‘What you see is what you get, huh?’
Her lips curved in a smile that added sparkle to her eyes. ‘Exactly right.’
Unable to resist, he nudged his arm against her shoulder. ‘I like what I see, Mia Abbott.’
A faint flush crossed her cheeks. ‘Yeah?’
‘Most definitely.’ An odd lump settled in his throat. Shit, he had a feeling he more than liked this woman. As if she sensed his churning emotions, her eyes widened and the air around them filled with a taut silence. ‘You’re without doubt the best Smurf I’ve toured Manchester with.’
Her answering laugh was so loud people turned to look at them, but Luke didn’t care. The tension was broken, and his chest felt free again.
‘Come on, let’s get out of here before we’re kicked out. We can grab a quick coffee on the quay.’ He took her hand – he loved the feel of his fingers wrapped around hers – and led her out towards one of the cafés that lined the canal. As it was a rare sunny day in Manchester, they opted for the outdoor seating and ordered two lattes.
‘How did you get on with Sandy the other day?’ he asked as the waitress placed their drinks in front of them.
‘Good. She told me how she wants the website to look and gave me all the social media links to incorporate.’ Her lips quirked in a half-smile. ‘Apparently I have to like the new Facebook page.’
He smiled sheepishly at her. ‘Sorry, she can be pushy at times.’
‘Maybe, but she’s also really nice.’
‘Sometimes she’s nice.’ Luke took a sip of the coffee. ‘Sometimes she’s a giant pain in my backside.’
Mia laughed softly. ‘Only because she cares about you.’ Across the table, she caught his eye. ‘She told me you ended things with Tanya.’
Her statement caught him by surprise. ‘Yes.’ Was she making conversation or was she interested? ‘It didn’t seem right to keep seeing her when I’ve got my eye on someone else.’
‘Oh?’ Her gaze avoided his. ‘Is it Michele? Her hair is amazing, so sleek it’s like a flaming shampoo advert. And did you know her nails are natural?’ Mia glanced down at her short, unvarnished nails. ‘Sometimes I wish I could grow mine. Just a bit, so they don’t look like I chew them. Which I kind of do now and again, so I guess it’s my fault.’
Luke struggled not to laugh. ‘You think that’s what guys look for in a woman? Nice hair and nails?’
‘On current evidence, it seems to be what you look for.’
‘It isn’t.’ He hesitated, unsure whether to say the words that hovered over his tongue. Surely there was no point hiding what was so blinking obvious? ‘You know who I was referring to, Mia.’ Immediately a blush swept over her face and this time, when she darted him a glance, she looked uncomfortable. Maybe some things were better left unsaid. ‘But it’s okay,’ he added quietly. ‘I’m enjoying life with this really cool, funny girl just as it is.’ When her eyes lifted to his, he smiled. ‘Turns out non-dating is more fun than I thought.’
A slow smile started across her face, and when it reached her eyes, the blueness was as vivid as he’d ever seen it. ‘You mean that?’
He nodded. It was the truth, though if she wanted more, he’d give her it in a heartbeat. ‘Especially when my non-date decides galleries are okay, but what she really wants to do this afternoon is go on a tour of Old Trafford.’
Mia threw back her head and laughed, the sound so infectious he ended up laughing, too. God, she was gorgeous, so natural, so pretty, even though she’d probably hate him for calling her that.
The phone he’d left on the table buzzed, and he glanced at the screen.
I’m around next week. Hope we can get together. Vicky x
Damn, there was still one more loose end to tie up.
When he looked back over at Mia, she quickly averted her eyes, pretending an interest in a couple who were trying, unsuccessfully, to encourage their toddler into a pushchair.
Had she seen?
After settling the bill, he took her hand again and led her towards the footbridge that crossed the canal. The one that would bring them out at the Theatre of Dreams.
‘We’ll have to up the pace if we’re going to make it in time for the five o’clock tour.’
Her head snapped round to his. ‘You booked it already?’
Say yes, he’d be presumptuous. Say no, he’d be a liar. He gave Mia his most winning smile. ‘Maybe?’
