Second Chance at First Love

by Zoe Allison

Rachel laughed. “You mean they’re trying to matchmake the two of you because you’re both newly single?”

  Eva nodded.

  Jane smiled. “That’s sweet.”

  “I know,” Eva said, “but it’s embarrassing. The guy clearly isn’t interested. We’re going for a drink—but just as friends.”

  Rachel raised her eyebrow. “And what about you? Are you interested?”

  Heat rose in Eva’s cheeks. “He’s just an old friend.”

  Rachel studied her for a second, her eyebrow still raised. Eva didn’t know why she still had the adolescent tendency to lie about being attracted to someone. It must be an in-built form of self-preservation, to save face when she liked someone who was way out of her league.

  Jane was watching Eva’s expression. She cleared her throat. “Are you looking forward to starting your new job?”

  Eva relaxed again and nodded. “It’ll be good to get my teeth into something new. But I’m nervous about it.”

  Rachel took a sip of her drink. “Do you know anyone who works there?”

  Eva shook her head. “But I did meet a few of them when I did my virtual interview, and they all seemed friendly.” She sipped her drink and nodded towards Jane. “Did you know that Jane manages the Alton Hall Spa?”

  Rachel’s eyes widened. “That place looks fantastic. I’ve still never been, always too busy.”

  “I can vouch for her skills,” Eva said. “I felt brilliant after that hand massage.” She rubbed her shoulder. “I think I might book in with you for the back, neck and shoulder version soon.”

  “Sounds awesome,” Rachel sighed. “I’ll definitely join you if you’re going back.” She sipped her drink. “So…we know what’s happening with Eva’s tragic love life. But are you seeing anyone, Jane?”

  Jane darted her gaze over to Eva and appeared to take in Eva’s smile. “No, not at the moment. My long-term relationship ended a while back. But it was for the best. I’m young free and single again.” She smiled. “Well, youngish.”

  Rachel placed her elbows on the table and touched the ends of her fingers together, a business-like expression on her face. “It is now my mission to find you two a couple of nice men. You each need your very own Marcus.”

  Eva raised an eyebrow. “I dunno, Rach. I think you struck the jackpot there. He’s one in a million.”

  Rachel shrugged. “We’ll just have to search through the next two million to find two more then.”

  Eva and Jane laughed.

  The smile dropped from Rachel’s face and she gestured at something behind them.

  Eva turned. Tracey McKenna of the teenage-predatory-behaviour-toward-Damon fame was speaking to some guys at the bar. Tracey appeared how Eva would have expected, with the same jet-black hair, thick makeup and a figure-hugging dress that appeared as if she had poured herself into it. Tracey threw her head back and laughed at something the guys were saying.

  “Yes,” Jane said. “Hard to miss her, isn’t it?”

  Rachel sipped her drink. “Don’t look now but she’s coming over here.”

  A shrill voice called out from behind. “Hi, girlies!”

  Eva’s heart sank. She gritted her teeth and stood. Tracey approached and threw her arms around Eva, nearly tipping her off balance. Eva steadied the two of them, trying not to inhale too much of the alcohol fumes that Tracey was breathing onto her.

  “Eva,” Tracey said, pulling back and studying Eva, her face a little too close. “Aw, don’t you look…nice.”

  Tracey released her and kissed Jane’s cheek, then she moved towards Rachel, who blocked her attempt at a hug by thrusting her hand out for a shake.

  Tracey collapsed into the seat next to Rachel, facing Eva and Jane. “How’re you all doing? I’ve not seen any of you in ages.”

  There was a brief silence.

  “Good, thanks,” Jane said. “How’re you?”

  “Fantastic.” Tracey gestured her arm in the air. “I’ve been doing Weight Watchers since me and Mike split. I’ve not fit into this dress in about ten years.”

  Rachel raised her eyebrow and Eva prayed that she wouldn’t say anything inappropriate. Eva jumped in, just in case the champagne cocktails had loosened Rachel’s liberal tongue further. “You look great. How’re you enjoying the single life?”

  “Oh it’s fab, Evie.”

