Page 27

“It’s not her brain I’m interested in…”

Their bullshit buzzed in the background, but I couldn’t pay attention to them, not when I was focussed on Jamie. My girl had remembered, planned ahead for our date tonight, and that went some way to ease the ache of today.

Then she walked out of the bathroom fifteen minutes later, obliterating every trace of it.

Dressed in dark jeans and a nice pair of boots, her black knitted top seemed to cling to every curve.

“Damn, Mouse…” Clinton stepped forward. “You sure about Rowdy here? If I knew you were hiding that under your?—”

Whatever he had to say, it was quickly cut off by my hand grabbing his t-shirt and twisting it until the collar was cutting into his throat. One look from me had him smiling sheepishly, even as his hands clawed at his shirt, then sucking in a breath when I let him go.

“Ready?” I stepped closer and the older guys made a sound of approval as I held out an arm for Jamie to take.

“Gonna escort me to my car?” she said with a wry smile.

“You’re not driving yourself to a date with me.” Her lips parted, but I knew what she was going to ask. “I’ll get you home and to work again in the morning.”

“Sleepover…” Clinton coughed conspicuously. “OK, cool, so now you two lovebirds have that sorted, there’s a Great Northern beer with my name on it and I intend to drink it.”

“A new flannel shirt?” My sister grinned as the two of us approached the bar of the pub. “Damn, Jamie, I’m not sure if you understand what this means.”

“Shut up, Mills,” I growled.

“That’s like formal wear for my brother,” she said, pointing in my direction. “Like a suit and tie. He only replaces his shirts when Mum throws away all the old ones.”

“New ones are all stiff.” I shrugged, my shoulders testing the seams. The fabric was too crisp, the starch making it sit weird.

“You broke out a new shirt for our fake date?” Jamie asked, putting a hand on my shoulder, rubbing the fabric and suddenly it wasn’t just the shirt that was stiff. Millie watched with amusement as I just stood there and let my girl stroke me like a cat. “Just need you to know I appreciate your sacrifice.” But she ended it with a pat and then turned to face Millie. “I’m shouting the first round?—”

I tore my wallet out and tossed my credit card my sister’s way.

“Everything’s on me tonight.” A shout from behind had me turning around. “Within reason. Cut those pricks off after a couple of drinks, but…” I stared down at Jamie. “Pay for whatever Jamie wants with that.”

“Mm… sounds like time for some top-shelf rum,” Millie said, reaching for a gleaming bottle. “Pity to spoil it with Coke, but?—”

“No point in making Brock spring for anything fancy.” I hated Jamie’s self-effacing smile. “It all tastes the same to me. Just my usual, thanks.”

“You could try the top shelf one,” I said, grabbing the beers when they were poured and carrying them over to the table the guys were waiting at.

“What if I hate it?” she replied in a low voice. “No point wasting money on a fake date.” She shot me an impish smile. “Better save it for a girl you’re really interested in.” Jamie turned around then, somehow able to walk backwards without colliding with any of the tables. “Speaking of which, we need to talk about what to do if you do meet someone who genuinely interests you.”

I stared at her, hearing her words fine, just not understanding them. She took in my slight frown and then forged on.

“I mean what if you meet Mrs. Brock tonight? Maybe she’s playing the pokies right now, not realising she’s about to hit the jackpot.” I turned to see a bunch of pensioners sitting at the poker machines. “OK, maybe not those ladies, but…” She stared into my eyes. “You might see someone across a crowded room and just connect, y’know? Like see them and think, ‘oh god, her.’”

I did know. It’d taken a whole lot longer than she thought, but it had happened. I’d come out of the office, ready to talk to someone about something and caught the moment Jamie was pestering Gary about a classic car that had been brought in. She was buzzing around him like a bee and he was tempted to swat her away, but… She wasn’t a kid anymore, nor an apprentice, and somehow that freed my mind up to see it. Jamie was so fucking beautiful, and in that second I hated Gary, wanting all of that passion directed at me.

“So what should I do if I find ‘the one?’” I asked, smiling to try and keep this casual, like every iota of my being wasn’t focussed on her reply.

“Y’know, amble over all big, tall, and grumpy like you always do.” She set her drink down on an empty table, then widened her stance to apparently imitate me. “Maybe less grumpy, though. She doesn’t know you like I do and would frankly be a little scared.”

“Like this?” I asked with a grin.

“Um, no.” She took a step backwards. “Oh god, I don’t think I’ve seen all of your teeth at the same time, and frankly it’s a little disconcerting. You’re like a pit bull snarling at an intruder. A girl likes the idea of a guy ripping her undies off with his teeth, but not actually looking like that’s the case.”

I laughed despite myself and that allowed her to relax.

“Yeah, like that.” She reached up and scratched her fingers through my beard. “You know, you’re kinda hot for an old guy.”