Page 18 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Chapter Five

Liv

I’m uncomfortable inmy own skin after ditching my workwear for a fitting long-sleeved grey dress. It’s been over a year since I wore it. The way it hugs my curves highlights I haven’t been as kind to my body as I once was.Before the accident.At least it hugs to the knee, hiding my scar.

As the wine seeps into my bones, helping me forget my teacher failings, more people link up on the dancefloor, moving to the live music.

Nat steps in beside me and places another glass of wine on the table. I waste no time taking a gulp. Nat sips at a tall glass of clear bubbles with a wedge of lemon.

“Thanks, lovey,” I say as she sits beside me, eyes again on her partner. “On the vodka, huh?”

She swings her head towards me. “What?”

“Vodka?”

She licks at her lips. “Nah. Lemonade.”

“Not feeling it, huh?”

“Just tired and need the sugar. Don’t wanna fall asleep while Carter’s singing. Don’t think he’d forgive me.”

“I hear you. At least after another couple of these, I’ll crash as soon as my head hits the pillow.” I take another gulp. “I meant to tell you, I kind of got asked out on a date tonight. At least I think it was a date.”

Nat clears her throat. “We’ve been sitting here all this time and now you tell me this?”

I shrug. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea. Things didn’t go well in my last relationship. Not sure I’m ready.”

“Who’s the guy?”

My insides liquefy at the thought of him bang-bang-banging on the school grounds. “He’s been working at the school. The fencer. Jerry.”

“Oh yeah,” she says in a sing-song voice. “I’ve seen him around.” She fans her face and juts her perfect brows up and down.

“Don’t get excited. We’re not a thing.” I stand and scoop up my purse. “I’m going to the ladies.”

“This conversation isn’t over,” she says.

I shake my head. “I’d say it is because there’s nothing to tell.”

Nat pouts.

I roll my eyes at her and make my way through the maze of scattered tables. Across the pub, among a group of men, a set of eyes burn in my direction.

Jericho.

It’s as if I conjured him out of thin air at the mention of his name. He raises a short glass with an inch of amber liquid, and winks.

My heart pounds hard at the sight of him: blue shirt and jeans. His hat is nowhere to be seen, revealing dark ruffled hair, strands hanging across his vision.

He says something to the bearded man beside him, downs his drink, then slams the glass on the table. His eyes rake over me, head to toe as he strides with purpose in my direction.

Crap. He’s coming this way.

My body betrays me, heat flushing across my chest and creeping up my neck. I wasn’t ready to see him again so soon.

When his boots almost meet mine, I swallow hard.

“Fancy seein’ you here.” He smiles, dazzling me with his white teeth as he runs his fingers back through his hair.

---