  Eva clenched her jaw. She didn’t like people she hardly knew using her pet name, especially people like Tracey. She’d always been fake and two-faced, something that Eva had fallen foul of at school.

  Tracey studied Eva. “I hear you’re newly single too.” She paused, barely disguising her intent to elicit signs of misery.

  Eva forced a smile. “Yes. I agree with you. It’s great.”

  Tracey didn’t do well in hiding her disappointed expression. Her eyes glinted. “It’s a shame. From your pictures on social media, Callum was a really good-looking guy. I doubt you’ll manage to get one like him again.”

  Rachel frowned and opened her mouth, but Jane interjected. “Tracey, did you hear about the spring school reunion that some of the other girls are organizing?”

  Tracey’s eyes widened. “Yes, I’m going.” She leaned across the table. “I’m hoping Damon will be there. Did you hear that he and Sarah split?”

  Rachel’s eyes flashed. “You can just ask Eva whether he’s going. She and Damon are friends.”

  Tracey’s face fell. “Are you? I didn’t realise you were still close.

  Eva shot Rachel a look. “No,” she said to Tracey, “we aren’t really that close.”

  Tracey’s posture relaxed and she fiddled with a coaster. “Are you seeing much of each other?”

  Eva cleared her throat. “No.”.

  Tracey smiled. “Oh, okay.” She dropped the coaster back onto the table. “Are you guys going to the reunion?”

  Eva glanced at Rachel, who shrugged.

  “I’m not sure.” Eva said. “I’d forgotten all about it, to be honest.”

  “It’ll be a good laugh,” Tracey said. “And you never know. You might meet a man.” She stood. “Right, I need another drink. I’m off to the bar to see which lucky guy gets to buy it for me.” She turned and walked off, waving her hand above her head in a goodbye.

  Eva sank into her chair. She raised her eyebrows at Rachel. “Why did you tell her I was close with Damon? I thought she was going to explode.”

  “Good,” Rachel said. “She was annoying me, the rude cow.” She folded her arms and leaned back. “Anyway, you said you and Damon are going for a drink, so you are good friends. Unless it is something more?”

  Eva shook her head. “He’s never been interested in me in that way.” She took a breath, aware she was speaking too quickly. “In any case, he’s still hung up on Sarah. She ended it, not him.”

  Jane touched Eva’s hand. “And what about you? How do you feel about him?”

  Eva hesitated for a second. “I feel the same. I’m not hung up on Callum anymore, but neither am I interested in anyone else.” It wasn’t a total lie. She was over Callum and she wasn’t interested in anyone…except for Damon.

  Jane watched Eva’s face. “Can I ask what happened with Callum?”

  Eva glanced up. Rachel was studying her. She’d only given Rachel a brief outline because she was too humiliated to describe any of it out loud. She decided to give Jane the same brief. She cleared her throat. “Let’s put it this way. He was more interested in shagging the young secretary from his law firm’s office than his wife.”

  Jane frowned. “That’s horrible.”

  Eva nodded, unable to get any further words out. She lifted her glass and drained it.

  “Agreed,” Rachel said, watching her. “On that note”—she signalled the waiter—”another round of cocktails.”

  Chapter Six

  The following days dragged for Eva. She was excited to see Damon at the weekend but also terrified. What if she ran out of things to say? What if his handsome looks caused her to lose the power of sp
eech altogether? Or, worst of all, what if he figured out how much she liked him? She didn’t want to call Rachel to discuss it because then she’d have to own up about her feelings.

  She’d be thirty years old soon and yet she felt like a teenager again. It wasn’t just the hormonal lust but also the self-conscious awkwardness, which was strange. It must be the product of life regressing—being cheated on, getting divorced, returning to live with her parents, plus her childhood crush being thrown in her face by her interfering mother.

  Eva changed her mind multiple times over the week about what she should wear. She didn’t want to appear too understated but neither did she want to be overdressed, because it was merely the local pub they were visiting.

  Saturday night loomed and she finally settled on an outfit—another new top courtesy of the ‘Meena collection’, a fitted T-shirt with stripes alternating blue and gold, navy skinny jeans and ankle-length wedge boots. She decided to team it with a lightweight navy blazer.

