Page 43 of Wish You Knew
“How was your afternoon with my mum?” asked Bas, leaning back against the bar, angling his body towards Rosie.
Rosie smiled. “Good. Strange at times, but good. She’s an interesting woman.”
“I have no doubt she regaled you with stories of her past.”
“Not to mention stories ofyourpast.” Rosie cracked a grin.
An unexpected pang of jealousy ripped through me. What had Vivian been telling Rosie about Bas? I didn’t like it one bit.
“Here you go.” The bar man placed the four balloon glasses down in front of Bas. “Do you want me to start a tab?”
“No, Scott will get this round.” Bas gestured to me with his chin as he picked up two of the glasses. “We’ll go find a table.”
Rosie followed him, carrying the other two glasses, and suddenly I was left on my own. The jealousy gave way to confusion and a simmering anger. How dare he?
The bar man threw open his hands. “Cash or card?”
Stung for the bill, I reached into my jacket and pulled out my wallet.
Vivian appeared next to me. “Let me, darling.” She smoothed in and tapped the card machine with her gold card. “What’s the matter?”
My gaze found Bas and Rosie, who were chatting animatedly, their heads bent close together.
Vivian looked in the same direction. “Ah, those green eyes are back.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You think Bas is making a move on Rosie, and even though you haven’t told her how you feel, you don’t think he should.” Her eyebrows arched as she looked back at me. “Am I right?”
I hated how on the ball she was. How was she able to see everything without me having to say a word? Not to mention how right she was. I let out a hard breath.
“Rosie said you were friends with benefits. Scott, you need to be more than friends with that woman, or you will lose her forever.” Vivian brushed a strand of silver hair away from her face. “And you need to do it soon before Sebastian steps in.” She glided away towards the table, leaving me alone to contemplate what she’d said.
There was absolutely no doubt she was right.
If I didn’t get my act together soon, there would be no hope for me and Rosie.
Sometime later, I swallowed down my fifth double gin and tonic. The more I had, the better they tasted. Unfortunately, they hadn’t done much to dull the twinges of envy which pierced my heart every time I looked between Rosie and Bas.
They hadn’t done anything more than talk and laugh, with the occasional touch. Bas’s hand lingered on Rosie’s arm more than once. By the third instance, my foot accidentally slipped under the table and delivered a swift kick to his shin.
“What the fuck, Scott?” His blue eyes bored into mine.
“Sorry, mate,” I slurred. “Must have lost my balance.”
His mouth twisted into a sneer. “You’re sitting down?”
I shrugged and lifted my glass to my mouth again.
“Haven’t you had enough tonight?” he asked.
“What are you? My babysitter?” Out of sheer awkwardness, I drained the remainder of the drink and waved the glass in the air. “I think I’ll have another.”
“Scott, slow down.” Rosie warned, her amber eyes fixed on me. “Bas is right, you’ve had enough.”
“Maybe I have had enough,” I hissed. “Enough of seeing you flirting with my cousin. Enough of not knowing what we are to each other. Enough ofyou.”
She blinked, her lips parting, ready to speak.
