Page 6 of Promise Me Ever After
“If she is, she ain’t gonna be interested in a kid like you.” I punched his arm. “Plus, Tess and Ellis wouldn’t be happy with staff shagging each other. You know that.”
We’d gone over to the Ealynn Marina Hotel after work to meet up with my buddy, Curtis Porter, for some late-night relaxation. A couple of beers always proved a hit in chilling out after another crazy shift.
Tonight though had been crazy for different reasons.
Georgie’s arrival was the most interesting thing to happen in Anna’s Kitchen all summer. If you discounted all the Justin and Lennon drama, that is. My best mate now lived in London with his hard-fought-for girlfriend. I missed hanging out with him and regretted the fact we should have had our own place by now. Instead, I still lived at home with my mum. Still, I shouldn’t complain. I pretty much had the place to myself after my sister had moved in with Curtis.
“Amber wants to know if you want to come over for dinner tomorrow night.” Curtis cracked open another beer and passed the can over to me.
I took a long swig before answering. My eyes narrowed. “Why? What’s the occasion?”
He shrugged. “Something about how she doesn’t want you festering at home on your own.”
“Tell her it’s very touching, but I’m good.”
“Really? You want me to tell her that?” Curtis raised an eyebrow. “This is Amber we’re talking about.”
“She’ll be fine. She’s just missing me.” I snorted. We were a close-knit family, and honestly, I did miss her being around. Changing the subject, I turned to Sid. “Are you going to ask Georgie out then?”
“Do you think she’d say yes?” Sid’s eyes lit up.
“Not in a million fucking years,” I predicted confidently. “Front of house manager messing about with a sous chef? No chance. Assistant head chef, maybe.” I puffed up my chest and let out a hearty laugh.
Two temp waitresses and the sister of someone who worked at the beauty salon with Amber had kept me busy over the summer. Nothing longer than a few dates, a quick shag and the vague promise of going to visit them when they went back to uni. I’d never had a serious relationship, never felt the need.
Temporary waitresses posed little challenge.
Georgie Cavanagh on the other hand...
Of course,I caved the following evening. You didn’t say no to Amber and get away with it.
“You’re not still moping about after Justin, are you?” My sister banged a plate of lasagne down in front of me.
I eyed it suspiciously. Amber’s skills in the kitchen weren’t exactly up to much.
“What?” she countered. “I bought it from the supermarket and followed the instructions to the letter.”
Curtis stifled a grin, trying to avoid looking directly at me. He placed a plate of garlic bread in the middle of the table, then sat down.
“Don’t worry, sis, I trust you.” I forced a grin.
Amber plonked herself down in the chair opposite me, a huff escaping her lips. “I won’t invite you around for dinner anymore if you keep dissing my cooking.”
“Not exactly cooking though, is it, Amber? More like shoving it in the oven and putting the timer on.” For once, Curtis backed me up.
“Seriously, if you two don’t shut up, I’m never having a dinner party again.” Amber refilled her glass of red wine, deliberately not topping up either mine or Curtis’s glass.
“Dinner party?” I laughed. “When did you become so fancy?”
“What are you talking about? Just because I like doing nice things?” My little sister sniffed.
Deciding not to poke the bear further, I scooped up a mouthful of food. In all honesty, it wasn’t that bad, although not a patch on my homemade version. “I’m not moping after Justin,” I said, finally answering the question she’d originally asked. “Wallowing in the sad and lonely life, more like.”
It was meant to be a joke, but Amber pounced instantly. “I could set you up with Sara. She’s started working at Blossom.”
My sister worked at the more successful of Ealynn Sands’ beauty salons, providing her with a never-ending stream of girls who started work there who she would try and fix me up with. I wondered what Sara had done to piss Amber off to get a date with me.
“Sara’s friends with Ems Berry. You know, the one who works with Mum.” She reached over and tore off a piece of garlic baguette. “She’s really nice,” Amber mumbled through a mouthful of bread.
