‘What? No, of course not.’ He waited until she looked back at him. ‘I told you before, Tanya and me, we’re just—’
‘People who have sex with each other from time to time,’ she cut in quietly. ‘It’s clear that’s what you think, but is it what she thinks?’ Before he could answer, she held up her hand. ‘You know what? Forget I said anything. It’s really none of my business. I just thought, as your friend, you should know Tanya wasn’t happy when she heard I’d been out with you. Obviously I made it clear you were only showing me Manchester as payback for me doing your website.’
‘Obviously,’ he returned wryly, disappointment settling in his gut. He’d hoped Wednesday night, when she’d melted in his arms, would prove to be a turning point and she’d realise how dumb her friends-only rule was. Hell, the chemistry pinging between them was so palpable even Mateo had picked up on it.
She might be aware of it, but she doesn’t want it.
He sighed. There was that.
‘So, thanks for the drinks.’
As he took her card and rang up the drinks, he reminded himself ‘friends’ was better for him, too. Women were complicated; they didn’t always think the way he did. They were like a puzzle, and just when he thought he’d found the answer, he’d be blindsided by something he’d not expected. The bar was providing enough complications, he didn’t need more.
Besides, Mia wasn’t a girl a guy had a fling with, and he was a guy who only did flings.
Seeing Mia again as a mate, though? Someone who’d take him out of his head for a while, with the added bonus that he enjoyed her? That he could look forward to. All he had to do was stop thinking about how unconsciously sexy she was.
Or how much he wanted to peel off her simple black shirt and jeans so he could get his hands on the curves he knew lay beneath.
Curves he bloody well had to stop thinking about. Shaking himself, he handed her card back. ‘I’ll see you soon, yes? For non-date number three?’
She nodded, her fingers touching his as she reached for it. Immediately he felt a fizz across his skin. Her gaze jumped to his and he knew she’d felt it too, those blue eyes blazing with heat, and with confusion. But then she quickly ducked her head and spent the next minute meticulously placing the card back in her purse.
When she finally looked back at him, her feelings were back under control. ‘I’ll keep an eye on your window for my next adventure.’ Her lips twitched. ‘That is unless you’ve run out of Manchester hot spots.’
He laughed, relieved. ‘There’s ninety-eight more of them. You’re in this for the long haul, Mia. Better get used to the idea.’
Maybe by then she’d get so used to it, to him, she’d drop her guard and let him in, he thought as she walked away.
And while he was on the elusive maybes, maybe by then he’d have turned the bar round, and no longer be waking up in a cold sweat, wondering if he really was capable of any of this. The bar or the woman.
The following day, Luke met Tanya at a café near her flat. Usually when he took her out he went to her place first to pick her up, but he didn’t want to give the wrong impression.
Today there’d be no hasty sex in the hallway. No forgetting the date entirely and spending it in her bedroom instead.
‘Well, this is a first.’ Tanya gave him a breezy smile as she slid onto the chair opposite him. ‘I don’t usually get the joy of your company in the morning.’
He signalled for another cup of coffee, allowing her words to sink in. Sure, he hadn’t met her for coffee before, but surely… ‘I’ve never stayed over?’
Slowly she shook her head. ‘I asked a few times, but you said something about having to get back to feed a rabbit.’ She gave him a wry smile. ‘I assumed it was an excuse.’
‘It wasn’t.’ Yet it clearly had been, because it wasn’t like Pickles would have starved if she’d missed a morning feed, though she might have sniffed out a wire or two to gnaw through instead. ‘I do have a rabbit.’
‘Wow.’
‘Long story.’ And that was one thing he’d never done with any of the women he’d dated. Delved into the long stories. It wasn’t what they wanted from him. He was the bartender they enjoyed flirting with, the guy with the muscles they wanted to hook up with. And it suited him just fine.