  The pub was only a mile or so away, not too far from the corner shop, so Eva decided to walk. She gathered her belongings into a handbag and slipped into her boots. “Mum, Dad,” she called down the hallway, “I’m going out now.”

  “Okay,” Matthew called back from the living room. “Do you need me to drop you off?”

  “No!” said Eva. “I mean, that’s okay. I’m just going to walk. We’re only going to the Swan.”

  Meena poked her head round the living room door. “Who’re you going with? Rach?”

  Eva glanced away. “Yes. That’s right.” She didn’t want them getting the wrong idea—especially Meena, who would have a wedding outfit picked out in five seconds flat.

  Meena nodded. “Remember your keys.”

  Eva opened the door and started sliding out of it. “Yes, Mum.”

  She closed the door behind her and leaned against it for a moment. Briefly she considered whether this was a bad idea and if she should’ve cancelled, but it was too late now.

  She walked out of the estate and turned along the main road. It struck her how surreal this was. After she met Callum, she’d never dreamed that she’d be back living here.

  Lost in her thoughts, she wandered along the path to the pub and paused. She tried to peer inside to see whether Damon was already there, but it was crowded and she couldn’t make him out. She walked through the doorway, her pulse quickening with nerves. Maybe she should go to the bar and get a drink to settle her anxiety before he arrived.

  She slid into a space at the bar and studied the choices on display.

  “Dr. Mathers, I presume?”

  She snapped her head to the side at the sound of his voice. Damon was leaning against the bar beside her, the human screen previously between them having drifted away as she’d approached.

  Eva’s dry mouth took on desert proportions. It was a struggle not to stare at him open-mouthed. He was wearing dark skinny jeans and a fitted black button-down shirt with the top two buttons open and the sleeves rolled up. Eva tried really hard to keep her eyes from the muscles on display in those arms and the glimpse of toned chest at the top of the shirt.

  Roughly ten tumbleweeds rolled past in her mind’s eye. She forced her voice out of her parched mouth. “Hey.” She swallowed in an attempt to lubricate her vocal cords and carefully met his gaze, trying not to give away that she’d just been admiring his physique. “Looking good.”

  He leaned over and she caught the scent of his aftershave. He’d been right at their first meeting. He did smell gorgeous.

  Damon put on a sultry tone. “Why, thank you.” He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s because I’m worth it.” He stared across the bar with a pretend pout, as if he were posing in a catalogue.

  Eva laughed, relieved that her tension had dissipated. Good job that it wasn’t safe being this close to flammable alcohol when Damon made her heat up to about a million degrees.

  He smiled. “What can I get you?”

  Eva tried to decide between wine and gin. Then she remembered that the last time she’d drunk wine, she’d ended up telling her Edinburgh friends in great detail how much she loved them all, plus a number of random strangers in the bar. “Gin and tonic, please.”

  They took their drinks over to a nearby table with two seats across from one another.

  Damon held out a chair for her before moving over to sit. “What’s going down with you this week?”

  Eva wondered how much time he’d spent picking his outfit for tonight. He’d probably thrown on the first thing he’d laid hands on rather than the careful deliberation that she’d gone through. He was as cool as a cucumber.

  She sat down and started removing her jacket. “This week I’ve been mostly worrying about starting my new job and getting the Spanish inquisition from mum, especially about who I’m hanging out with.”

  He flicked his gaze up to hers. There was a strange look in his eye, but quickly it was gone.

  “Oh yeah?” he said. “I’ve been getting that too from good old Lily. Did you come clean or keep quiet about tonight?”

  Eva took a drink. “I lied through my teeth. You?”

  “Yeah, me too.” He rolled his eyes. “Don’t want her breaking out the wedding hat.” He sipped his beer and studied her. “Why’re you worrying about your job?”

  She shrugged. “I always get nervous starting somewhere new, all the different processes and pathways to learn. I don’t like being inefficient and it’ll take a while to get up to speed.” Something work-related niggled at the back of her mind but she deliberately didn’t let it drift into the forefront. It was something she was careful not to think about.

