Page 9 of Finding Love in Micklewick Bay

‘Thanks for the offer, Ando, but I’m afraid it’s a no again,’ Jasmine said kindly. ‘Like I’ve said before, I haven’t got time for a fella in my life, and I’ll have to get home to the kids.’

‘Aye, well, fair do. You know where I am if you change your mind. Have a good night, lasses.’ With that, he turned and sauntered off back to the bar, pulling on his bottle of beer.

‘Aww, bless. You’ve got to hand it to him, he’s a trier,’ said Lark in her familiar gentle tone.

‘You’re not kidding,’ Jasmine said wearily.

‘And how could you reject the offer of pork scratchings, Jazz?’ said Stella, amusement dancing in her eyes.

‘Or his home-brew, what was it? Ah, yes, Gut Rot. Yum,’ said Florrie.

‘Yep, who said romance is dead?’ Stella added dryly.

‘Well, at least he wasn’t plastered this week, which is a consolation, I suppose,’ said Maggie.

‘That may be so, but why me? Why do I have to attract blokes like that?’ Jasmine shook her head in disbelief. ‘I don’t want tobe unkind, and I know Ando means well in a… whatever it is kind of way, but seriously, pork scratchings and “Gut Rot”? Who’d be tempted by that? Not that I’m looking for a fella at all, but why don’t I get the ones who want to sweep me off my feet with flowers and boxes of chocolates and meals in fancy restaurants?’ Jasmine looked around at them. Though her tone was light-hearted and she was smiling, there was a sadness in her eyes.

‘Jazz, the honest truth is, you wouldn’t want a bloke that fits that bill,’ Stella said.

‘I’m with Stells on that one, I’m afraid, Jazz.’ Lark nodded in agreement.

Jasmine’s expression was thoughtful for a moment, before a grin crept over her face. ‘True,’ she said with a chuckle. ‘I hate that kind of mush, and as for fancy restaurants, they’re so not me.’

‘Especially not with those stinky plimsolls, Jazz.’ Maggie chuckled into her lemonade.

Jasmine scrunched up her face. ‘Hmm. I reckon you’re not wrong.’

‘Maybe you should stick ’em under Ando’s nose; that’d send him running for the hills.’ Maggie chortled.

‘Good point.’ Still smiling, Stella’s gaze drifted across to the door, her eyes alighting on the tall, handsome stranger who’d just walked in. Her heart leapt and her mouth fell open.Oh my days! Mr Hot!

SIX

‘You okay, Stells?’ asked Florrie, her forehead creasing.

Stella swallowed and took a steadying breath, her pulse surging around her body.Pull yourself together, woman! What the heck’s got into you?‘Hmm, er, yeah. I’m fine.’ She smiled brightly at her friend. ‘Just wondering when our fish and chips are coming.’

‘Aye, they’ve been a while.’ Jasmine twisted round, a slow grin spreading across her face. ‘Fish and chips, eh?’ She turned back. ‘I reckon our Stells’ ovaries have just exploded –again –lasses. Take a gander at the hot looking bloke who’s just wandered in.’

‘Which hot looking bloke?’ Maggie peered over to the object of their interest, Florrie and Lark following her gaze. ‘Ahh, Isee,’ she said, giving Stella a knowing smile.

‘And just how many times can ovaries explode exactly?’ asked Florrie.

‘Numerous times if our Stells is anything to go by; hers are always going bang. Whenever she claps eyes on a fella that takes her interest, that’s it. Boom!’ Jasmine grinned, turning to take another look. ‘Mind, I can see why; he’s right up her street, tall, dark and delicious. That’s the criteria, isn’t it, Stells?’

Stella rolled her eyes, shaking her head good-naturedly.

‘Ah, and he’s got a gorgeous Labrador with him,’ said Lark, peering around Florrie. ‘If he’s a dog-lover he must be nice.’

‘See, he’s already got Lark’s seal of approval, Stells.’ Maggie gave her an exaggerated wink.

‘I reckon we need another bottle of wine.’ Stella reached for the empty bottle in the ice-bucket and got to her feet. ‘Won’t be a moment.’ She flashed them a smile before striding in the direction of the bar in her usual self-assured manner, aware of her friends watching her closely.

Standing beside Mr Hot, the fresh scent of his cologne wafted under her nose. It was clean and mossy, setting Stella’s senses on high alert. It didn’t take long before he turned to face her, their eyes meeting, sending a pulse of attraction through her. His mouth turned up in a smile that made her heart rate take off at an alarming speed.

‘Hello there.’

‘Hi.’ She returned his smile, taking in the blue of his eyes, how they crinkled at the corners, the dark stubble of his strong jaw. He stood a good few inches above her, making him at least six-foot-three, and his shoulders, which looked decidedly good in his blue shirt, seemed even broader close up. He really was just how Jasmine had described, tall, dark and delicious.

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