Page 52 of The Worst Guy Ever
“It’s good manners to ask how someone’s day was.” He adjusts his body, one arm against the back of the sofa, his head propped up in his palm. “Aren’t you going to ask how mine was?”
“No, I don’t care.”
“Indulge me.”
“Fine. How was your day?”
“Just got better,” he winks.This idiot.I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling. “What happened today?”
“I’m being screwed over at work. I don’t want to get into it.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” Underneath my blanket, I feel him take one of my feet in both hands, tugging my sock off. I’m about to kick him in the face, but he pushes his thumb along the arch of my foot, pressing hard and soothing away the tension. It feels so good I almost forget to hate him.
After dinner, Luke hooks his laptop up to the TV, and we all squish up on the sofa while Kara talks us through their honeymoon photos. They spent a week at an all-inclusive resort in Greece and, judging by the photos, it was all sun, sea, and a frankly obscene amount of selfies. It’s amazing to see my girl so happy though, and the resort looks truly incredible. Adults only, six pools, private cabanas on the beach.
“We get it,” Rob whispers in my ear after the fifth or sixth photo of grilled prawns, “you like seafood.”
I scratch my nose and smile behind my palm. “Don’t be mean. This was a big deal for them. Although I’d have been fine with edited highlights.”
“I’m just teasing. Do you fancy going somewhere like that sometime?”
“Sure,” I shrug. “Looks nice.”
“Really?” He looks shocked. I hadn’t realised quite how close we’ve been sitting, or that his arm is stretched out behind me, or that with my feet underneath me I’m basically tucked into his side. “With me?”
“Oh,” I pull away a little, and his face falls. “I thought you meant in general.”
“Yeah, cool, yeah,” he says, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Looks nice.”
Later we find ourselves in Luke’s hallway, leaving at the same time. My arm brushes against him when I push it into the sleeve of my coat, and I end up awkwardly half-in, half-out of it, turning in circles. Silently he stills me, pulls it off and helps me slip into it properly.
“What are you doing tomorrow night?” he asks over my shoulder, quietly. My heart has the nerve to flutter. Is he going to suggest something? He’s been on excellent form all night, and I’ve felt calmer than I’ve been in weeks.
“I’ve got a date,” I say. I catch his reflection in the hallway mirror, and the look on his face makes me wish I was lying.
Chapter 22
Rob
Itakeaseatat the bar and order a beer, wondering what the hell I’m doing here in the first place. I don’t want her to see me but I’m also curious about who she’s out with, since she’s so adamant she doesn’t go for guys like me.
The long mirror behind the bar means I have my back to their table but I can still keep my eyes on her. I’ve got no reason to be sitting here, drinking alone, and the last thing I want is for her to spot me.
She’s gorgeous in a tight vest top and jeans, her hair tied back, exposing her slender neck, but her body language is far from happy. She hasn’t laughed once, and she definitely hasn’t touched her earring either. Anyone can see this guy’s not doing it for her. Surely she’s not going to go home with him? The thought of this boring arsehole with all the charisma of a plain yoghurt getting to see her naked is unbearable.
I’m nearing the end of my beer when she excuses herself. Hopping off my stool, I dash past the end of the bar and down the dark corridor that leads to the toilets. I lean against the wall, ready to stop her, but I don’t expect the force with which she slams into me when she turns the corner.
“Oh shit, sorry.”
“Hey,” I say when she looks up. Her eyes shift from the shock of our collision to something I think is delight before heading straight into fury. She takes a step back from me.
“What are you doing here?”
“Kara might have mentioned you’d be here. I was passing.”
“Dammit, Kara,” she says, kicking the wall. “She knows I only tell her where I’m going in case I get murdered or something.”
“Well, I thought I’d best check you aren’t about to be murdered.”
