Page 12 of Nick & Nora Martinis

He pours himself another drink, knocking it back. I have visions of him chucking his guts up later. After another half hour I decide to go make them coffee, as Jay has started to slur her words. I look at her curiously. Knowing that she can handle her drink, and wondering what she's up to.

I excuse myself as I need the toilet and a tablet as my headache is coming back. I stand from the table, telling them all to behave and I'll be back. Jayne starts to proper belly laugh, nearly falling off the chair but Owen holds her, steadying her.

“What's so funny?” I ask.

“Men behaving badly, I mean us, and you'll be back just like Arnie,” she tells me, giggling.

I smile at her, rolling my eyes at the silliness. I walk upstairs and go to the bathroom. After I use the loo and wash my hands I open the bathroom cabinet to find my tablets. I start to run the cold water, half filling my glass. Turning the water off, I pick up the tablets and pop two, putting the packet back and the water on the side. I make my way back through my bedroom. Just as I'm by the door I hear a noise and I jump out of my skin. Peeking, I see Owen and Rob bringing Jayne in the front door.

“Where do you want her?” Owen asks.

“Where do you want me?” she says as she goes to peck Rob on the cheek but he moves too fast for her.

“If you can just plonk her on the bed that will be great,” I say as I run over to her bedroom, pushing the door open.

“Iii loves youuu Agail mith, and himm, and you,” she says, slurring and pointing at us all as we get her on the bed. She pulls Owen down towards her - he loses his balance and ends up lying with his shoulders across her chest. He goes to move but she's too fast, pulling him up towards her and before we know it she's giving him a smacker on the lips.

“Ummm, it was ‘ice,” she says, winking at me.

“For fuck’s sake Jayne, I'm so sorry Owen.”

He recovers quickly. “It's alright, no harm done and I'd be surprised if she remembers,” he says, laughing. “I'll see myself out. I'll use the door by the stairs as the bar is all locked up. See you all tomorrow.” With that, he turns and walks away.

I take her shoes off and grab a blanket to throw over her. I look over at Rob, he's looking between us. I make my way to the door, grabbing his arm on the way out.

“You can't stand here gawping at her.”

“Who said I was looking at her?”

I eye him suspiciously. When we get outside the room I close the door, letting go of his arm.

As I go to walk away he grabs my arm, pulling me towards him as he changes direction and I'm pushed up against the wall at the side of the door. His hands go either side of my face, pushing my hair back as his lips press against mine. His tongue licks back and forth over my lips, trying to gain entry inside. I open my mouth slightly and I'm done for, his tongue pushes through, deepening the kiss. His hand moves to the back of my head, and he grabs a fistful of hair and tugs it.

An involuntary moan escapes me. Pressing against me, I can feel his erection. I put my hands up between us, trying to push him away.

I detach my mouth from his, with a feeling of loss but trying not to go against my better judgement. “No, we can't do this, I have a no-dating-staff rule.”

“Well that's sorted then. If I have to quit you or the job, then I choose you every time, no question,” he says, laughing as he takes to my neck.

I try to push him again but nothing happens. He doesn't move, he is solid. If he gets to my earlobe I'm done for.

“Wait, wait,” I say. He stops and looks at me. “If that's what you want.”

I brush past him and head for the kitchen, “It's not going to work, how can it? If we do get together people will think I'm giving you special treatment or we break up and you leave, I'm stuffed.”

“You can be,” he says.

“I can be what?” I ask, confused.

“Stuffed. No, I'm joking. Seriously stop overthinking things, it's a kiss.”

“Oh okay, if that's all it was, see yourself out and don't let the fuckin’ door hit you on the way out,” I say, all mad but not sure why. Is this what I wanted? I'm not sure. Why am I so bothered?

I open my bedroom door then slam it closed. As I get onto the bed and scream into my pillow, frustrated by the situation and my own rules.

A knock on the door startles me. I get up and it's dark. I must have fallen asleep. I wonder what the time is. I open the door to see Rob standingthere with his hands in his pockets.

“You okay?” he asks me.

---