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“You know, you don’t need to sacrifice having a good time just because you’re a teacher. In fact, blowing off steam is necessary.”
I rolled my eyes. “Come on, CeCe. We’ve been through this a hundred times. I still go out, but-”
“You go out to sensible places with your sensible friends,” she interrupted, fixing me with a stern look as if challenging me to argue.
And I couldn’t. The truth was, I was still trying to prove myself in a new role, and I didn’t want to risk jeopardising it.
“You talk as if I’m a saddo who sits around knitting with a blanket over my knees and a cup of cocoa beside me,” I said, but I knew her words weren’t truly meant to offend me. “I’m here, aren’t I? And I didn’t even put up much of a fight.”
She grinned. “That’s true. So, does this mean we can do it more often?”
Smiling, I said, “Maybe. It beats dinner at one of Jade’s fancy parties.”
At the mention of my best friend, CeCe groaned. “Now, there’s a girl who’s old before her time. I mean, really. Twenty-five years old and the only thing she’s interested in is figuring out what to cook her future husband for dinner.”
I chuckled. “You know, your ability to hit the nail on the head with every point you make is really annoying.”
“But I am right.” She winked at me. “And that means you owe me at least one more night out.”
Rolling my eyes good-naturedly, I said, “Oh, God. What the hell do you have in mind for next time?”
She began to answer me, but my attention was drawn to a man who was just entering the pub. Tall with jet-black hair, a sharp jaw, and deep brown eyes. He wore faded blue jeans, a black shirt, and a black leather jacket, and he walked over to the bar with a swagger. Not the type of person I would usually have been attracted to—he looked way too self-assured—but something about him had made my knickers smoulder.
“You okay over there?” CeCe asked, a slight chuckle in her voice.
I swallowed hard to lubricate my suddenly dry throat and nodded. I still couldn’t drag my gaze from the good-looking guy who had caught my interest. He approached Mr Lewis and ordered a drink before the two of them sat at a nearby table together.
I figured I should stop staring because I didn’t want him to notice me, but at the same time, I wanted to keep on looking at him, drinking in his extreme hotness. He must have felt my eyes on him because he looked straight at me and winked, a sexy grin pulling at his lips.
I averted my gaze, but it was way too late. He’d caught me.
Forget it, I told myself, trying to steady my suddenly racing heart. Look at him. Could you be any more different?
“Do you need a change of underwear?” CeCe asked, still with amusement in her tone.
“What? No!” I rubbed my forehead with my hand as if hoping to erase the image of his filthy smile from my mind. My cheeks were hot, and I would have happily teleported out of the pub if I could to escape the churning sensations of embarrassment and arousal in my stomach. “Oh, God. Is he still looking?”
CeCe nodded, although she didn’t obviously turn in his direction. She could check out men with only the slightest movement of her eyes and still manage to catch the attention of her target. That was CeCe. Flirting level: Expert.
“Stay cool,” she said. “Have a drink. He’ll come over.”
“I don’t want him to come over!” I downed a large swig of my drink. “Sheesh, have you seen him? He’s not even my type!”
“Not your type?” CeCe raised her eyebrows. “Shannen, if you were any hornier, you’d be humping the table.”
My eyes bulged at her words, but her no-nonsense way of speaking triggered a burst of laughter. How this woman was allowed to teach impressionable five-year-olds was beyond me. Or maybe it was her wild streak that made her so popular with the little ones. I often heard the echo of children’s giggles when I passed her classroom. She had successfully mastered the skill of balancing learning with fun. I was more the gentle, nurturing kind of teacher, but I’d picked up a trick or two from my colleague over the past few months.
Refusing to turn in his direction again, I straightened my back. “Okay, okay. He’s good-looking. But that’s as far as it goes. I don’t want him over here.”
A smirk covered her pouty lips. “Liar.”
“I’m serious! I’m not looking for anything or anyone right now. I need to keep my focus on my career.”
She held up her hands, even though her expression screamed that she thought a fling was exactly what I needed. “Okay, fine. But I bet you ten quid you can’t resist turning around for another look before we need more drinks.”
“Trust me, I’m winning that bet.” I took another sip of my wine, still waiting for my heart to stop racing.
If I turned around, I was screwed.