She rolled her eyes, yet the smile that had been so full, so easy a few minutes ago looked strained now, and Luke’s heart sank. Of course she’d seen the bloody text. He supposed there was a chance she was annoyed because she was jealous, yet more likely she was annoyed because she felt he was being less than truthful with her.
What was certain was that Vicky’s text had considerably dented his chances of persuading Mia he wasn’t the player she had him down as.
And likely blown any chance of shifting their relationship to more-than-friends at some point in the future.
Chapter Eighteen
Mia looked over at Stan. He wore what she was starting to realise was his stubborn expression; narrowed eyes, jutting chin. It was Saturday night and she’d spent the last ten minutes trying to persuade him to come to the bar with her again.
‘Give me one good reason why you want to turn down the offer of a free beer with a charming companion and instead spend the night on your own, nursing a Horlicks?’
He humphed. ‘I’m not that bloody old yet.’
‘You must be, or you’d join me in the bar.’
He waved his hand at her. ‘It’s too noisy for me, that place.’
‘Thought you said you weren’t old. That’s a really old person’s excuse.’ She received a baleful glare.
‘Why do you need a wingman anyway? Thought you and the Chipmunk were friends.’
‘We are.’ It’s just the Chipmunk – God, Luke would die of laughter if he knew they were calling him that – the man had also told her he’d ended things with his regular hook-up because he wanted to … what? Hook up with her instead? Date her for real? Yet how could it be the latter if he was also still seeing some woman called Vicky?
And wow, seeing that text had really hurt. Yet it shouldn’t have done, because she wasn’t supposed to want anything more from him.
Her heart also shouldn’t have leapt at the message he’d posted earlier.
If U go to bar
* * *
2night
* * *
Me = v happy
She was a basket case. So keen to see him, yet so terrified about how little effort it would take for him to persuade her into doing something she really shouldn’t. A flirty suggestion, that smoulder in his eye, a flash of his wicked smile. Any combination and she could find herself waiting for him after the bar had closed.
Hence she’d taken to pushing poor Stan out of his flat, against his will.
The man took one look at her face and sighed. ‘I’ll get my wallet.’
Guilt pricked. ‘You don’t have to, you really don’t.’ But because she needed him to, she added, ‘If you do come, I’m paying.’
‘No bloody way.’ Stan loped off to fetch his wallet and key from the sideboard. ‘Can’t have you buying me drinks twice in a row. People round here will talk.’ He pointed for her to lead the way. ‘Besides, don’t want that man of yours becoming jealous. Reckon he might just have the edge over me if it came to fisticuffs. Him being a bit younger.’
‘Maybe a tiny bit bigger, too? And slightly fitter?’ Feeling a rush of affection for her sometimes curmudgeonly, yet also utterly loveable, neighbour, Mia wrapped an arm around his ample waist. ‘Luke’s not my man, Stan, he’s my friend. Don’t fret though, if it comes to a fight, I’ll be in your corner.’
He huffed. ‘Lot of good a damp sponge will do me.’ But his arm slipped around her, too, and when he squeezed her waist, emotion balled in her throat. She missed her dad something fierce, but in Stan she was starting to realise she had a substitute.
<
br /> The place was exactly how Stan had said it would be; humming with noise. Something he took great glee in telling her. ‘How’s anyone supposed to have a conversation in here?’ His gaze swung towards all the women lined up at the bar, bodies encased in tight dresses, hair perfectly styled, all fighting to get Luke’s attention. ‘Suppose most aren’t here for a chat, mind.’
‘No.’ Glancing down at her leggings and converse trainers, she pushed down the unhelpful stirrings of jealousy. What had Luke told her? I like what I see. ‘Let’s find a seat somewhere quieter.’
But just as she was about to turn, Luke glanced up. The bloom of pleasure that crossed his face when he saw her, the beaming smile he aimed her way, sent her heart cartwheeling.
It also sent Stan into a fit of unlikely laughter. ‘That bloke isn’t friends with you,’ he rasped. ‘He wants to get in your knickers.’
‘Keep your voice down.’ As Luke continued to smile in their direction, Mia hoped to God he couldn’t lip read.
‘Just saying it as I see it.’
