Page 16 of Of Socialites and Prizefights

“You don’t need to meet him,” Roz said, steering her away. Deepa glanced back over her shoulder at the man, trying to get a read on him. Thus far, Roz hadn’t struck her as rude, so this deliberate exclusion must mean something.

“I don't much like him,” Roz explained in response to Deepa’s quizzical expression. “I'm told I should be grateful that anyone wants to manage my fights at all, but between you and me, he’s a bit of a wanker.”

“Ah, I know the type. There’s no shortage, is there?”

“Unfortunately,” Roz agreed, lightening her tone as they exited the bar. “But let's not waste time on that. If I'm to get you home by eleven, we’d best be moving.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

A DINNER DATE AND A GOODNIGHT KISS

Aaliyah and Jasmine were waiting for Deepa on the dusk-lit street outside the bar, and she excused herself from Roz’s side to talk to them in private.

“I’m very attracted to her,” Deepa confided in them.

“Yes!” Aaliyah crowed. “The feeling is obviously mutual.”

“You don't look happy about it,” Jasmine observed.

“I’m not. All I do is use people. How am I supposed to negotiate genuine attraction?”

“You usemen,” Aaliyah said. “You don’t use us, do you? Because we’re friends. So, just make sure you've got her sorted in the right category before you go any further.”

“It’s that easy, is it?”

“Why shouldn’t it be? Anyway, even if you tried to use her the way you use all your useless suitors, what would you get out of it? She can't afford to keep you in your current lifestyle.”

“Unless that’s what you're really worried about,” Jasmine said. “Going out with a mechanic who won’t be able to buy you all the things a gentleman could.”

That might be a concern further down the line, if things with Roz got any further at all.

“My men at the club will keep leaving me gifts whether I go out with her or not. I just…” Deepa toyed with her bracelets, rotating them around her wrist as she debated just how much of herself she wanted to reveal. “I’ve never really wanted to be with anyone before,” she finally admitted.

“Haven’t you ever gone out with a man just for fun?” Aaliyah asked. “A good time with no ulterior motives?”

“Not really,” Deepa replied, faintly baffled by the concept.

“Well, start tonight. Go have fun.”

“And don’t stay out late,” Jasmine added.

Roz took her to a cosy little pub the likes of which Deepa had never patronised. In fact, she’d never been to a pub before at all.

They settled into a booth at the back, a pint of beer and a basket of fish and chips for Roz and a glass of crisp white wine with a plate of chips and salad for Deepa. The food was better than Deepa had expected for such a place, but she couldn’t give it the attention it deserved. She was too distracted by the shape of Roz's hand around her fork, fingers strong and blunt but with such a light touch, and the way her throat moved when she swallowed, and how their feet touched under the table, which was small enough that, with a little effort, they could have bumped knees.

“Do you do this often?” Deepa asked, sipping her wine as she watched Roz cut another bite of fish. The wine was tart and fruity, perfect for a summer evening.

“What? Boxing, or taking girls out after?”

“Both. Either.”

“When I can.” Roz shrugged. “Both cases, it's the quality of the thing I like. I’d rather go out with one girl a month and make it a night to remember than go out with three different girls every week but not get anything special out of it. Same withfighting. I love a good match, but I won’t go brawling in a pub or something.” She offered Deepa a smile. “I guess you’re new to both.”

“Going out with women? Yes, this is very new. Going out in general? There, I have some practice,” Deepa said wryly.

“How’s this compare so far?” Roz asked, setting her fork down to fix Deepa with a playfully curious gaze, her grey eyes dark blue in the dim lighting.

Deepa wasn't ready to wear her heart on her sleeve so soon and admit that she found Roz’s company more flattering and more scintillating than any of the dates she’d gone on with her men. “It's too soon to say, don't you think?” she teased. “A kiss on the cheek and a nice meal…”

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