‘Did you have to tell Jess that Boxercise story?’
Nick shrugged. ‘Jess wanted details, and it was the first thing that came into my head. It’s always easier to tell a lie if there’s a grain of truth in it.’
Nick’s face was unreadable, but I suddenly felt uneasy. He was talking like he’d had a lot of practice telling porkies. Was he a serial liar? And was I being suckered right now?
‘We’re here because you want to coax Jess into forgiving Marcie, correct?’
‘Correct.’
‘So let’s see some movement in that direction. I know you can’t ask her point blank, so let’s see some evidence of that silver tongue.’ I held up my hand before he could speak. ‘In plain English: flirt with her.’
Irritation flashed in his eyes. ‘Well, by introducing me as your boyfriend, you’ve somewhat tied my hands.’
‘I’m suggesting you flirt with her, not shag her on the table.’
He turned his head away and took a long breath, his chest rising and falling.
‘What do you want to drink?’
Perfect. He’d changed the subject rather than answer me.
I huffed impatiently. ‘It’s my round.’
He shook his head. ‘You’ve gone to a lot of trouble to arrange this evening, so the next round’s on me. What can I get you?’
‘Surprise me.’
I knew I sounded ungrateful, but I didn’t care. I spun round and headed back outside. My legs were shaking and my senses felt heightened. The champagne was definitely having an effect because talk of Nick’s tongue, tied hands, and shagging on tables had thrown up all sorts of racy images in my head.
God, what was wrong with me? How sexually frustrated was I?
It was all very well Simon wanting to take things slowly, but at this rate, I wasn’t sure how long I could last.
I got back to the table and almost did a double-take: Simon was lighting up a cigarette. And he’d always been such a rabid non-smoker.
His cheeks hollowed as he sucked in a breath and then he tipped his head back and blew out an elegant plume of smoke.
You’re ruining your beautiful, beautiful lungs, I wanted to say.
But damn, you look hot doing it.
Okay, that was definitely the champagne talking. Men who smoked only ever became attractive when I was a few sheets to the wind.
My eyes met Simon’s as I sat down. ‘You’re smoking.’
He looked at the cigarette in his hand like he was just noticing. ‘Yeah. Helps me relax.’
What had stressed him out so much? Talk of my Boxercise class with Nick? I guess Nick was right. It had convinced everyone – even Simon, who knew it was all an act.
‘Where are the drinks?’ said Jess.
‘Nick’s bringing them.’
‘I should go and help,’ she said.
When she was gone, I took hold of Simon’s free hand. ‘Don’t smoke.’
He nodded and extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray that contained at least a dozen of Jess’s butts.