Well it had, until Mia had come into his life. Now he wanted to talk, to do things that didn’t involve getting horizontal on a bed. Scratch that, things that didn’t only involve getting her on a bed.
The waitress settled the mug in front of Tanya and he stared guiltily back at the woman who should be his focus this morning.
‘I’m sorry I never stayed over,’ he told her quietly. ‘You deserved more from me.’
She shook her head. ‘I didn’t expect any different. I know what we’re about.’
It was true, yet he couldn’t help but feel a prick of unease. Of guilt. He hadn’t always been this man, the one who had sex with a woman but didn’t stay over. Sometimes didn’t even take her out on a date, first.
‘Maybe I should have put that in the past tense.’ She smiled sadly at him. ‘You’ve got that look on your face. Like you’re about to tell me something you don’t think I want to hear.’
He winced. ‘Shit, I’m never playing poker with you.’ Taking a swig of his coffee, he looked her in the eye. ‘I’ve loved our times together, but I don’t think we should keep seeing each other. Not now.’
She nodded, her expression giving nothing away. ‘Because?’
Yeah, great question. He was still a free agent. Mia didn’t want to date him, so why was he about to give up sex whenever he wanted it? Because it no longer feels right, not since you met Mia. He swallowed, choosing his words carefully. ‘It isn’t fair to keep this going, not now my head is mixed up with the idea of another woman.’
Her eyes snapped to his. ‘Is it Vicky?’
He shook his head. ‘No.’ Shame coiled through him. Both had known about the other, but where before he thought that made it okay, now he could see it only meant he’d short-changed all of them.
‘Chloe?’
The conversation was starting to remind him of the one he’d had with Mia in the coffee shop, and he didn’t like how it made him feel. ‘Nothing happened with Chloe, and nothing’s happened with this person, either.’ He huffed out a breath. ‘It probably never will, but it still doesn’t feel right to continue seeing you.’
‘I see.’ She took a long, slow sip of her coffee, and when she finally looked at him again, her smile was tinged with sadness. ‘Well, it was good while it lasted, right?’
God, he hated doing this, hurting someone, yet it was clear that Tanya had been more invested in their time together than he’d thought. Reaching across the table, he took hold of her hand. ‘It was good, but you deserve better. And now you’re not seeing me, you’ll find it.’
She nodded. ‘Maybe. And what about you? Will you find it, too?’
That was a great question. ‘I don’t know.’ He gave her a wry smile. ‘I only know I’ve reached a crossroads and rather than keep going down the same path, I’m wondering about taking a different one.’
Chapter Sixteen
When Mia made it to her desk on Monday morning, coffee mug in hand, still wearing her PJs, she found activity going on in the flats opposite. Immaculate Woman was feverishly typing away on her computer, fully dressed, though this time her long brown hair was loose. In Luke’s window, there was not one, but two messages.
Sandy says
* * *
coffee @ Naomi’s
* * *
2day 11 a.m.
* * *
Nerd stuff
She suspected the last line was Luke’s own.
The second message was definitely from him, another two lines accompanied by a drawing of what looked like a paint palette.
Non-date no 3
* * *
Weds p.m.?
Good Lord, what on earth was he planning this time? Picking up a sheet of
paper she wrote:
Sandy – yes
After sticking it on the glass she wondered how to reply to his invite to … paint? It couldn’t be an art gallery could it? Not that she had anything against them, but he really didn’t seem the type. As she deliberated she saw the shadow of him in the window. It looked like he was writing and sure enough, a few seconds later, he’d removed the message from Sandy and stuck another in its place.
No 3 is not to view
* * *
my etchings
* * *
Honest.
Laughter burst out of her and before she realised what she was doing, she’d scrawled:
Shame
Of course the moment she’d stuck the sheet up, she regretted it. They didn’t do flirting – wait, no, she didn’t do it, because she couldn’t flirt with a guy at the same time as saying she didn’t want to date him. It gave out mixed messages.
