As they shouted over their orders, Tanya wrapped her hand around his arm. ‘Can we talk?’
‘Sure. Will it wait till things quieten down?’ A busy bar was not conducive to the sort of conversation they needed to have. One that she deserved, rather than his cowardly text avoidance.
An hour later, he caught Tanya’s eye and nodded towards the small office to the side of the bar.
When she slipped in, he closed the door behind her. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t respond to your texts.’
She nodded, moving to perch on his desk. As usual she was carefully made up, her hair poker straight, her red dress hugging curves he’d enjoyed unwrapping on and off over the last six months. ‘Too busy for sex?’
Her directness was one of the things he enjoyed about Tanya, but on this occasion he struggled with how to answer. His head might be stuck on Mia, yet it wasn’t like they were ever going to happen. ‘In a way, yes. The bar is proving to be a headache and for now it needs my full focus.’
‘Okay.’ Disappointment came and went in her eyes, but she smiled brightly at him. ‘I’m going to miss you shagging me senseless, but I guess I understand.’ Slipping off the desk, she put a hand on either side of his face. ‘Before I go, let me remind you what we have together.’ With that she tugged him towards her for a long, slow kiss.
Usually he’d be up for it, he was a huge fan of kissing, but tonight his head wasn’t in it. Carefully he drew back, dropping a final kiss on the top of her head. ‘I won’t forget,’ he whispered, before going to open the door.
Head high, shoulders back, she walked out ahead before turning and pausing to rub at a spot on his mouth with her thumb. ‘Red lipstick isn’t a good look on you.’ Giving the side of his face a gentle pat, she smiled. ‘When you’ve rid yourself of the headache, you’ve got my number.’
He wasn’t sure he’d be able to solve the headache that easily, nor if he did, that he’d ever use her number again. Still, he smiled back. ‘You’ll have found someone better by then. Maybe fallen in love.’
She threw back her head and laughed. ‘Love is bullshit, we both know that.’
Yeah, they did. ‘Well, don’t be a stranger, the bar needs the sales.’ He gave her a look loaded with affection. ‘And I need to see a friendly face now and again.’
She went to join the others and his eyes drifted back over to where Mia was sitting. At that moment she looked up and as their gazes collided, he felt that pull again. It wasn’t lust, not like he’d felt with Tanya and others before her. This was something more, deeper, a pull he felt in his core, as well as his groin. He wanted to ask her again what was wrong, because it was obvious something was, but she clearly didn’t want to tell him, so he had to respect her privacy.
Giving her a brief smile, he headed back to the bar. Moments later, he saw her and Stan head out.
Chapter Nine
Going to the bar with Stan had helped in a way. While she’d been stewing over Tanya, wondering about her texts to Luke, about the kiss they’d obviously shared in his office, she’d not been worrying about Elle.
Now she was back in her flat, and still she hadn’t had an update from Dave or her mum. Sure, it must be hard being the mum-to-be, pushing eight pounds of squirming baby out, and the dad-to-be, watching the pushing, but it was also bloody hard being the aunt-to-be. Even if it was second time round for all of them. Especially hard, because Elle had not had an easy time with her first, Caitlin, who ended up needing forceps to prize her out. Instruments of torture that have no place near a woman’s delicate parts, Elle had moaned afterwards. When Mia had gone online to find out what the forceps actually looked like, she’d almost lost her breakfast.
For the umpteenth time she stared at her phone, willing it to ring. Until it did, she wouldn’t be able to sleep.
Sighing, she returned her gaze to her computer screen, though it was more in hope than anything else. It turned out worry wasn’t conducive to writing romantic comedy.
That’s when she caught sight of movement in the window opposite. Holding her breath, she watched as Luke stuck up a sign.
JTOU.
Just thinking of you. Her heart bumped, but he wasn’t finished. A moment later there was another one next to it.
Hope UR OK.
Tears pricked at her eyes. This man she barely knew had known something was wrong, and had cared enough to show his concern.
She’d pushed him away because she had no place in her life for a player, yet she had a huge gaping hole in her life for a friend. What if he was offering that?
