Page 31 of Never Tell Lies

"No, you demanded it. Then you came here to cause a scene because I turned you down. I told you I wouldn't have dinner with you tonight and I won't be manipulated or forced. You'd better get that through your arrogant skull right the hell now." I spat my words through gritted teeth, but he didn't seem to be listening to me any more. Instead, his eyes were vague, looking over my shoulder.

"Who is that?"

I followed his gaze to the window where a worried-looking Ryan was watching us. My stomach twisted with guilt. I waved at him and forced a smile on my face. Even at eight years old he didn’t look convinced.

"He would be none of your business. You have no right showing up at my home like this.”

“I didn’t know there was a child here.”

“Well, you would have if you’d oh, say, had a conversation with me like a normal person." I glared up at him, at this man who was turning my life upside down. He looked ashen but I was too angry to care. "Go home, Mr Tell."

He looked like he was about to argue, his mouth opening then snapping shut. To my relief, he turned and stalked back to his car. He didn't look at me again before speeding away.

After watching his car disappear, I went back inside where Natalie had successfully distracted Ryan withThe Simpsons.

"I’m sorry," I whispered and she nodded.

"Are you alright?" she whispered back, and I nodded too. "Should I be worried?"

"No, I don't think he'll come back."

She didn't say anything but she looked like she didn't quite believe me. If I was honest, I didn't quite believe me either.

Thirteen

"Ican't believe he just came to your house like that." Keira was stunned when I relayed last night’s events to her. Three emergency meetings in one week was a lot, even for us, but after the drama I was in need of another girls’ lunch.

"I know. I don't know what to think." I stared down at my pathetic salad. I couldn't face proper food today, but the salad was just too depressing. I picked up a napkin and began shredding it onto my plate. "I've only known him for two days and already I don't know whether I want to fuck him or strangle him."

Keira stirred her straw in her Diet Coke, giving me an appraising look. "You’re interested in him.”

"He's in my head, that’s for sure." I couldn't explain it. I hadn't told her about the article. I wasn’t sure why exactly, it just felt like something I shouldn’t gossip about. I tried to shake him off and focus on something else. "What about you? Anything happening in your love life?"

"No. Nope. Nothing. Nada. Zip.”

"You sure about that? Because that guy over there is looking pretty interested." I nodded at the snooker table behind her where a good looking guy in a t-shirt and jeans had been tryingto catch her eye for the last twenty minutes. She turned back to me, looking like she was about to say there could be potential, when her jaw dropped.

"What?"

"Don't turn around, but I think Mr Arrogant and Intense just walked in." I watched her face as she tried to match whatever she was seeing to the pictures she'd seen on Google.

"Are you serious?" My palms were instantly clammy, my chest already aching as my heart beat heavy.

"I think so…wait…yeah, that's definitely him. Christ, he's hot."

"Focus, Keira. What's he doing? Is he meeting someone? Can I sneak out without him seeing me?" Maybe I could just hide in the bathroom until he went away?

"I don't know, he's just sort of looking around and…he's found you."

"Shut up."

"Nope." She grinned, not bothering to hide her glee. "Making contact in 3…2…" Her words trailed off as she turned her face up to the godlike asshat that appeared at our table. He looked his usual immaculate self in a deep grey three-piece that was sorely out of place in the pub.

"Miss O'Connell, I wonder if I could join you?" he said in a honey-tone voice.

"You're joking, right?" Seriously, after last night he had to be kidding. "I'm having lunch with my friend." I gestured at Keira and he gave me a cool look.

"Yes, of course." He turned to Keira who looked like she was thoroughly enjoying the show. "Alfie Tell, pleased to meet you." He offered a hand, his Rolex winking in the light.

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