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Okay, this isn’t at all awkward. Rolling my eyes, I slumped down on the hard, uncomfortable chair that was the only seat left since Luke and Ashley had taken up the remaining space on the sofa. Groaning under my breath, I glugged my gin, coughing as I took a bigger gulp than planned.
“Looking cosy with my mate Bryan,” Luke said in a low voice, distractedly tracing patterns on his pint glass as Ashley turned away from him, chatting with Ethan. “Hoping to score with the rugby hero again?”
“Rugby hero? What?” My voice, even to my own ears, sounded flustered, and I took a deep, calming breath. “Oh, Alex? No, I was being his wingwoman. He’s going for a touchdown with the lovely Sarah.”
I pointed at the bar, then wrinkled my nose. “Touchdown? I’m not sure if that’s rugby terminology?” I mused to myself, catching Avery’s eye. She shrugged, her scrutinising gaze darting between me and Luke.
“Anyway, I don’t think you’re going to see Alex again tonight.” I forced out a chuckle, raising my head and directing my comment to Avery, choosing not to interact with Luke anymore.
Avery continued to look at me with an unreadable, faraway expression on her face, then seemed to shake herself out of wherever her mind had gone. “Knowing Alex like I do? I would expect nothing less from him, of course.” We both smirked and the awkwardness was forgotten for a moment. Forgotten, that is, until Ashley opened her mouth.
“This was a great choice for our date, Luke.” She looked around the pub in appreciation. “I love the cosy atmosphere.” Luke turned to her with an easy smile, and the sight of that smile, directed at Ashley, made my breath catch in my throat.
“Just going to the loos,” I mumbled to no one in particular, desperate to get away all of a sudden.
I stared at myself in the mirror over the sink. My cheeks were flushed, and I had a wild look in my eyes. Calm down. Splashing cold water on my face, I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, then used a paper towel to pat my face dry. Okay. I could do this. Time to go back out there and act normal.
Squaring my shoulders, I swung the door open and let out a squeak of fright. Luke stood leaning against the stone wall of the corridor, his arms folded, staring straight at me.
“Davenport? What are you doing lurking outside the toilets? Shouldn’t you be with your date?” I snarled the word “date,” my stupid jealousy rearing its ugly head.
“Jealous?” he drawled, raising an eyebrow.
“Why on earth would I be jealous? I don’t like you,” I snapped, flustered. Why is he here?
He pushed away from the wall, taking a step closer to me. I remained rooted to the spot, unable to move. He took another step, then another, until he was standing so close that I could feel his body heat. I closed my eyes, trying to block him out before I said, or even worse, did something I’d regret.
“Guess what?” His voice was soft, menacing.
“W-what?”
I felt his hot breath in my ear and a shiver ran down my spine.
“I don’t like you, either.”
“Good,” I whispered, trying to appear unaffected by his proximity, my unsteady voice betraying me. I concentrated on breathing in and out, willing my heart rate to slow. Despite my eyes being squeezed shut, I was hyperaware of the scant few centimetres of space that separated us; if I moved even slightly my breasts would be brushing his chest. My traitorous nipples hardened in response to that thought. Fuck. I cracked one eye open just in time to see Luke glance down. Too afraid to meet his eyes I dropped my gaze, hearing him swallow hard. His fists clenched tightly, and he muttered under his breath, his words too quiet for me to catch. Abruptly, he moved away from me, turning on his heel and striding away without a backward glance.
What just happened?
I’d have liked nothing better than to walk straight out of the pub, but I’d left my bag and jacket with the others. Groaning aloud, I steeled myself and walked back into the main pub area. Time to face the music and pretend that Luke Davenport didn’t affect me in any way.
Reaching the table, I didn’t dare to look in Luke and Ashley’s direction as I picked up my things. “Aves, I’m going to head home.”
“No, Liv, I’ve hardly seen you,” she protested, frowning worriedly at me.
“I’m tired. I didn’t sleep well last night. I’ll call you tomorrow,” I promised
her. “Bye, guys.”
I waved and hurried out of the bar before anyone else had a chance to say anything.
“Liv, wait!” Avery came rushing out of the door after me, panting as she caught up with me. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I…” How could I explain it to her when I couldn’t even explain it to myself? Struggling to gather my thoughts, I tried again. “I’m not in a social mood anymore. I’m sorry.”
“Is it Luke? We can go somewhere else. Or if you want time with me and you on our own, I can send Ethan home. He won’t mind.”
“It’s fine, I promise. Let’s get together at the weekend, yeah? Maybe see if Eddie’s free?”