Before she could overthink it, Mia grabbed a black marker pen, scrawled three letters on a sheet of printer paper and stuck it in the window:
Thx
As she sat back on her chair, her phone finally burst into life. Mia snatched at it.
‘He’s out.’ Elle’s voice sounded both euphoric and full of emotion.
‘Oh God.’ Mia bit at her lip to try and stop the tears. ‘Are you okay? Is he okay?’
‘I’m knackered, but fine. He’s … oh Mia, he’s not a turnip, or a cabbage. He’s frigging perfect. Two eyes, a nose, fingers and toes. Everything. Here, Dave wants a word. He’ll tell you.’
There was a sound of rustling, and then her brother-in-law’s voice came on. ‘Hi Mia, your sister is a bloody marvel. A bit of gas and air, a lot of shouting, and then your nephew popped out. He’s got one hell of a set of lungs on him, just like she has, and he’s handsome like his dad. He’s looking forward to meeting you.’
It was all too much. Mia had tears streaming down her cheeks. Waves of longing, of acute loneliness, washed through her. She’d drive down tomorrow and take Monday off, catch up the work in the evenings. Eight weeks was too long not to see her family. And twelve hours too long not to see her brand-new nephew.
Just as she’d dried her face, her mum came on the phone which precipitated another round of over-emotional, happy tears.
As she finally got ready for bed, Mia looked across at Luke’s window again. Taking up the marker pen, she scrawled:
New nephew!
Then crashed out with a smile on her face.
The next morning, the first thing she did was check her phone. No missed calls, no new messages. Everything must be okay.
The second thing she did was look across at Luke’s flat. There she did find a new message.
Congrats Aunt Mia
A grin slid across her face. Maybe it was daft, but his messages made her feel less alone. Like she had someone looking out for her.
He might, if you give him a chance.
The thought stuck with her on the long journey down to Somerset. The moment she knocked on her sister’s house though, all she could think was how amazing it was to hug someone. And how incredibly cute her new nephew was.
‘OMG, he’s like a doll.’
Dave, who’d answered the door, looked at her in horror, his protective genes already kicking in. Caitlin, three but wise beyond her years, giggled. ‘Jakey is a doll.’
‘Jacob is a baby,’ Dave corrected, reaching to stroke his son’s cheek. ‘And until your aunt realises that she doesn’t get to cuddle him, because you have to be very careful with babies.’
‘My doll lost its head,’ Caitlin told Mia proudly. ‘I pulled it.’
Mia winced and mouthed sorry to Dave, who shook his head and muttered something about her always being a trouble-maker. ‘Your parents are on their way and Elle’s in the bedroom, trying to find some clothes to cover her saggy bits. Her words. I’m sure she won’t mind you going up.’
Mia dashed up the stairs and threw her arms around her sister.
‘God, I’ve missed you, missed this,’ Mia said as they sat side by side on Elle’s bed. They talked birth and babies, including how a minor tear was far easier to handle than an episiotomy – not that Mia would ever have to worry about it, the way her love life was progressing.
‘We won’t leave it so long next time.’ Elle bumped shoulders with her. ‘Mum’s going to
be here any minute, and you know I need an update on the hot bar owner. Any more messages?’
Her sister’s expression went all soft and gooey when Mia told her about the ones from last night. ‘He was thinking of you? That’s so sweet.’ She took hold of Mia’s hand and squeezed it. ‘You know, just because he isn’t boyfriend material, doesn’t mean he wouldn’t make a good friend.’
‘I know. And I messaged him back so, well, we’ll see.’
‘I’m so going to get a vicarious thrill from this.’ Elle beamed at her. ‘And it would make a great plot for your next book. Just think, ogling across a courtyard, secret messages in windows, friends to lovers.’
‘Whoa, I haven’t written the first one yet. And you just agreed he wasn’t boyfriend material.’
‘Hey, I’m enjoying a moment here, don’t ruin it.’ Her sister clasped her hands against her chest in a totally over-the-top romantic gesture. ‘Who said I’m talking about the bar owner, anyway? Stan’s the man who’s already had a date with you.’
