Page 25 of Just Do It
‘Ah. Hence you got dragged along so that I was less of a third wheel.’
He took a sip of his beer. ‘Dragged is a little strong.’
‘Well, don’t feel you have to sit here and keep me company.’
‘I don’t feel I have to.’
‘And yet, here you are.’
‘Would you prefer I go somewhere else?’ Azure eyes watched me over the rim of the glass.
‘I think the bar maid would prefer it.’
He huffed out a chuckle. ‘That’s not what I asked.’
‘I know Bella would.’
His laugh rang out as he took my hand and led me across the heaving room to a small corner bench seat that he’d spied was momentarily free. ‘What’s so funny?’ I asked as I half ran to keep up with his long strides, following in the wake his bulk made in the crush of people filling the place.
‘You,’ he said, as I plopped down on the padded corner bench, glad to be off my feet. The heels I’d bought recently with Colette looked amazing but they were more what I called dinner shoes. Perfect only for sitting at dinner.
‘Now what have I done?’
‘Avoided the question. Twice.’
‘I wasn’t avoiding it.’
He turned to face me, preparing to speak when a group of lads next to us jostled each other roughly, knocking into our table, sending both Finn’s pint and my wine into my lap.
‘Sorry, love.’ One of the group glanced over as I placed the now empty glasses back on the table.
‘Are you OK? Did anything break?’ Finn asked, his previously relaxed posture suddenly rigid and tense.
‘No, it’s fine.’
‘It’s hardly fine.’
‘Calm down, mate. It was an accident.’ The youngster turned back to his friends, pulling a face along with a smug smile.
Finn’s face was dark as he moved the table back and stood. The man who’d tossed the casual apology over did a double take as he took in all six foot five of a very displeased Finn. After some simple maths he spoke again, this time with a little more respect in his tone.
‘Bit cosy in here tonight, isn’t it? I’ll get you another round. What you having?’ he asked, his smugness morphing into an attempt at pally banter.
‘Thanks, but we’re actually leaving now.’ I wrapped my hand around Finn’s and began to tug him away. After a moment of resistance, he let me do so. I found Colette and Greg crushed in another corner. Her eyebrows raised as she took in the joined hands.
‘Tell you later. We’re leaving.’ I leant over, half shouting the words close to her ear.
‘Ooh la la!’ she replied, laughing.
‘No. Definitely not.’ I pointed at my soaked dress. ‘I’ll talk to you tomorrow.’ I kissed her face, now set into a confused expression, gave them both a quick hug and then led Finn out of the bar.
The cool sharp air of the autumn evening was a shock after the warmth of indoors. Added to that, the fact that my dress was now sticking to my body and chilling my bones, it wasn’t the ideal end to the evening.
‘You’re freezing,’ Finn said, placing his jacket around my shoulders. Colette and I had got a taxi here and planned a taxi back so jackets hadn’t seemed necessary. But then I hadn’t planned on wearing my drink, much less Finn’s.
‘I’m fine,’ I said, mentally having serious words with my teeth who were on the verge of going rogue and starting to chatter.
‘You need to get out of that dress.’