Giving Luke a little wave – the gesture felt ridiculously coy, yet somehow she couldn’t stop grinning – Mia set off towards the tables outside, where the noise was at a more reasonable level for a sixty-seven-year-old.
‘If we’re just saying things how we see them,’ she said as Stan levered himself into a seat, ‘what about you and Naomi? In your own eloquent words, do you want to get into her knickers?’
Stan spluttered, then started to cough so loud he began to wheeze. ‘Good God, girl. Where on earth did that come from?’
‘Observation.’ She leant on the table, eyes on Stan to watch his reaction. ‘You’re both dancing around each other like a pair of shy peacocks. No wait, I should say a shy peacock and a shy peahen. I don’t know what the collective noun is.’
‘Peafowl.’ As soon as he’d said it, Stan stilled, his expression almost comically shocked. ‘Wait, you’re saying she’s interested?’
Mia rolled her eyes. ‘Of course she is, dummy. Why else does she get me to tell you the custard donuts are in?’
‘Because she needs to sell them?’
Mia started to laugh. ‘Okay, that’s true, but the reason she buys them in the first place, you dozy fool, is because she wants you to go into the shop. She wants to see you.’ Standing back up, Mia smiled at him. ‘Now while you think on that, I’ll get the first round in.’
Her pulse began to race as she turned to walk into the bar, yet just as she was about to step inside, Luke’s large frame blocked her way.
‘Hey.’
The sexy low tone made her heart leap in her chest. ‘Oh, hi. I was just heading in to get some drinks.’
His smile was lazy, dimples winking at her. ‘I’ve come to find out what you want.’
‘Wow, personal service, huh? Is that all part of Sandy’s drive to get more customers through the door?’
He laughed softly. ‘No Mia, it’s part of my drive to take care of my favourite customer.’
‘Favourite.’ Her belly fluttered. ‘Stan will be pleased.’
Amused green eyes bored into hers. ‘Stan’s a good bloke, a good customer, but you know he’s not my favourite.’ Luke leant forward, the touch of his lips a gentle brush against her ear. ‘For the avoidance of doubt: you, Mia Abbott, are my favourite customer.’
Butterflies were no longer fluttering in her belly, they were having a dance, and doing it so vigorously they must have taken all her breath because she found she could hardly talk. ‘I…’ She swallowed a few times, trying to find her balance. ‘I’m honoured. Does that qualify me for anything? Like a discount, or…’ she trailed off at the dart of heat in his eyes.
‘Or?’ His gaze dipped to her mouth, and her lips tingled in anticipation.
He’s not going to kiss you here.
But God, it looked like he wanted to. ‘I don’t know.’
His finger trailed down her cheek and he smiled right into her eyes. ‘It qualifies you for a drink after the bar has closed.’
‘A lock-in?’
‘If you like. A private lock-in.’ Another smile, his eyes darkening. ‘Just you and me.’
‘Oh.’ She could barely get the word out, so dry was her mouth, so loud the heartbeat pounding in her ears. This was why you brought reinforcements. ‘What about Stan?’
Luke raised his right eyebrow. ‘Do you want him to stay?’
Okay, he’d very firmly knocked the ball back into her court. Now was the time to stop the flirty stuff – there was no doubt that was what they were doing – and say yes, she’d invited Stan so of course he should stay.
‘Mia?’
‘I guess it might be too late for him.’
A slow smile spread across Luke’s face and once again his eyes drifted to her lips, before finally meeting hers again. ‘Then I’ll see you later.’
Luke was struggling, his mind not on the job, but on what was waiting for him when the job was over. When he’d got rid of the staff and the customers. All except for Mia.
Who had nearly invited her sixty-odd-year-old neighbour to the lock-in. She’s not as keen to be locked in with you, as you are with her.
‘Boss, pull your head out of your arse.’ Mateo’s voice drifted over to him. ‘I said I needed three margaritas. Not three mojitos.’
‘Bollocks.’ Luke stared down at the drinks he’d just poured. ‘Who were they for?’
Mateo nodded towards the three girls sitting to the left of the bar. ‘You can try your charm on them.’ He gave Luke a sly grin. ‘Or maybe you’re not allowed, now you’re dating Mia?’