He must have shifted closer to the window, because now he wasn’t a shadow. Now she could clearly see him as he posted his reply. And then looked straight into her window.
For U
* * *
I will learn 2
* * *
etch
Prickles raced across her skin as her gaze connected with his. Oh God, what was she doing, playing with fire like this? It was dangerous and yet … her heart began to race, her stomach to swoop. When had she last felt such excitement?
Mia drew in a deep breath, made herself remember why Luke was so wrong for her. Not just that he was a charmer, a man who couldn’t help but flirt with every woman he saw. Or a player who seemingly couldn’t help but sleep with most of them. He was also the cool guy, the dishy, ripped man all the women wanted. History had taught her cool guys didn’t go for nerds. Yet the coolest guy you’ve ever met has said he fancies you.
Once again she felt the dip of her stomach.
Picking up the pen she carefully wrote:
Weds 3 p.m.
* * *
No etchings needed
Releasing the breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding, she stepped back, away from the window. And caught his final message just as she sat down at her desk.
Shame
Sandy was a breath of fresh air. Like Naomi – who had given her a fair amount of stick since she’d found out Luke was the hot guy leaving her messages – Sandy was funny and totally grounded. Unlike Chloe and the girls, who Mia enjoyed but didn’t feel a kinship with, she suspected if she’d met Sandy at school, she’d still be best mates with her now.
‘You really don’t mind helping with this?’ Sandy glanced down at the sketches she’d made, outlining how she wanted the website to look. ‘My artistic talent is almost as good as my tech skills, which basically means a lot of this rests on you. Seems a teeny bit unfair considering you’re not actually being paid for it.’
Mia laughed. ‘Don’t worry, I’m getting my pound of flesh out of Luke. Apparently I have another ninety-seven non-dates to look forward to.’
She gave Mia a sly smile. ‘Non-dates, huh?’
‘Yep, non-dates.’ Mia willed herself not to blush. ‘You know we’re just friends,’ she added, which was probably a mistake because Sandy started to giggle. ‘We are.’
‘Oh, I know you’re both saying that, but I’ve never seen Luke like this over a woman.’ Leaning across the table, she whispered, ‘The other day, Mateo joked that he might ask you out, and Luke threw his toys out of the pram.’
A warm, satisfying pleasure pulsed through her, and Mia had to work hard to stop from smiling. Knowing someone in her ‘new life’ cared enough to worry about her, was a pretty bloody special feeling. ‘He was being protective.’ Mia eyed Sandy, and decided there was no reason not to be open. ‘He knows my previous track record of relationships, and how I’m focusing on being single right now. He was just trying to warn Mateo.’
‘You think?’ Sandy pursed her lips, her fingers fiddling with the teaspoon on her saucer. ‘When did you discuss your ex-boyfriends with him?’
‘Why?’
‘Because Luke threw his toys at Mateo last week, when he was waiting to take you out on your second date. Sorry non-date. So your theory of him being protective would only work if you’d told him about your exes before then.’
Mia felt the flush creep up her neck and knew she didn’t need to give Sandy a reply. Especially when Sandy burst into delighted laughter.
‘You’re the picture of a Union Jack right now, Mia. What with your streaked blonde and blue hair and your red face.’
‘Thanks.’
Sandy reached across the table and patted her hand. ‘You know I’m only ribbing you because that’s what I do, right? Ask Luke. It’s my way. The only people I don’t take the mick out of are those I don’t like.’
The words, the warm smile … it was impossible to be upset with Sandy. ‘I think I can see why you and Luke are such good friends. You both, in your own ways, know how to charm.’
Sandy grinned. ‘We’ve got stuff in common, sure, and we’ve certainly got a lot of history. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know Luke Doyle. Still, it’s not the reason he’s my best friend, after Jim obviously.’
‘Obviously,’ Mia added dryly, aware Sandy was merely laying the bait but far too curious not to take it. ‘I’ll bite, what is the reason?’
