Page 78 of The Little Flower Shop By the Sea
‘What you said about Jake,’ I hiss. ‘Didn’t you mean Ash?’
‘Oops, sorry, slip of the tongue!’ Amber grins, not looking at all embarrassed she’s said the wrong name.
‘Will you stop trying to get me and Jake together! We’re just friends and you know it. There’s nothing more going on between us and there never will be.’
‘Sure, I understand,’ Amber says, not looking as though she believes me.
‘It’s the truth!’
‘And you know 100 per cent that Jake feels that way?’
‘Feels that way about what?’
We both turn in the direction of the deep, gentle voice joining our conversation.
‘Hey, Jake,’ Amber manages first. As she turns back she pulls a face at me that Jake over her shoulder can’t see.
‘Feels that way about… women buying men drinks!’ I recover, breathing an internal sigh of relief. ‘Amber said you were still against it, and I said you were fine about it after I bought you one last night.’
Jake looks at us, puzzled, as Woody arrives with Amber’s Guinness.
‘Oh, Jake, you’re here.’ Woody glances with dismay at the pint he’s just bought for Amber. ‘Can I get you anything?’
‘A pint of my usual would be great, thanks, mate.’ Jake pats Woody on the shoulder and sits down in his seat.
Woody sighs and heads back to the bar.
‘So, no Ash tonight?’ Jake asks, casually picking up a bar menu from the middle of the table.
‘No, he’s at a stag party in Newquay,’ I tell him, feeling most awkward discussing Ash with him. ‘He’ll be back tomorrow.’
‘Nice. Can’t remember the last time I went to a stag do,’ Jake says, browsing the menu. ‘I’m sure he’ll have fun.’
I glance at Amber. She grimaces.
‘Yes, I’m sure he will,’ I say tersely. Obviously Jake isn’t at all bothered about Ash. My assumptions last night had been spot on.
‘So, are you getting food tonight?’ Jake asks, looking up from his menu.
‘Erm…’ I turn to Amber.
She nods enthusiastically.
‘Yes, why not?’ I say, determined not to feel so awkward around Jake. ‘We only had time for a quick snack at lunch, the shop was really busy today. I notice Richie has an ale pie on his specials board tonight, that’s always good.’
‘Sounds good to me!’ Jake says, putting down the menu. ‘What about you, Amber?’
‘I’m vegetarian,’ Amber says. ‘I’ll have whatever the veggie option is.’
‘Don’t you find that limiting when you go out to eat?’ Jake asks with interest. ‘I admire what you’re doing and everything – and I love animals, don’t get me wrong – but I’d miss my meat if I had to give it up.’
‘It depends where you go. Most restaurants have at least one non-meat option on the menu these days, if not more.’
Jake nods. ‘Well, good on you. It’s a great thing you do for our animal friends.’
‘Talking of which, where’s Miley tonight?’ I ask, suddenly missing her. Basil is back at the cottage, snuggled up in his bed. But Miley’s unlikely to be doing the same.
‘Bronte is making some sort of collage tonight for her art project at school, and Miley loves sticking stuff with glue. We figure it’s best to give her something we don’t mind being stuck down to play with, rather than finding our socks stuck to the walls when she’s a bit bored one day.’