‘Who’s Mia?’ Bill, who’d actually come for a drink with his wife and a few friends, was nursing a beer at the bar, claiming he needed a breather from the incessant chat about holidays.
‘Mia is a customer who’s kindly helping make our website. And I’m not dating her.’ Though the statement was accurate, it rested on him like an ill-fitting suit. They went out together and held hands. He’d almost kissed her right here, in the bar, a couple of hours ago. It felt like dating.
‘You’re doing something with her.’ Mateo’s dark brows lifted and he smirked. ‘Enough to totally put you off your game.’
Bill chuckled. ‘That’s fighting talk, lad.’ He slid Luke a glance. ‘But I reckon your new boss is too wise to rise to that bait.’
‘Too wise? Or too scared of failure?’
Mateo was needling him, but Bill was right. He was a businessman now. Too mature, too sensible to let the younger man get under his skin. ‘You think I’m off my game?’
Mateo grinned. ‘So far off it, I no longer think we can say you have a game.’
Luke snatched at the tray holding the glasses. ‘Watch and learn, upstart. Watch and bloody learn.’
It seemed he’d lied about the mature and sensible part. This was what he did though, what he was good at; charming the punters, harmless flirting. Without it, he didn’t know what he could offer the bar. He couldn’t do the numbers like Phil, or the social media tech like Sandy. He didn’t have Mateo’s youth or swarthy good looks. Nor Bill’s second-hand car buyer’s skill at negotiating with wholesalers.
He only had his smile, and his gift of the gab.
‘Ladies.’ With a flourish, he set the mojitos on the table. ‘Have you tried one of these? White rum and soda with a dash of lime juice, a sprinkle of sugar and a hint of mint. It’s basically summer in a glass.’
‘Sounds amazing.’ One of them reached for a glass, but her friend stopped her.
‘Wait, we ordered margaritas.’
‘No problem, I can take these away and make some for you.’ He paused, giving them all a wide smile. ‘Or you can try it and tell me what you think.’
They all took a sip, and he knew from their expressions he’d won them over. ‘Still want the margaritas?’
‘No way.’ One of them eyed him over the top of her glass. ‘You seem to have sussed what we like. How about you keep the surprises coming?’
H
e bowed and when he turned back to the bar, he bumped straight into Mia.
‘Whoa, sorry.’ He put his hands on her arms to steady her, steady them both. The feel of her skin beneath his palm sent a bolt of arousal through him, which only intensified when he stared down into her surprised blue eyes. ‘Scratch that,’ he corrected, lowering his voice. ‘Bumping into you feels too good to apologise for it.’
She shook her head, but her eyes smiled. ‘That’s such a line.’
‘Oh, he’s good at those.’ Bill shifted on his stool to give Mia a quiet appraisal. ‘You must be the famous Mia.’
‘Famous?’
Luke’s heart shot into his mouth. He knew how wary she still was of his reputation as some sort of Mancunian Don Juan. The way she’d backed away from him after seeing Vicky’s text still weighed heavily on him, their tour of Old Trafford lacking the ease, the teasing banter of earlier in the day. He didn’t need Bill poking the wound, making things worse. Luke was well aware he was cocking up enough on his own.
‘Aye love, I hear you’re the one making a website for the bar.’
Okay. Luke’s heart settled again. ‘I am.’ She studied Bill and smiled. ‘You must be the famous Bill. One-time bar owner, now semi-retired.’
Bill gave her the same goofy, smitten smile he’d seen other men give Mia when she showed them attention. ‘That’s me. Pleased to meet the lady that has our Luke muddling up his cocktails.’
Mia gave Luke a puzzled look and he sighed. ‘I got my margaritas and mojitos mixed up. But I sorted it,’ he added firmly, with a silent one-fingered gesture towards Mateo. ‘In fact the ladies now want me to choose a cocktail for their next round.’
Bill started to laugh. ‘I see the Doyle blarney is still alive and kicking.’ He turned to Mia. ‘Watch him, love, or before you know it he’ll be talking you into stuff you had no intention of ever doing.’
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 14