Page 45 of Love Thief

When he says nothing, I finally look up. It's Grace. And surprise, surprise, Lauren. Totally focusing on me, they don’t even notice Kasey in the corner next to Jonno.

“Well, well. Out and about with no superstar tonight? Has he dumped you already? It's been over a week since you got married.” They smile nastily at each other. “Heard he’s fucking other women in a recording studio. Is it your own home, Evie? ‘The Cottage’.” Grace puts air quotes around the name.

“Why don’t you fuck off,” says Jonno conversationally. I try not to smile at that, but say nothing.

“Becky phoned me. Said she had a threesome with him and Levi. Old dog, no new tricks,” Grace jabs at me, ignoring Jonno.

“Why don’t you fuck off,” Kasey exclaims, whipping off his sunglasses and hat. He certainly goes for the big reveal.

They both gasp when they see who it is. I still say nothing.

“Are you fucking him now? You’re such a celebrity chaser, Evie. You’re pathetic,” Lauren spits out. She has jealousy written all over her face.

“There’s only two people at this table who are pathetic, and it’s you two.” I look past them and Kell’s standing there.

He pushes them aside, no apologies offered, and pulls me out of the booth, nearly knocking them both over. “Hey, Kitten. Missed me?”

If his completely ignoring them doesn’t get his message across, the full-on kiss he plants on me should. He attacks my mouth, and does not stop. When he finally pulls away, he brushes his thumb across my lips and whispers, “I missed you, so fucking much.”

Grinning at me, he goes to move me back into the booth and looks around for Mick. “Deal with these two, will you, Mick? They’re bothering us.”

Grace decides to go for broke. I can see she’s annoyed that her plan’s been thwarted. “Becky told me about your threesome with her and Levi.”

“Did she?” He huffs out incredulously, looking totally pissed off that she’s here. He then sits and acts as if she doesn’t exist and starts talking to Kasey about his film. A total brush off.

The two women try to bat Mick off, but that’s an impossible situation. Tommy moves in to help, as they’re starting to wrestle and shout at the same time.

“Just so you know, I’ve got pictures from Vegas of you with sex toys, Evie. You’re going to look like a real slut when they get posted.”

I smile at her, like I’m enjoying them being there. “Oh, I don’t think so, Grace. I’ll probably get an endorsement deal out of it, so post away. The sex industry is massive, and lucrative. Last time I checked my stocks, anyway.”

Fuck them, both of them, they can have it, both barrels. Jude was right. I may have played down what I have and who I am, but no more.

Kasey starts to laugh. “What toys did you have, Kitten?”

Kellen’s head shoots up at the name, but I touch his leg to tell him not to react.

“I have no idea. Kell bought them for our wedding night. I had to do a quiz to find out what they did.” We all start to laugh, clearly not the reaction the girls were going for.

Jonno picks up his phone and begins to tap at the screen, an evil glint in his eyes. Oh dear, I think Grace just signed her computer's death knell.

Before things can get more out of hand, Kasey says, “Look ladies, we’re trying to have a lovely dinner. Did you come by for an autograph or something?” He smiles his full Hollywood smile at them before striking the final blow. “I’m sure Evie will sign something for you if you ask nicely.”

They look like they’re going to explode. I grin at him, he winks at me, Kellen scowls at him, and Jonno grins at all of us.

Thanks to the commotion my former friends stirred up, a few people spot our booth, stocked with a film star and a rock star. People come over and elbow the girls out of the way.

It’s over an hour later that the booth is finally cleared of fans, and I can see a crowd outside. Some I recognise from the restaurant, but clearly word has spread beyond the diners.

“Can I get a tiramisu? Kasey, you need to try it. You’ll have to do an extra workout in the morning, but Kell can do it with you, save me a job.”

“You’ve been working out with him?” Kell is scowling even more now.

“Not really. He’s been running and stuff. I was walking at a snail’s pace on my treadmill, he just likes to chat.”

Jonno is grinning ear to ear as it’s obvious Kellen is getting annoyed. Kasey is oblivious.

“Right, let's go home, Kitten,” Kasey says to me.

---