Page 15 of Promise Me Ever After
My phone vibrated in my bag and I hooked it out. Darcy had messaged me to come over to our table, she had someone she wanted me to meet. I groaned.
“Ugh, my sister’s trying to matchmake.” I rolled my eyes.
Ems laughed. “Gotta love a trier. I’ll catch up with you after dinner, I’ve got a few things to sort out.”
I picked up my glass and weaved my way across the dining room until I found Darcy.
“There you are! And where did you get champagne from?” Her brow furrowed.
“Helps to know people.” I chuckled and drained the remaining fizz.
Ten minutes later and I was ready to gouge my own eyes out with the butter knife. Fraser introduced me to Trevor, another of the Lane & Parks Recruitment fraternity. I hated the fact my soon-to-be brother-in-law worked for the same company as that cheating bastard Russ. Even though they were in different regional offices, they would still get together for company events and parties. Morbid curiosity had me wondering how much Trevor already knew about me.
Every word Trevor spoke ground on my nerves, and I found myself reaching for the Malbec after each sentence. I needed to eat soon, or my sister would have to carry me home.
Thankfully, I was saved by the arrival of the food.
The four chefs, including Alex, had created the most delicious menu, catering for both meat eaters and vegetarians alike. There was an array of tasty canapés, which melted in the mouth, a delicious duck terrine or beetroot tart as a starter, followed by venison or chestnut gnocchi with winter chanterelles and a madeira sauce.
I’d switched it up and gone for the veggie menu, just because I knew Alex had created it. He’d been bleating on about it every shift we’d worked together recently, moaning about how he’d much rather cook a fillet steak.
“This is amazing.” I stuffed the last of the gnocchi into my mouth and chased it down with the remains of my wine. I made a note to myself to tell Alex when I next saw him.
“Not as amazing as you,” slurred Trevor. He’d matched me glass for glass in the wine stakes, although it appeared to have affected him more.
I shifted my chair to my left, moving closer to Darcy. “Why on earth did you think I’d be interested in him?” I hissed.
“Sorry.” She lowered her head. “Fraser said he was nice.”
I thought back to how I’d used that word on Alex. It suitedhimso much better. My glass was empty, and I needed more wine if I had to spend any more time with Trevor. I also needed a cigarette and a wee, not necessarily in that order.
“Darcy, I’m going to find another bottle of wine.” I pushed my chair back and grabbed my bag.
She twisted in her chair, looking for one of the serving staff. “No need, I’ll get a waiter to get one.”
I patted her on the shoulder. “It’s fine. I need to visit the bathroom anyway. I’ll stop at the bar on my way back.”
Once I’d visited the bathroom, I glanced around to find the best way outside. There was a corridor which looked as if it led out to the patio, so I followed it to the fire exit and pushed the bar to get out. On closer inspection, it seemed to be the path which went towards the kitchens. I turned to go back inside, but the door slammed behind me before I could stop it. Now I was stuck outside with no clue how to get back to the dinner. The urge for a cigarette grew and I decided to test my navigational skills after I’d satisfied that craving. Fumbling in my bag, I found what I wanted and lit up, blowing a stream of smoke towards the sky.
“Sneaked off for a quick fix, did you?”
I turned to my right to see Alex walking towards me, a black bin liner full of rubbish in one hand. “What can I say?” I shrugged, trying to ignore the tingle building in the pit of my stomach. “Not really my scene in there.”
“Mmm.” Alex shuddered in sympathy. “I’m fucking petrified of who I’m going to end up cooking for.”
A laugh escaped me. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll be able to handle them okay. The ladies I’m sitting with seem… pleasant…”
He raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, right,” he paused, “you and Ems seemed cosy earlier. Finding out all the gossip, are you?”
“Oh, she’s told me all sorts of things about you,” I teased.
“Really? We only went out a couple of times.” Alex hefted the bag into one of the large metal bins lining the wall. “Not sure there’s that much to tell.” He rubbed his chin.
I hoped there wasn’t. I hoped he wasn’t secretly yearning for Ems Berry’s company and wanted to spend some time with me. My Malbec infused brain started to spin. The cigarette I held fell from my grasp and without thinking, I crouched down and picked up the butt, brushing off the dirt before raising it to my mouth.
“Really?” His eyebrows shot up. “It’s really that bad you can’t even leave a cigarette which has fallen on the floor?”
“Who are you? My mother?” I fired back.
