Page 49 of Crush

As Luca swanned off to the bar, his face full of excitement for theirtour, of what, who knew. The bedroom probably. God, he was a fast mover.

“You were saying,” I said to Mia.

“I think you remind her of someone and that terrifies her.”

“Who, an ex you mean?”

“In a fashion. Amber has a past that isn’t all unicorns and rainbows.”

My lip curled as I shook my head, “You’re going to have to give me more than that Mia.”

Mia was clearly close to her friend and as my eyes drilled into her, she became agitated. As if she realised that she’d said too much. “Look, it isn’t my story to tell but Amber has been through stuff. She’s been hurt in the past.”

I dragged my hands out of my pockets and ran one through my hair. What the woman was saying didn’t sit right with me, I didn’t like the thought of Amber hurt.

“I know about the death of her mother,” I admitted.

“There’s more to it than that, Max. She has secrets, baggage, guy related shit. She needs someone who understands that.”

“Surely, she’s a bit young to be so jaded about men? She pushes most of us away. Amber is a strong, confident female. I would say the woman needs no one, understanding or not,” I huffed.

Mia raised her eyebrows and her face became deathly serious. “You’d be surprised, Max. What Amber needs is a good, strong man. She just doesn’t know it yet.”

I felt another surge of anger at the thought of a man messing with her. My protective mode kicked in. It was a strange feeling, wanting to protect Amber and punish her for being such a cold bitch at the same time.

“So, what are you suggesting? That I could be that man? It doesn’t sound like anything I’d want to tangle myself up in. I’m as selfish as they come, Mia. I’m as far from good as it gets.”

“At last, the man speaks some truth,” Luca chuckled as he came back from the bar and handed Mia a glass of bright pink shit. He raised his beer in salute.

“Shut it, Luca. You’re not helping.”

“You stand up to her and don’t take any of her bullshit. Amber is surrounded by people who have always told her yes. What she needs is a real man to say no. In the first instance anyway.”

Shaking my head, I sighed. Talking to Luca and Mia was now draining. I was surrounded by blind matchmakers. “I’m going for a walk. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” I stated pointedly at Luca. He gave me a ‘would I’ expression.

I pushed off through the crowds of people and set off down the steps towards the gardens. I needed some space.

Mia’s words surprised me, almost like she had been egging me on to do something. Make a move on her friend. I couldn’t imagine that Amber had painted the best picture of me and so why was Mia so encouraging?

Fuck, first Gabriel and Luca, then Wes and now one of Amber’s friends was suggesting I shouldgo for it. I was trying so hard to do the right thing and walk away but my willpower was folding fast. Amber turning up looking so fricking sweet hadn’t helped the situation either. The thought of kissing her again was creeping towards the top of my bucket list with every shot of whisky. Hence my decision to have a break.

I suddenly wanted to shove one of my size twelve feet up my arse. Getting involved with Amber on any level wasnota good idea. She also worked for me, in a roundabout fashion and I was the one who made the rule of no relationships at work.

I’d spent years not allowing anyone to get too close to me and it appeared I was heading towards breaking all my rules. I was starting to feel shit I had no right to feel. The thought of some other guy hurting Amber in any shape or form made me want to make the fucker pay.

After a brief walk around the gardens which were as big as a park, I caved and lit up a cigarette. Taking the nicotine into my lungs felt good, it chilled me out. I could do without women and their complicated crap.

The music and laughter from the party had begun to grate on my nerves. Luca had ditched me for Mia and I was no fucking gooseberry. I made a beeline for Jonathan and his old timers gathered around some stone benches. He was busy but I needed to at least wish him a happy birthday.

“That’s a determined face,” a female purred, forcing me to stop as she stepped in front of me. I noticed it was the woman Luca had pointed out earlier. Molly something. The underwear model. She was tall and slim, only slightly shorter than my six feet plus.

“Fancy getting a drink with me?” she said. At that point, I couldn’t be arsed with it all. Yes, she was pretty but I wanted to find Amber, and make amends.

After a swift glance around, I reluctantly replied, “Lead the way,” shoving thoughts about Amber Swift to the back of my mind.

I was usually the life and soul of the party.

Time toactlike it.

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