Page 24 of The Reno
“Mum texted me that you were here. Oh my god.” Lydiagasped as she stared at my Guinness. “How on earth are you drinking that?”
“Well, I usually like a Guinness, but after last night, whenyouled me astray…” I cocked an eyebrow.
“It wasn’t my fault!”
“You Uber Eats’d that last bottle of prosecco!” I exclaimed.
Lydia winced. “I thought we needed one more.”
“Everyone knows you never need one more.”
Lydia grinned. “It’s so weird seeing you here at the club. It’s like seeing a teacher outside of school. Did you get a nosebleed on the M6 coming this far up north?”
“You know I don’t have a car. Never needed one.”
Lydia shook her head. “Londoners.”
I rolled my eyes. “Go get a drink. It’s my round.” I handed her my card.
“Thanks, cuz. I’ll get the next one.” Lydia bounced off to the bar, chatting animatedly with her mum.
I could tell by how other locals came up to the bar that Sandra and Lydia knew everyone in this room. It made me feel self-conscious. Like I was always going to miss the joke. Or worse—become the butt of the joke. As Lydia continued to chat with Sandra, her elbow leaning on the bar as they gossiped, I was desperate for the loo.
“Through that door, down the hallway, love,” Sandra said, not even looking up from the lager she was pouring for an elderly gentleman with a little Jack Russell terrier.
When I returned, the football had finished, and the bar was packed. Sandra was pulling pints while barking orders aboutchairs. I scanned the room to find Lydia but stalled when I saw a familiar dark-haired man beside my cousin.
Liam.
A man with dirty-blond hair and dimples stood next to him. The blond man and Lydia stood with pints and amused expressions while Liam stared straight ahead. He hadn’t spotted me yet, thank god. Chairs and tables were being lifted and moved around them as Sandra conducted the room like an orchestra. I was frozen, unsure if I wanted to go and stand beside Liam. Was I going to have to grovel? Did I want to grovel? Fuck. I should have spoken to Lydia about this earlier to get her onside.
“Kat.” Lydia waved, mistaking my apprehension for being lost. Those broad shoulders tensed as I slowly walked towards them.
“Hi,” I said to no one in particular.
Liam’s eyes finally met mine and began an unreadable scan of my face. Those eyes flickered down, taking in my body too. The perusal was lingering, and judgemental, so my stupid face couldn’t help but go red. Which was really inconvenient when I remembered what Liam had called me at the funeral.
I raised my head to meet Liam’s gaze, but his expression was vacant. It revealed nothing. The lights were on, but no one was home.
Lydia smiled brightly. “Kat, this is Liam. He’s the builder I mentioned last night.” Liam’s eyes finally shifted away from me to my cousin.
“We’ve met.” Liam’s deep voice sounded resigned. Grumpy.
“We have,” I added uselessly. Lydia handed me my Guinness,and I stared at it.
“I’m Jack.” The dark-blond man grinned and extended a hand. “I work with Liam.”
I gave a sickly smile. “My condolences.” Jack gave a strangled laugh like he hadn’t expected my joke.
“When did you meet?” Lydia frowned, eyes flitting between Liam and me, finally sensing the tension in the room.
“Ah—” I began.
“I went around this morning like you asked, Lydia. At eight.”
Lydia’s head swung to me, eyes wide. “Eight. As in this morning.” She probably recalled stumbling into the taxi at three o’clock in the morning. I’d had a measly five hours’ sleep before Liam turned up, seemingly unannounced.
“Yup,” I added.
