Page 29 of Prove You Wrong

Focused on snaggingthe bartender, I don’t notice Nate approach until he’s right behind us.

'Hello ladies, it's great to see you've come again.' Nate's dimple flashes and part of me feels like I might die of embarrassment. But another part of me, the outrageous part I’ve only recently discovered and definitely shouldn't let out in public, is wondering if he would be so kind as to oblige mecomingagain. And again. And again.

Luckily, Josie’s introducing herself and asking him about the quiz while I’m at a loss for words, let alone a witty retort.

‘It's a tenner a head to enter. Just the two of you?’

‘Seems to be,’ Josie replies vaguely, peering along the bar. ‘I’m gonna do as I’m told and nip to the bathroom. Excuse me.’

I watch Josie walk away. Nate is still looking at me, eyes twinkling with mischief.

This might be my only chance to talk with him without Josie witnessing my mortification. My pulse spikes.

‘Hi.’ It takes a moment to get my thoughts in order. ‘About the other night … ’

‘Remind me. The nightwhere you trespassed and started, what did you call it?Feng shu’ingthe beer garden? Or the one where you … ’ He trails a finger down my arm and for a moment a shiver of ecstasy runs over my skin.

‘You know what I’m talking about.’ I cut him off. Voice serious, but volume low. ‘I’m sorry. It shouldn’t have happened.’

‘Was there a problem with your order, madam?’ He wiggles his eyebrows playfully.

‘Not so loud,’ I implore with a murmur. It feels like my heart’s going to jump out of my mouth.

‘Okay,’ he stage-whispers. ‘We don’t do refunds, but would you like to order an alternative?’ Eyes dancing, he puts on a mock salesman’s voice. ‘And did you know, for returning customers there’s a three for two offer on — ’

‘I’m being serious.’ I grasp his arm to try and stop him fooling around. The granite of his biceps distracts me momentarily.

He flexes, bringing me back to the present. There’s a wry grin on his face and I can’t decide whether to slap it or kiss it. I content myself in rolling my eyes. ‘It didn’t happen, okay?’

‘I think you’ll find it most certainlydidhappen.’

‘It’s not going to happen again.’

‘Why not?’ He crosses his arms across his broad chest, his tattoos peering nonchalantly out from under his sleeve.

‘Because … ’ I gesture uncertainly in his general direction.

I felt clear when I rehearsed this in my head. Now I’m standing by him, smelling his aftershave, seeing his smile, trying not to laugh at his cheeky nature, I can’t quite remember why not. ‘All the reasons I said last time.’

He cocks his head to the side, waiting for me to elaborate.

My mind is bamboozled. ‘You’re … bad,’ I finish lamely.

‘Bad?’ His eyebrows are almost through the roof. ‘You seemed to think I was alright at the time.’

‘Not you.Youweren’t … bad.’ I rush to try and correct myself, cheeks flaming. ‘It’s just, nothing’s changed to make me think you’re not a …badboy.’ Cringing, I know what I mean but it’s not coming out right.

‘So,I’ma bad boy?’ He repeats. ‘And you’regood?’

‘Are you going to repeat everything back to me?’

‘Just trying to make sure I understand.’ He dips his head to one side.

‘I … just … I need to be good. A good influence.’ I’m tripping over my words. ‘For my sister. And you’re … I won’t be able to do that … with you.’

Nate’s holding my gaze. There’s a curl to his mouth, a crinkle to his eyes, like I’m amusing him. But there’s an unnerving intensity too.

Before he can reply, Josie returns. Thank goodness that horrific exchange is over. I can tell she’s touched up her makeup and I wonder if her new beau is around anywhere.

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