Page 159 of Lovers' Dance

Nathan snorted something inaudible under his breath and focused on fighting his way through traffic. When they finally arrived at the restaurant, they were both relieved.

“Bollocks,” Nathan muttered after the maître d’ greeted them with familiar recognition. “Bella’s here. I hope she hasn’t been waiting long. She hates waiting, and she wanted to eat at The Dorchester, but they’re closed on Mondays.”

“The view of London up here is stunning, Nathan. I’m sure she hasn’t been waiting long,” Matt assured his friend. He glanced over at the table where Bella sat peering out the large windows to observe the sight of the city below. She wasn’t smiling. “But she does look a tad annoyed, mate. Best of luck with that.”

Nathan scowled at him, then plastered a remorseful expression on his face when they were led to the table. “Darling, traffic was murder,” he said, leaning over to take a kiss from her lips.

“Hmm,” she said with irritated eyes, before sending a sweet smile in Matt’s direction. “Matt, I didn’t know you were joining us for lunch.”

Matt gave her a kiss hello and the men took their seats. Nathan was fidgeting, casting glances at his fiancée before sending a thoroughly helpless look at Matt.

“When Nathan told me he was meeting you, I had to invite myself along,” he said smoothly. “You know how much I enjoy both your company.”

Her smile widened and the annoyed glint in her eyes disappeared. “Last night was delightful. It’s been a while since the whole group got together. Such a shame Madi couldn’t make it.”

“That’s what I said,” Nathan agreed, immediately reaching for her hand atop the table. “Have you ordered, sweetheart?”

Matt winced as soon as the words left his friend’s mouth. Bad mistake.

Bella turned her head slightly to stare at Nathan. “No, I have not. You’re thirty minutes late, Nathan. If I had ordered, the food would no doubt be cold by now.”

Duly chastised, Nathan cleared his throat and mouthed “sorry” to her as their waiter came over with the menus. Once again he shot Matt a look, this one clearly saying: save me.

By the time they’d finished their starters, Matt had charmed Bella back to her usual self and the talk had turned to their wedding. Over the main course, Nathan hid his lack of enthusiasm for the finer details of such a momentous occasion well and did what any man in his situation could do: agreed with whatever request the woman he loved made of him.

They shared an amused look as Bella flicked through her leather-bound notebook, pen held firmly as she scribbled whatever brides-to-be scribbled in their wedding bible.

Looking at his friends engrossed in conversation, Matt felt the glimmer of excitement, not just for them, but for himself. A year. That was how long he would wait before it was his turn to graciously agree to anything the woman he loved wanted concerning their own nuptials. He pulled his mobile out, needing to speak to his poppet. It rang four times before she picked up the call.

“’Sup.”

“Pardon?” he asked in surprised.

“What’s. Up,” she drawled.

Matt turned slightly in his chair. Nathan and Bella were busy with their conversation and Madi sounded sloshed. Yet again.

“Happy Birthday, poppet.” he said quietly. There was a lot of noise in the background on her side.

“Thanks, babe. Where you at?”

Matt blinked a couple of times. ’Sup? Where you at? Why was she speaking this way? “At lunch with Nathan and Bella. How’s your day going so far?”

“Good. When you coming over?” she asked, then yelled something incoherently at someone in the background.

Matt blinked. Had she forgotten how to use the word ‘are’? He noticed Nathan and Bella had gone quiet, curiously observing him. Matt twisted in his chair a bit more.

“We agreed I would see you on Friday, poppet,” he said cautiously. “We talked about this Thursday night, remember?”

“We did?” She sounded perplexed, and Matt began to worry about what state she was in at the moment.

“Yes, we did,” he confirmed. “Are you home? Would you like me to come over, poppet? I can be there in half an hour, traffic permitting.”

“It is my birthday, Matt, and you’re my man, so hell, yeah, I want you to come over. Can’t party without my man, now can I? Hey, bring Bella. I want Sol to meet her.”

Matt ran an agitated hand through his hair. Who the hell was Sol? “I’m not certain Bella can come, poppet.”

Bella was nodding vigorously at Matt as she said, “It’s fine, Matt. I’m free this afternoon.”

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