Page 35 of Doc Hollywood

“Sure.” He leaned forward so he was clearly visible over the top of Clara’s head. “Would it be possible to order some drinks?” He spoke politely and grinned broadly.

Which despite the beard, stunned Clara, as his Hollywood smile was that little bit whiter and that little bit smoother than she was used to. If she was truthful to herself, the last time a man had smiled at her and stunned her was when she first started seeing Jack.

She had been infatuated with him and thought she would never see a smile as perfect as his. But with time, the smile had turned into a snarl, and she dreaded seeing his face, unsure what kind of mood he would be in and what she had done to annoy him that day.

It was only when the bartender arrived and asked what Taylor wanted to drink that she realised she was staring at him and should probably stop. Her eyes didn’t move, and she reminded herself that there was a table of her friends and colleagues behind her, who were likely watching her stare and simper at Taylor. The thought of embarrassing herself made her eyes fall back to the bar.

“Thanks. I’ll take a house burger and fries. A pint of the stone and wood IPA, and,” he turned to Clara, “I’m paying for whatever she’s ordering.”

Clara huffed loudly, about to object, when he spoke again.

“And she isn’t allowed to complain about it.”

She hesitated for a moment before sighing and saying, “Thanks. I’ll get you the next drink. I’d like a lemon, lime, and bitters, please,” she requested, smiling at the pretty bartender, who wasn’t even looking at her; instead, she was just staring at Taylor, a flirtatious smile on her face.

“And what are your friends having?” Taylor asked Clara.

“You don’t have to buy them a drink. I’ll get them.”

Taylor sighed and leaned in close to her ear while the bartender was distracted getting their drinks.

“Please don’t make me be that person and tell you how much I made last year. Because it will make me sound like an arrogant asshole. And I try to reserve that type of behaviour for when I’m on a film set.”

“Are you a diva?” Clara stared at him with wide eyes, trying to keep a straight face,

“No, I’m not a diva. My mum would kill me if I tried to pull that sort of stunt.”

“You’re a momma’s boy?” Clara teased, gently pushing his arm where it lay on the bar beside hers.

“No. I just have a healthy respect for the woman who has all my baby photos in a box under the bed. More to the point, all of the photos of me as a teenager.” He shuddered.

“Your mum would release them?” Clara’s eyebrows rose in question.

“Not normally, but if I start acting like an idiot, I can guarantee a few of them will find their way out. Likely one from the curtain bangs period of my childhood. Basically, I know better than to act the fool.” He smiled gratefully at the bartender as she placed their drinks down. “And we’d like—“ He elbowed Clara.

“And two more pints of the stone and wood, please,” she begrudgingly said. Even though she knew the disparity in their wealth, she didn’t want to seem like she was taking advantage of him.

“See, that wasn’t so hard to accept someone being nice. You should only hang out with people who are nice to you; you’re a pretty great person, you know that, right?” Taylor said softly.

Clara’s eyes snapped up to him, and she opened and closed her mouth as she tried to work out what to say.

Taylor didn’t seem to notice her bewilderment as he paid for their drinks and his meal, then loaded them all onto a tray before gesturing for her to walk in front of him over to the table.

When they got back, Taylor made his way around to the two men who wanted pints to hand them over and introduce himself.

Clara sat down, and Sadie reached over and clutched onto her arm, hissing, “He likes you.”

Clara shook her head in denial. “He’s just grateful.”

“Nope,” Sadie disagreed, shaking her head, a knowing look in her eyes. She would have said more, but the quiz master spoke.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to our weekly pub quiz. My name’s Ron, and I’ll be your host tonight.”

Quiet settled around the pub.

Taylor rushed back around the table and sat down next to Clara, his thighs pressing up against hers again as he squeezed into his too-small space.

“We have a fantastic evening ahead of us, with a quiz I’m sure you’ll all love,” Ron continued.

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