Sandy’s face sobered. ‘You see him as this player, which is fair enough on current evidence, but it isn’t the man I know. Not deep down. The Luke Doyle I grew up with had the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met.’ Her eyes searched Mia’s. ‘He still has, but over the years he’s tried so hard to protect it, he’s forgotten how to use it.’
So she wasn’t the only one with a bad relationship history. Luke had told her he was thirty-four, she guessed it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he’d had a serious relationship at some point. Yet from what she’d seen, what she’d heard – rumour has it he’s been through all the single women in this block – it was clear he wasn’t ready for another one. That makes two of us, she reminded herself. ‘He seems to be trying with Tanya.’
Sandy’s eyes crinkled with amusement. ‘Why do you say that?’
Yes, Mia, why did you? ‘Just that I know she was seeing him last Sunday.’ God, that hole she was digging herself was in danger of swallowing her.
‘I guess you haven’t seen her since, so you don’t know that he arranged to see her so he could end things.’ As Mia tried to digest that bombshell of a statement, Sandy added, ‘Not that they were ever together, not in the true sense of the word. But he’s stopped their arrangement.’
‘Oh.’ Yep, that was about as eloquent as she could manage right now.
It didn’t stop Sandy laughing delightedly. ‘Oh indeed. But it’s fine, I’ll go along with the friends-only story you guys keep telling yourselves. Just know that I will smile smugly when you both come to your senses.’
Chapter Seventeen
Luke pulled into the car park and nodded towards the impressive stainless steel and glass Lowry building. ‘Welcome to non-date number three. Known as not quite Salford’s Guggenheim.’
Mia scrambled out of the TVR – elegant was one word he couldn’t use to describe her. He climbed out more sedately and when she turned to him, she looked decidedly suspicious. ‘I didn’t put you down as an art fan.’
‘Lots you don’t know about me, Mia.’
‘Clearly.’ Her gaze swept away from the Lowry and across the quays. ‘Yet why do I have a sneaky feeling you brought me here not for the galleries, but so you can ogle Old Trafford?’
Laughter shot out of him. ‘Christ, you’re way too smart for me.’ But he grabbed her hand and tugged her in the direction of the Lowry. ‘Still, as we’re here, you should cross this one off your list.’
They didn’t spend long studying the paintings, neither of them knowing much about art.
‘I think my etchings would have been better,’ he murmured to her at one particularly weird canvas of swirls
and splodges.
She stifled a giggle, and his chest puffed out a little. Making her laugh was becoming one of his favourite pastimes. ‘Maybe, but then I would have had to go to your flat to see them.’ She gave him a sly smile. ‘As you’ve pointed out, I’m too smart to fall for that.’
Yeah, he couldn’t deny she had his number.
They moved on to the next gallery; the permanent exhibition of Lowry paintings.
‘He used to live in Salford,’ he told Mia as she came to a stop in front of one of Lowry’s famous industrial landscapes. ‘I kind of have a soft spot for his matchstick people.’
They stood next to each other, studying the picture, and Luke was acutely aware of everything about her. How she smelt – floral with a hint of spice – the warmth of her body. The soft look of her hair, which his hands itched to touch.
‘I love how he didn’t care about the usual rules and conventions.’ Mia lifted her shoulders. ‘He did his own thing.’
Luke slid her a look. ‘Is that a rebellious streak you’ve got there?’
‘I’m not a rebel.’ Her eyes remained fixed on the painting. ‘But I hate to be pigeon-holed. People making assumptions based on how I look or what I do for a living.’
‘Is that the reason for the coloured streaks in your hair? You want to keep people guessing?’
Another shrug. ‘I decided way back when I was in school that I wasn’t going to invest time and energy in trying to be something I wasn’t. I mean, I enjoyed maths, so why say I didn’t? Sure, I got the mick taken out of me, but that was easier to cope with than having to pretend all the time.’
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 13