Page 79 of It Was Always You

She folded her arms across her chest. This didn’t help Adam. All it did was push her breasts upwards, creating more cleavage.

Her lips were pursed and her nostrils flared. ‘Well, thanks, I think. Don’t overdo the enthusiasm or anything. I’m only doing you a huge bloody favour, Adders.’

He closed his mouth briefly, feeling a little confused. ‘Lily, I’m very sorry. What I meant to say was you look stunning.’

A smile spread across her face… Lily’s quite beautiful face. Shit, stop that right now, dickhead. It’s Lily. Remember? Lily who you’ve known your whole life? Get a grip.

Trying to rid himself of whatever the hell this feeling was, he gestured towards the taxi.

‘Come on, Cheesy, or we’ll be late.’ He turned and made for the car as quick as his legs would carry him. He heard Lily cursing and locking her door.

Drinks were being served when they arrived. Adam quickly made his way to the bar and ordered a double Jack Daniels. Lily opted for a more sophisticated glass of red wine. He was unreasonably nervous. But then again, he was up for promotion to Head of English and at such a young age everything he did from now would create a certain impression. He had to get that job.

‘Go steady, Adders. You’ll be in no fit state to dance at this rate!’ Lily snorted as he downed the bourbon almost in one go. ‘Look, I’m off to the Ladies’, seeing as you rushed me out the door. Try not to get sloshed in the five minutes I’m gone, okay?’

He nodded. ‘Yeah, okay.’ He watched her walk away, hips swaying in the dress that accentuated every curve he’d never really noticed before. He groaned. What the hell is wrong with me? I seriously need to get laid. That’s it. It must be. If I’m ogling my best friend, then it must be desperation point.

He noticed Jaz, real name Jared, as if that wasn’t bloody cool enough on its own, Malone across the room. The new American music teacher. He was every teenage girl’s fantasy and had caused quite a stir amongst the females at the school in the short time he had been working there.

He was all male-model good looks, messy dark hair, muscles, and coolness. He had tattoos too, apparently. He had heard one of the younger female members of staff telling another in the staff room, ‘He has, you can see them when he wears his white shirt. They look all tribal. Oh, what I wouldn’t do to get a proper look.’ The two women had swooned.

Adam secretly rolled his eyes when the image of male perfection came and stood next to him, beer bottle in hand.

‘Armstrong.’ He nodded as he spoke in his American drawl.

‘Malone.’ Adam nodded in return. God, he was the epitome of cool and it made Adam sick. He even makes a bloody penguin suit look good.

‘Your wife is smoking hot, man,’ Jaz informed Adam as he too watched Lily sashay towards the Ladies’.

‘She’s not my wife,’ Adam said plainly, regretting it immediately.

‘So, what then, fiancée? Girlfriend?’

Adam took a swig of the depleted contents of his glass. ‘Best friend.’

Jaz nodded and his eyes lit up. ‘Really? So, is she single?’

Adam scowled. ‘Erm, no. She’s in a relationship with some Spanish guy. I think it’s pretty serious.’ Whaaat? What am I saying?

A look of disappointment clouded Jaz’s features. ‘Oh, right. Yeah, that figures, I guess. Damn shame though, man. I bet you wished she was more than a friend, huh? With looks and a body like that, maaan, she’s got curves to die for.’ Jaz grinned as he shook his head. ‘What I wouldn’t give…’

Adam’s face heated rapidly and the urge to smack Jaz almost overtook him.

He slammed his glass down and opted to rein the urge in. ‘Actually, Lily and I have been friends since we were kids, so I don’t appreciate hearing her being objectified that way. She’s a person, Malone. And she’s off limits, got it?’

Jaz held his hands up in surrender. ‘Okay, my man. Sorry if I offended you. I can see you’ve got it bad, dude. I apologise.’

Before Adam could make further comment, Lily rejoined them at the bar. ‘Hey, Adders, who’s your friend?’

Jaz held out his hand to her. ‘Jaz Malone, music teacher at the fine institution your best friend here works at.’ Jaz emphasised the words best friend as if trying to get under Adam’s skin. It worked.

Lily blushed as she shook his hand. ‘Nice to meet you, Jaz. You’re of the American persuasion, I take it?’

‘Sure am. Seattle born and raised.’

Lily bit her bottom lip.

Adam’s gaze darted between Lily and Jaz. Great. She bloody fancies him too. The talented arse with the looks and the cool bloody accent. Typical.