Page 10 of New Year, New Guy
‘Hunter? Hunter McQueen?’ A familiar British accent rang out. ‘What the bloody hell are you doing here?’
He watched his old friend turn ashen. Johnny Matthews wasn’t the skinny, pimple-faced boy Hunter remembered but there was no mistaking him. That was not the face of a pleasantly surprised man.
‘Laura?’ Johnny gawked at them both now and beads of sweat popped out on his forehead. ‘Oh God. Polly’s not here, is she?’
‘No. Aren’t you the lucky one? I suppose you assumed you were safe coming this far away from Plymouth?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Does your “friend” know you’re getting married on Saturday?’
‘Oh, Laura don’t be daft.’ A trace of Johnny’s familiar roguish smile appeared. ‘This is Emily Stephens. You must’ve heard Polly talk about her Irish friend Em? They were roommates when she worked in Dublin for a while after uni.’
Hunter shouldn’t find it quite so amusing to see Laura struck dumb.
‘I wanted to surprise Polly with something more original than a male stripper at the party.’
‘She’ll be thrilled.’ Laura smiled at the other woman.
‘I’m Hunter McQueen by the way.’ He introduced himself to the attractive Irishwoman. ‘I’m the other party surprise, at least I was supposed to be, and no I’m not a male stripper.’
‘Pity.’ The frank appraisal made him laugh.
‘This is a bloody mess.’ Laura groused.
‘Yeah it sure is. Our food is getting cold.’
‘Our food?’
‘Why don’t you let them get their drinks while we start to eat and they can come back to join us when they’re ready?’ Hunter suggested.
‘Great idea.’ Johnny steered Emily towards the bar.
‘At least you’re a hit with one lady.’
‘Should I apologise for that too?’
Laura gave him a silent, sideways glance. ‘No.’
Hunter dragged a French fry through the pile of ketchup. ‘Eat.’ The gruff order should have earned him another sharp response but for some reason she did as he asked.
‘Am I right to think Polly made a mistake inviting you? Johnny didn’t seem very thrilled.’
‘Yeah, she sure did. But I made a bigger one in accepting.’
‘Will you explain it all to me later?’
He spotted Johnny and Emily heading their way. ‘Sure.’
Hunter raised his glass. ‘Let’s drink to you and your lovely bride.’
‘I don’t have a clue what she sees in me.’ Johnny laughed and shook his head. ‘I’m snatching her up before she realises I’m a plonker. I bet you don’t even know what one of those is?’
‘It’s the English version of an Irish eejit.’ Em tossed Hunter a provocative smile. ‘I’d be happy to teach you a few colloquialisms, Mr McQueen.’
I bet you would, thought Hunter.
‘What are you doing here anyway, McQueen?’ Johnny probed.