  “I’m sure you’ll settle in quickly,” Damon said.

  She smiled, deciding it best to change the subject in case he probed further. “How’s your work going?”

  “Great,” he said. “We’ve gotten some lucrative new contracts and moved to a larger office.”

  “That’s brilliant,” she said. “I’m glad things are going well.”

  As the evening went on, it occurred to Eva that being with Damon wasn’t awkward at all. The conversation flowed easily and his company relaxed her. True, she was mesmerized by his mouth when he was speaking, thinking for the millionth time how it might feel to kiss it. But hopefully he didn’t notice.

  She smiled. “How’re your kids doing?”

  Damon’s eyes lit up. “Great thanks. Adele’s right into that new girl band.”

  Eva laughed. “You mean The Go Girls? Rachel’s daughters love them too.”

  He grinned. “Yeah, that’s them. She’s got all the merchandise and Sarah’s going to get tickets for a live show when they go on sale.”

  Eva watched him carefully as he mentioned Sarah’s name but didn’t see any sign of emotion register on his face. He must be a good actor. “How old’s Adele now? Six?”

  Damon smiled. “That’s right. And Sam’s three.”

  Eva took a drink. “What’s he into?”

  Damon laughed. “Everything he shouldn’t be. He likes climbing, so I have to watch him like a hawk.”

  It crossed Eva’s mind how difficult it must be for a father not to live full time with his family anymore. He’d brought them up from birth but now he wouldn’t get to see them every morning and tuck them into bed every night. “Did you have them last weekend?”

  Damon nodded. “We went out to pick wallpaper for their new rooms at my place.” He spun a coaster on the table. “I really miss them, you know.” He glanced up. “I know it sounds weird me saying that when I’ve just been talking about spending time with them.”

  She shook her head. “Not at all. It must be difficult for you not living with them and Sarah.”

  Damon seemed far away for a moment. He must have been thinking about how he missed Sarah and wanted her back. “Yes, it is. Really difficult.”

  Eva touched his hand. “Would it be better to do one of those exact fifty-fifty arrangements? I know people who have their kids four days one week th
en three the next.”

  He smiled. “We discussed it, but we felt it’d be better for them to have a stable home during the week. And Sarah’s happy for me to have the lion’s share of the weekends to make up for it.”

  Eva nodded.

  “Anyway,” he said, spinning his coaster, “you’d better get your violin out, the way this conversation’s going.”

  Eva raised her eyebrows. “I actually used to play the violin at school, remember? There’s no way you’d want me to get that out, unless you wanted your ears to start bleeding.”

  “Oh yeah, I forgot about that.” Damon said. “You were really good.” He nodded earnestly then as she glanced away, he shook his head firmly and made a ‘yikes’ expression, clearly knowing full well that she could still see him from the corner of her eye. She looked back at his face and he started nodding again.

  Eva laughed. “Don’t push your luck, Evans. Seriously though, you can talk to me about anything, including the sad stuff. I even promise not to get the violin out.”

  He studied her intently. “Thanks. I appreciate that.” He grinned. “Especially the bit about the violin.” He rubbed at his ears with a pained expression.

  Eva rolled her eyes, smiling. She pushed her chair back. “I’ll be back in a sec.” She stood to head for the ladies’ room.

  When she came back out, she gestured to Damon to indicate she was going to the bar and mouthed ‘same again?’ He gave her a thumbs-up.

  After ordering, she returned to the table and passed him his beer. “There you go. Don’t say I never give you anything.”

  “Thanks,” Damon said. “Let me know if there’s anything else on offer.”

  She caught his gaze and he winked at her, lifting his bottle and taking a sip.

  Eva’s stomach tumbled. So, what was that comment meant to mean? Another throwaway Damon flirtation? Or was there a possibility he did find her attractive? She just couldn’t tell.

  She cleared her throat. “Did you hear about the reunion?”

  He nodded. “Are you going?”

  She sipped her gin and tonic. “I’m not sure. Rachel and Jane want to. What about you?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe. Some of the other guys are going, so it could be a laugh.”