?”
He didn’t even look at the menu before him. “Steak, eggs and chips. Coffee, strong and black. Thanks.”
Not by a flicker of an eyelash did he give his thoughts away and for that she could only be thankful. His expressionless face made it easier to remain cool as she jotted down his order and turned back to Paul.
“Steak burger, please” Paul announced, slapping the menu on the table. “With chips. Oh, and can I have a banana milkshake?”
“Getting Becky’s cravings?” she asked dryly.
“Yes, and don’t say a word to her. I’m afraid of what else she might tell me she’s craving.” Paul looked at Alex. “Pregnancy does strange things to a woman, believe me.”
“I wouldn’t know,” Alex said quietly.
The words made Harly shift uncomfortably and she stepped back. “I’ll get these orders in.”
Retreating to the counter, she handed the order through to Bill and his helper, Frank. “Two more orders.”
“Twenty minutes,” Bill said.
“Okay.”
When the order was called out Harly was busy at another table, so Leticia took the order to Paul and Alex. From her stance at the espresso machine Harly could see the younger woman flirt with Alex while she placed the orders down, her arm brushing his as she moved to the side, getting a little closer than needed.
Alex smiled and nodded at Leticia while Paul picked up the burger and took a big bite, a blissful expression crossing his face as he chewed. Leticia asked something and Alex shook his head, answering politely. She shrugged, smiled and came back to the counter.
Harly looked up from placing two cups on a tray .
“Wow, that new bloke is hot.” Leticia took the tray and order form as Harly pushed it across the counter.
“Oh?”
“Yeah. I asked him if he wanted to go to the club tonight for a drink and dancing. He turned me down.” Leticia wrinkled her nose in disappointment. “Said he had another engagement.”
“Huh.” Perversely glad, Harly started getting the next order ready.
“Never mind.” Leticia picked up the tray and smiled widely. “There’s more game out there for this huntress!”
Pausing, Harly watched her walk away with her hips swinging and the hem of the uniform dress barely covering her trim bottom. There were a few appreciative glances Leticia’s way. No doubt about it, that girl would have dates lined up to last the next week. It was a sure bet.
Returning her attention to the espresso machine, Harly continued to fill the coffee orders. Maybe if she put herself out there more she’d score a date, but she really couldn’t be bothered. Most of the men in the town knew her, and those who weren’t already married just weren’t interested in her as more than just a friend. She’d thought about it a lot in her early twenties, wondering why she couldn’t score a boyfriend. The truth was, the hormone-ridden teenage boys all wanted the pretty, slim girls. Basically, the larger girls didn’t really get a look in and those who did were usually married by their early twenties.
There had never been that special man for Harly and she wasn’t prepared to settle for just any bloke. If that one man who couldn’t see how special she was didn’t come along, she chose to live alone with her pets and house and hobbies, and she was happy.
Or so she’d thought, because then along had come Alex Lawson and now her contented world was off-kilter. Once tonight was over, though, she could get back to settling into her life and forgetting about him.
A customer coming up to the counter and placing a drinks order pulled her attention away from the man in question, and she welcomed the diversion. However, no matter how busy she got, she was always aware of Alex sitting in the booth talking to Paul, so it was a relief when they finally left after paying Maryanne.
Wiping down the area around the espresso machine, she looked up when Maryanne leaned in close and said with a wink, “Ahem.”
Her eyebrows rose.
“Alex said he’d be here at five thirty to pick you up.”
“Oh.” Her gaze dropped down to the cloth in her hand.
“Talk about a dark side to you, Harly!” Maryanne slapped her lightly on the arm. “When were you going to tell me you were dating the Lawson boy?”
“I’m not dating him.” Harly wiped around the edges of the machine. “We’re just going out for a quick drink.”
“That’s a date.”
“To talk about some things.”
“Really?” Maryanne smirked. “Hot things? Naughty things? Lustful things?”
“No. Get your mind out of the gutter. It’s to talk about old times. Catch up. You know.”
“Yeah. After that the lustful things start to happen. I know.” Maryanne winked and leered.
“Trust me, Alex doesn’t have anything lustful in his mind when he’s with me.” Harly moved further down the bench, hoping her friend would take the hint.
She should have known better, which was proven when Maryanne moved right along with her. “I saw him looking at you frequently while he was here.”
“Thinking about old times.” Inwardly, Harly winced. Not good old, times, either. If her friend only knew.
