Page 21 of The Reality of Us
“Bingo.” Teddy winked and headed for the other end of the bar.
Alice looked around the packed dining room. “This is trivia, huh?”
Teams were well and truly into the third round now; heads huddled together over tables covered in plates of parmigiana and burgers with chunky, golden chips. “Folks take it pretty seriously.”
“Owen, darling, aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?” His mother plonked her purse on the bar next to him. Her curly black hair was streaked with grey and arranged like a porcupine was sitting on her head.
He picked up his schooner. “Mum, meet Alice Aspinall. Alice, this is Lulu Hampshire-James. She owns Lulu’s Boutique.”
“Hello,” Alice said politely. “I think I’ve seen you having coffee each morning? Outside with the other ladies?”
Lulu’s face shone, her bright red lips parting in a wide grin. “Ah, yes. This guy and his brothers call us the Old Girls Gossip Brigade and think we don’t know.”
“I can assure you, there’s nothing we think you ladies don’t know,” Owen said dryly, sipping his pale ale. It was hoppy and cool. Finally, an antidote to his nightmare day. It definitely wasn’t seeing Alice unexpectedly.
Lulu smacked his shoulder before turning back to Alice. “I think we’re going to be brilliant friends.”
Alice tilted her head to the side. “You do?”
“Any woman who dresses outside the box is a friend of mine,” she said. “Knowing you’ve engaged the services of the best lawyer in the area helps too.”
“Thanks?”
Owen tipped his head towards his mother, trying to ignore the itch where his damp shirt was stuck to his stomach. “Mum’s not known for keeping her opinions to herself. Fashion or otherwise.”
“You should come and see my shop,” Lulu said. “Unless you want to join us for trivia. This one’s only good for random sports, legal stuff and scouting facts.”
“Scouts like Boy Scouts?” The amusement in Alice’s eyes stirred something deep in his belly. This was a first for them. A conversation not about her or her divorce. How long had it been since he’d spoken to an attractive woman like this? And, hell. There was no denying how attractive he found her now as she stood before him in a short, fitted navy dress. He’d been avoiding admitting it to himself ever since he’d met her. Unwilling to consider Alice as anything other than a client. But he could do this. Be friendlier without it meaning anything. He was off the clock at his local pub, starting a new life. “I was a Venturer Scout. I’m not ashamed to admit it.”
A cold hand snaked around his shoulders. “That’s funny. You used to keep it pretty quiet.”
Camille. He had been hoping she’d left town.
“Looks like you need a new drink,” his ex said. “My shout.”
The Paul Kelly song playing in the background finished, and the bar should’ve been filled with conversation between rounds, but it was so quiet Owen could hear the sharp hiss of the industrial dishwasher in the kitchen. He didn’t need to look around to know it wasn’t Alice who was the main attraction this time. The Arturos always commanded this reaction from the locals.
Add his and Camille’s history in on top of that, and well, it was a train wreck.
“It’s almost time for the next round,” Lulu cut in. “I’ll see you back at the table, Owen. Alice, it was lovely to meet you properly. Please come by my shop so we can chat more.” Her long skirt swished around her legs as she walked away, not acknowledging Camille.
“Since when do you like trivia?” Camille scoffed, resting her hand on Owen’s arm. He didn’t miss the way the corners of Alice’s mouth tipped down or how he wanted to push Camille away, which was exactly what he did, stepping away from her. He ignored the way his ex laughed lightly like this was all a big joke.
“I’m so sorry, I’m being rude,” Camille said. Pivoting on her high heels, she thrust her free hand towards Alice. God forbid she let go of him. She’d always been territorial; he’d just been too in love to notice when he was younger. Back when he’d thought he could save her from her family.
“I’m Camille Arturo. We go way back.” She winked conspiratorially at Owen, and he gently prised her fingers from his sleeve.
“I should go. Sorry again about your clothes,” Alice murmured.
“It was nice to meet you,” Camille sing-songed dismissively, which earned her a stiff nod from Alice. Owen wanted to say something. Make it clear there was nothing between him and Camille, regardless of Alice’s status as his client.
He’d have understood a lingering fondness for his ex. Despite their messy end, Camille had been the first and last person he’d given his heart to. That should’ve counted for something, right? But instead, he was hollow, disinterested. Just like Camille had obviously been every time he’d talked about their future together. Would’ve been nice for her to give him a heads-up. But she’d made her choice and, in hindsight, it had been the best one for them both. He never would’ve been able to reconcile the things her family did once he properly understood them, and after seeing her now, it was clear Camille still toed the party line.
For so long after she’d left, Owen had closed himself off to the possibility of something more with another woman. He’d done the same with his friendships. No wonder no one had told him about the pre-trivia dinner group. He’d spent years telling himself he was too busy; it wasn’t fair to start something when work was his number one priority. And what did he have to show for it now? A fledgling business, a handful of fractured friendships and an empty house at the end of the day.
“About that drink …” Camille murmured. “I’ve got some time before I have to get home to Mum. We’ve reconnected these last few years, and it’s made me realise all the things … and people I’ve been missing.”
Ahhh. Sledgehammer subtlety. His favourite.