She tried to say it with a straight face, but soon the pair of them dissolved into fits of laughter. It was only as they finally managed to gather themselves that Mia acknowledged how much she’d missed exactly this. Laughing so much it hurt, with someone she felt comfortable enough to really let go with.
Sunday was proving to be a bleh sort of day for Luke. The bar wasn’t as busy as it should be, the rain putting off the crowd who usually gathered on a late summer afternoon to while away a few hours before meandering home for dinner.
In the past quiet days had been easy days. Now Luke spent them worrying.
‘For God’s sake smile.’ Clearly worried he’d forgotten how to do it, Sandy gave him a big cheesy demonstration. ‘Your current look isn’t good for business.’
‘Err, remind me who the boss is?’
She rolled her eyes. ‘The boss is the one who seems to have lost his mojo.’
‘Hey, I’ve not lost anything.’ Except money, though technically that had vanished before he’d taken over.
Sandy studied his face, and whatever she saw made her frown. ‘Something’s up, what is it? Grace okay?’
‘Yes, she’s fine. She’s in Italy now, or she was last time she called.’ Their conversations had been too infrequent, but it wasn’t her fault he needed more, it was his. He missed her. He might spend most of his life surrounded by people, but there were very few he could really talk to.
‘Okay, so if it’s not Grace, what?’
He owed Sandy and Mateo a conversation, he realised. After all, if he failed to turn things round, they would be affected, too.
‘Grab Mateo and meet me in the office.’ Walking over to the door, he flung the sign to Closed. Then waved at the few customers still left. ‘If you fancy another drink, help yourselves. We’re in the office if you need us.’
Closing the bar and giving away free drinks probably wasn’t on the how to make your bar profitable in five easy steps list. Then again, he’d yet to find the damn list.
He didn’t sugar coat the issue, though he did try to remain upbeat. ‘This is just between us. Phil knows, because he’s the one who discovered it, but we tell nobody else, is that clear?’ When they both inclined their heads, he added, ‘I’m not planning on losing the place, or any of the staff. Instead I’m working on ideas to increase business. Themed evenings, maybe flyers to the residents, giving them a discount.’ He eyed them both. ‘If you’ve got stuff to add, don’t hold back. The only stupid idea is the one you keep to yourself.’
Mateo flexed his biceps. ‘How about topless bar staff?’
Sandy raised an eyebrow. ‘I presume that’s just for the men?’
‘Okay, let me rephrase,’ Luke interjected. ‘The only stupid idea is the one you keep to yourself, or anything that turns the place into a strip club.’
‘Gotcha.’ Sandy gave him a considered look. ‘Have we got a Facebook page? A website?’
Luke groaned, rubbing his hands over his face. ‘How bad would I sound if I admit I don’t actually know?’
‘Hey, give yourself a break, man.’ Mateo gave him a cheeky grin. ‘All that modern stuff’s hard to keep track of when you’re old.’ Ignoring the glare Luke directed at him, Mateo slipped his phone out of his pocket and tapped on the screen. ‘The Bar Beneath is listed on Google but doesn’t have a website or a Facebook page. Bill was hardly social media savvy. He probably didn’t bother with it all.’
‘Okay, I’ll ignore the age dig and put it on the list.’ Luke shot himself an email reminder, not because he was old, but because it was the smart thing to do. Like having the accounts of a business checked properly before buying it. And knowing basic things about it like its online presence.
‘You know who could help you with the website.’ Mateo had a small smile on his face. ‘She comes to the bar now and again.’
‘Who?’ As Mateo’s smile turned into a smirk, Luke had a feeling he already knew.
‘The lady you’ve got a thing for.’
‘What lady?’ Sandy glanced between the pair of them. ‘And why don’t I know about this?’
‘You don’t know, because it’s a secret.’ If anything, Mateo’s smirk had got even … smirkier.
‘Nobody knows,’ Luke interrupted, ‘because there is no thing.’ Before Mateo could drop him in it any further, Luke added, ‘Right, we’d better get back out there and look after the few customers we do have.’