“He can keep a good poker face, but trust me, it’s probably hiding his plans to strip you naked, throw you on the floor and have his dirty way with you.”
Harly rolled her eyes.
“Maybe yo
u should knock off early tonight.”
“What for?” Harly stared at her.
“To pretty yourself up, of course.”
“Of course? Maryanne, this isn’t a date.”
“If you say so.”
“I do say so. He’s just an old acquaintance who wants to do a bit of reminiscing, nothing else.”
“Sure.” Maryanne’s eyes were guileless.
“Good.” With relief, Harly continued to wipe down the bench.
“But you can still knock off early tonight.”
Harly whirled to glare at her.
Maryanne’s hands went up palm outwards. “Or not. Five thirty it is, then.”
“Thank you.”
Maryanne turned away, but not before Harly saw her grin and heard her add, “Hot little waitress fantasy coming up.”
Shaking her head, Harly rinsed out the cloth. Maryanne, as always, was incorrigible.
The day proceeded with its usual busy times and lulls, and by the time five fifteen arrived Harly, Maryanne and Bill were doing the last clean-up, aware that on a Wednesday night it would remain quiet now except for a few stragglers who might come in for a takeaway coffee.
The door bell tingled in its old-fashioned charming way and Harly glanced up to see Alex entering. He’d obviously showered, going by his clean t-shirt over which was the open, chequered flannel, long-sleeved shirt he’d worn the previous night, the sleeves rolled up to just below his elbows. The jeans hugged his lower body nicely. As he came closer, she caught a whiff of shampoo and soap.
Great. He was all cleaned up and smelling good, while she smelled like coffee, food, and was dressed in her work clothes.
Not that it mattered, she reminded herself almost straight away. This wasn’t a date, just a simple talk. As simple as a talk about a lost baby between them could be simple. Going by the previous night, it could very well spiral into unpleasantness. Not a good thought.
Alex, hands in his pockets, stopped in front of her and nodded. “I’ll wait in the car.”
“No need,” Maryanne butted in before Harly could say anything. “Harly’s ready to go right now.”
Maryanne the matchmaker. Mentally, Harly did another eye roll.
“Go get your bag, sweetie.” Maryanne grinned widely at Alex while giving Harly a none-too-subtle shove in the direction of the staff doorway. “So, Alex.”
“So, Maryanne.” Amusement was definitely in his deep tones, but Harly didn’t dare risk a glance over her shoulder as she went through the staff door.
Going into the staff bathroom, she checked her face in the mirror above the tiny sink. Her hair had managed to stay neatly in its clip, except for a lock that swung down against her cheek. Wishing she carried a hairbrush in her locker, she tucked it back behind her ear. Her lipstick that she’d put on that morning had worn off, and basically she looked like a working girl at the end of her shift.
Not that it mattered.
Pulling off the apron, she dropped it into the laundry basket. At least her uniform was clean, the apron having caught any drips, just as it was meant to.
Grabbing her small bag from the locker, she hitched it over her shoulder and walked back out to the front of the café to find Maryanne in the midst of prying into Alex’s information, most of which he fielded with amusement and admirable gallantry.
She’d forgotten just how gallant Alex could be, remembering in a rush how he’d always hold a door open for her, just as he did with all the local girls and women. He always opened the door and let the ‘fairer sex’, as a much younger Paul had said with a fake gag, through first. It didn’t matter that Paul did the same thing, but Alex had somehow managed to do it with a smile that made a girl feel special, even when she wasn’t and knew it, but there was no denying the thrill she’d gotten from it.
Memories. Some were good. She glanced at Alex as she came around from behind the counter. And some were bad. The bad ones were the ones they were going to talk about tonight.
Getting off the stool, Alex straightened. “Ready, Harly?”
“Ready.” She nodded at Maryanne. “Thanks for letting me off early.”
“No worries.” Behind Alex’s back, Maryanne mouthed, “I want the details!”
Fat chance of that happening.
Harly crossed to the door that Alex held open and passed him, unable to resist taking a deep breath and inhaling that delicious scent of shampoo and soap. Nothing like a man who had showered. She’d heard a couple of local ladies chatting at a table one day while having coffee and cake, and there had been more than one mention of muscular, sweaty, working men making their hearts flutter - and other unmentionable parts - but she definitely preferred the combined scent of man and soap, that clean masculine fragrance. Go figure, since she’d never had a boyfriend anyway.
