Page 12 of Sparring Partners
“How home cooked pie and a pint of Badger’s isn’t anybody’s thing is beyond me. People have been commenting, saying it’s good to see you out and about.”
“Gossiping, you mean?”
Small communities and their never quenching thirst for something and someone to talk about. He’d already supplied enough fodder for them to feed on, and he wasn’t going to be dishing up more. Perhaps visits to the pub needed to get back to being strictly about deliveries.
“No, the villagers are glad to see you out and about. Other than on market day. You’re a grumpy sod, but for some inexplicable reason, people seem to like you,” Harry said cooly.
Adrian shifted under Harry’s steady gaze. How could a gangly twenty-three year old with carrot coloured hair and freckles to match make him feel like a bloody awkward teenager?
“You know what I heard the village described as, by one of the newcomers? Adestination. S’pose it’s because of the posh restaurants that have sprung up. And the wine bar and deli. Can’t beat The Fisherman’s, though. Even that Luca guy who runs The New House goes to pie night. He was there same time as you. Did you see him? He was with Alex Love and Ryan. And his boyfriend. Jonathan Something.”
“Think I saw them,” Adrian said, his voice tight.
Jonathan Something, with his swept back dark hair, a silver fox newcomer filled with charm and easy smiles. The self assured, smug newcomer… He didn’t know the guy, didn’t want to know him, would make it his business to never know him, but JonathanSomethingwas a type he knew too damn well, and to his cost.Christ, get a grip…Adrian’s fingers cramped from the force with which he’d unconsciously bunched his fists. He eased them loose, and flexed his tight jaw.
Luca, and Luca’s boyfriend. Jonathan Something. Just another reason to not go back.
Harry leant forward, as though to share a confidence. “Jonathan Thingy’s tongue was hanging out, and he looked mighty pissed off when Luca left. Don’t blame him though, because that Luca is bloody gorgeous.” A dopey grin broke out on Harry’s face, and Adrian glowered.
“He’s out of your league, so don’t waste your time,” Adrian bit out as he thrust his empty mug at Harry. “Besides, didn’t you say he’s got a boyfriend? Take it from me, Harry, that’s not somewhere you go.”
“Erm no, you’re right,” Harry said, his flushing face clashing horribly with his carrot hair. “No harm in day dreaming, though. Which is all it’ll be.” His mouth lifted in a wonky smile. “I’m too busy trying to persuade Kirsty from the Stop ’n’ Shop to go out with me.”
Adrian had no idea who Kirsty was.
“I reckon Jonathan Whats-It had better look out, though, because there are more than a few interested in Luca from what I hear. Menandwomen. Which probably pisses off Jonathan What’s-His-Face, because he knows he has to watch his back. Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?”
Harry opened his mouth to say something but instead shrugged, thinking better of it. “Best get on.”
As Harry set off towards the polytunnels, Adrian stared after him. His headache had dissipated but had been replaced by something else, something unsettling and uncomfortable, like an itch that moved around but couldn’t be held down long enough to scratch. He rubbed hard at the back of his neck. What business was it of his if Luca Graham was seeing somebody, or was being chased by half the village? None. That’s what it was. Absolutely, unequivocally none.
More than a few interested in him…Why should that be a surprise? Luca Graham was attractive. More than attractive. He might have been living like a monk but the guy’s appeal was impossible to ignore. But Luca could appeal to somebody else. Adrian flexed his shoulders and moved his head from side to side to ease out the tight, hard knots. The morning sun was heating up. It would be another warm day, and he had a mountain of work waiting for him.
Luca Graham was purely business and, for his own good, Adrian needed to remember that.
CHAPTERSEVEN
Luca stepped into bustling Harbour Coffee, the best and most popular café in the village, and immediately the tension leeched from his shoulders.
Troublesome, difficult guests. Wherever the hotel, however many star ratings and rave reviews, there would always be troublesome, difficult guests. Or in this specific case, a troublesome, difficult mother and daughter who from the moment they’d crossed over the threshold to the moment they had crossed back, had been a pain in the arse.
They had left in spectacular style, leaving in their wake a receptionist in tears and a disputed bar bill. They weren’t worth the trouble. He’d written it off and had told them, using a different form of words teamed with a bland, professional smile, to piss off and never come back. With peace restored, and the receptionist soothed, he needed a breathing space from the hotel for an hour or two.
At the counter, Declan, the senior barista, was leaning forward talking to and smiling at Charles, the café’s owner. Their attention was fixed on each other and Declan’s smile turned dark as Charles gave his arm a quick squeeze as he said something, before he turned and left, Declan following him with his eyes until Charles disappeared up a narrow, winding stairway. Luca smirked. They might just as well have hired a plane to fly over the village, trailing a big rainbow banner declaringDeclan and Charles Forever.
“Hi, Luca. Flat white?” Declan grinned, and Luca sighed.
“Please. I didn’t realise I’d become so predictable.”
“I know what all the locals like.”
“So I’m a local now?” The thought was… not unwelcome.
Declan laughed. “Take a seat and I’ll bring it over.”
Luca’s gaze swept across the busy café. There, tucked away in a corner in one of the many nooks and crannies, the edge of a small table poked out. Making his way over, ready to put down the paper bag he carried, he stumbled to a halt.