Mateo jumped to his feet and dashed out, sneaky coward, but Sandy put a hand to Luke’s chest and stopped him. ‘Three things.’
‘Three?’ He stared at the clock on the wall. ‘God, I might never get out of here.’
Sandy punched him on the arm. ‘First, the stuff I said about the social media. If you do anything about it, I want in.’
He’d already decided to ask Sandy to do it, so that was an easy win. Still, wouldn’t harm to make her sweat a bit, considering all the grief she gave him. ‘I’ll consider it. Next.’
She huffed, but clearly decided to save her fight for another day. ‘This hole in the accounts. Does Bill know about it? I really like the guy, but if he’s diddled you—’
‘Chill.’ Because she looked so fiercely protective, Luke brought a hand to her face, cupping it gently. ‘I appreciate the loyalty, but Bill’s been like a dad to me. No way was he aware of this.’
Sandy stared back at him, then exhaled long and slow. ‘Crap, you’re not going to tell him either, are you?’
Luke dropped his hands and turned away. How could he? Sure, Bill could give him the contacts of the previous people who’d done the books, and maybe then Luke could find out who’d screwed the business, maybe recover some of the money, but at what cost? Bill would be mortified. Worse, he’d probably want to pay him back, and Luke knew for damn sure finding that sort of money wouldn’t figure in Bill’s retirement plans.
‘Luke?’
He swivelled back to face her. ‘This is my issue, Sandy, and I’m going to fix it. All Bill needs to know is we’re trying to increase turnover.’
There was a pause while she studied his face. Then she sighed. ‘Fine.’ Surprising him, she kissed him on the cheek.
‘What was that for?’
‘Being one of the good guys. Most people in your situation would have gone to the previous owner, all guns blazing.’
‘No, most would have done their homework properly before buying the place.’ But he’d learn from it. ‘You said three things?’
‘Who’s the girl Mateo mentioned? The one you’ve got a thing for. And before you deny it, remember I’m your oldest friend. We talk about this stuff. At least we used to.’
Because she looked not just put out, but upset, he wrapped an arm around her and hugged her close. ‘I’ll tell you when and if there’s anything to tell. I promise.’
‘Okay.’ She threw him a look as they reached the door. ‘I think I might have a chat with Mateo and swop one of my shifts to the evening. Just, you know, to see what goes on.’
He laughed, aware Sandy would wheedle it out of him sooner or later. But until she did, he would enjoy this spark, these shoots of something. Because yesterday, Mia had messaged him back. Not only that, she’d shared her good news with him. He could even have been one of the first she’d told. Call him soft, but that meant something.
Later that evening, after the bar had closed, he paced his flat, wondering whether to leave Mia another message. He wanted the connection, but given her initial reticence he didn’t want to seem too pushy. It was likely she’d only replied yesterday because she’d been on emotional overload, swinging between worry about what he guessed was her sister giving birth, then joy knowing she was an aunt.
She’d had all day today to message him again, but she hadn’t.
He’d not seen any lights on in her flat since he’d been back though, so maybe she wasn’t there. Maybe she was visiting her new nephew.
Sod it, he’d never been one to back down. Taking the pen he’d left by the window, he considered what to write. He wanted to ask to meet up, but he suspected that might scare her off again, so he settled for something he figured a new aunt couldn’t ignore.
Cute rating 1–10?
Chapter Ten
Mia drove back to Manchester on Monday evening following a lunch catch-up with Gill and Heather. The conversation had gone something like: yes the guy opposite was still sending her messages, yes she’d replied, no she wasn’t interested in dating him. After her last answer, they’d both cracked up laughing.
‘We always pegged you as the smart one,’ Gill had observed, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. ‘But you’ve lost some brain cells if you think you’re going to remain immune to a hot guy sending you love notes in his window.’
She’d tried to argue they were hardly love notes, but it had been no use. The pair of them were clearly writing their own script.
Mr Right Across the Street: The perfect escape for lockdown and from one flat to another share in the most feel good romantic comedy of 2021! (The Kathryn Freeman Romcom Collection, Book 4) Page 7