The large, warm hand at her back diverted her thoughts, and she saw that they were approaching the Jeep parked out front of the café. As usual, Alex was deftly steering her over to it in his calm, quiet, but definite way. She watched as he unlocked and opened the door, waiting for her to get in before shutting it.
Wishing the time was over and she was home, she looked out of the side window while Alex got into the Jeep and started it up. In silence he backed out onto the road and then moved forward into the traffic.
“Paul has delivered your car home for you,” he said quietly. “It’s all fixed, engine purring like a kitten, or so Will says.”
“At last.” Harly breathed sigh of relief. “I’m surprised he didn’t drop it off at work as he’d normally do.”
“Because I was picking you up.”
“I could have just met you wherever it is we’re going, save you the hassle of picking me up.”
“It’s no hassle.” His profile was perfectly calm. “To pick you up or drop you off home.”
“Oh, I can get a taxi home-”
“No.”
That was it, a straight ‘No’. She glanced at him again. How the hell could he sound so definite, determined and calmly assured with just one word? And why didn’t she argue? Because, she inwardly acknowledged, arguing didn’t seem to work too well with Alex. It never had done.
Minutes later he pulled the Jeep into the parking lot of the local pub, and Harly’s brows rose. A quiet chat just didn’t happen in the pub. “Here?”
“Yes.”
One word answers. This just didn’t bode well for the chat. “I thought we needed somewhere quiet?”
“They have booths which I’m assured are rather private.”
“In another room off the main bar.”
He looked at her. “Do you have another suggestion?”
“We can talk here in the car.”
“I’d rather somewhere more comfortable.”
“It’d be easier here.”
“No.” And with that, he got out of the Jeep.
Cripes, the man just knew how to cut off a disagreement.
More than a little annoyed, Harly shoved the door open but before she could get out, he was there holding the door. Getting down, she stood still, stopping him from shutting the door.
He studied her upturned face for several seconds before stating, “You look annoyed.”
“Really?” She glared. “You have an irritating habit of simply walking away from a disagreement as though it fixes the solution.”
“It usually does.” Placing one hand on her hip, he gently but firmly pushed her to the side and swung the door shut.
“Not with me.”
“We’re going to argue out here because I want to sit in the relative privacy of a booth and have a drink while we talk?” He raised one brow.
“Well, I-”
“When you’d rather sit in the car and talk? We could go through the Hungry Jack’s drive-through and get a couple of cokes, maybe a hamburger, and sit in their car park.” There was a sudden gleam of amusement in his eyes.
Now she felt stupid, even though that had been her original idea. “Of course not.”
&n
bsp; “I guess we could sit out here and talk, though people will look at us.”
Turning on her heel, Harly snapped, “All right already!”
He didn’t say another word but she could practically feel the amusement exuding from him as he strode by her side. Ever the gentleman, he held the door open for her and followed her inside the pub.
There weren’t many drinking on a Wednesday night, and when they walked through into the room containing more private booths for couples to drink, eat and chat at, she saw that there was only one other couple inside.
Yep, there was Alex’s hand again, big and warm at the back of her waist, steering her over to the opposite side of the room. He stood while she slid into the booth before sitting opposite her. And then he looked at her, his blue-eyed gaze drifting over her face as though re-memorizing every inch of it. Silent in his perusal, she nevertheless felt the intensity of it.
Refusing to look away, she simply watched him as he looked his fill of her, wondering at his thoughts.
Finally his gaze lifted to meet hers. “Time has treated you well, Harly.”
Surprised, she at first didn’t know what to say before commonsense took over and she replied, “Thanks. You’re pretty good yourself.” Pretty good yourself? Crap on a stick, had she really said that? Taking a deep breath, she placed her bag under the table on the floor next to her feet, using the movement as an excuse to break their eye contact and get her rather addled nerves sorted out.
Until that second, she hadn’t even known how nervous she was, but now - hoo boy, she wished herself anywhere but here, sitting in a private booth across from Alex Lawson, one-time lover for one magical event, and subsequent father of the baby she’d lost.
That reminder alone was enough for her to gather her nerves and when she straightened up, she was able to link her hands on the table and meet his eyes calmly. They’d come here to talk and she was ready. Get it over with, go home and never see him again. Done and finished.
But rather than start asking questions, Alex picked up the drinks menu and proceeded to study it. “What will you have?”
“Oh - um, Lemonade, thanks.”
With a nod, he got up and walked over to the bar in the corner of the private room. The barmaid giggled and flirted while he smiled politely and paid for the drinks.
The Lawson Boys: Alex Page 7
