Page 58 of The Gin Lover's Guide to Dating

‘Josh? What are you doing here?’ I laugh casually. ‘What a coincidence.’

‘It’s actually not a coincidence.’ He grins broadly.

‘What? What do you mean?’ My surprise turns to suspicion.

‘Well, we figured it was the only way I’d get you out on a date any time soon.’

‘Who’swe? Wait a minute.’ I stare at him in amazement. ‘You and Reyes set this up?’

‘Actually, it was her idea.’ He shrugs easily. ‘Seemed like a sound enough plan, so I went along with it.’

‘I’ll kill her!’ I grab my phone, and tap out a murderous message, then jab at the send button.

Not knowing what else to do, I stare at my phone uncomfortably. Thankfully, Reyes replies almost straight away, having clearly been waiting for this.

Sorry Chica. You leave me without choice. Enjoy romancing with Josh. x

I stare at her message in disbelief. She set me up? What do I do now? If I leave, it will make things really awkward at work. And if I stay, I’ll have given in. I tentatively look up at Josh, who looks highly entertained. And immensely pleased with himself. What an arrogant sod. But, unfortunately a smoking-hot, totally ripped and utterly charming arrogant sod. Realising there’s no way I can up and leave, I decide I’ll stay for one or two drinks to be polite, then make up an excuse about having an early start.

‘So, what you having?’ Josh cocks his head to one side, his smouldering eyes already burning a hole in my willpower.

Almost completely powerless to his charm, I’m melting by the moment, and it’s clear that I’m on to a loser. There’s no way I’m getting out of here within the hour. My hormones simply won’t allow it.

‘Gin and tonic.’ I sigh resignedly, and sit back in my seat.

‘Coming right up. Don’t go running off.’ He gives me a super sexy wink and heads for the bar.

‘Couldn’t, even if I tried,’ I mutter under my breath, while checking out his perfectly pert backside.

‘That sounds like a total mare.’ Josh sits forward in his seat and looks me straight in the eye. ‘Seems they totally did one over on you.’

‘Oh, they did.’ I nod theatrically. ‘Didn’t see it coming at all. I thought I was in for a promotion and wham, I was clearing my desk, just like that.’

It’s three hours later. Not only have I not left, I’m practically sitting on Josh’s lap. I’ve also sunk way more alcohol than I would on a usual night out. I can’t decide whether it’s a result of nerves, or subconsciously concocting an excuse for the morning after. I’m certainly well marinated. The upside is that Josh and I are getting on like a storm. The downside is that, with my inhibitions and better judgement drowned in gin, I’ve shared way more than I ever intended to: the current topic of conversation being the rather unpleasant shafting I got from McArthur Cohen.

‘Totalmare.’ Josh looks quite perplexed by my tale. ‘I knew companies could be ruthless, but I’ve never met anyone who’s been on the receiving end. Closest comparison I have is watching that film about the financial collapse in the US.’

‘Mmm…’ I stare at Josh lustfully, having temporarily lost focus on the conversation, my roving mind now speculating just how solid those biceps actually are.

What was I thinking, rejecting his advances? He’s the epitome of male perfection. I can totally focus on my career and date him at the same time. Why the hell not? Call it stress relief.

‘Have you seen it?’ Josh prompts me, his left eyebrow raised as he eyes me curiously.

‘Have I seen what?’ I murmur as I breathe in the scent of his aftershave greedily, then come to. ‘Oh… umm… you meanMargin Call?’

‘Yeah, that’s it. Was brutal, watching the guys packing their whole careers into a single box – and that was just an adaptation of what really happened.’

‘Well, I’ve experienced it in real life. It’s just as bad as you might imagine.’

‘I’m sure it is,’ he says. ‘I remember the girls in my class were completely outraged at that scene at the start when the guy is escorted out of the building.’

I shake my head momentarily, wondering if I’ve heard right.

‘Sorry… did you just say… your class? Did you go to uni late?’

‘I didn’t go to university,’ Josh confirms. ‘It was in a business studies class though. We watched it at school.’

I choke on my gin, feeling suddenly quite sober. ‘At school?’

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