Page 81 of The Weekend Getaway

“Sitting at the bar. Red hair …”

“You don’t need to say any more. I’ve clocked her. I know exactly which one she is because she looks like a conniving wench.”

Keira shook her head. “You know which one she is because she’s the only woman sitting at the bar.”

“There could have been a hundred and I’d still have been able to tell!”

“Behave yourself, please.” Keira playfully elbowed her, then set off across the pub.

“Thank goodness you’re here,” Seren said. “Noah introduced me to a few people but then he left me to go and mingle.”

Keira frowned as she looked over at Noah, who was laughing with Kevin and a couple of other guys. “I guess he’s going to spend all evening mingling.”

“We haven’t met.” Mel stepped in front of Seren and thrust her hand out.

“Oh my god!” Seren’s eyes lit up as she shook it. “Are you Mel? Noah told me all about you.”

“What exactly did he say?” Mel shuffled onto the stool beside Seren while Keira remained standing.

“That you’re Keira’s cool lesbian best friend who wants his sperm.”

Keira snorted a laugh. “He told you about that?”

“Yes!” Seren beamed. “We had this whole debate about it.”

Mel’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of debate?”

“I realise it was all just messing around, but I asked him what he’d say if you asked him seriously … he said no, and I told him that was pretty selfish and he should definitely give you his sperm. It turned into quite a discussion.”

“This is annoying.” Mel’s gaze flicked to Keira. “She’s nice.”

“I already told you that.”

Mel blew out a breath. “That’s totally ruined my plans for the night.”

“What has?” Seren asked, her eyes ping-ponging between them.

“I thought you were going to be some evil wench intent on causing trouble between Keira and Noah.”

Seren’s eyes darted to Keira, then back to Mel. “Do people still use the word wench?”

“Yes!” Mel cracked up laughing. “I do. But only in relation to you.”

“How have I messed up your plans for the night?” Seren asked.

“I had this whole speech planned,” Mel told her. “I was going to corner you in the ladies’ and give you a lecture about how no one messes with my friend and if you upset her in any way I’m going to …”

“Going to what?” Seren asked.

“I can’t remember!” Mel said, laughing loudly. “But there was going to be a lot of finger-jabbing and obnoxious shoulder movements.”

“It sounds hilarious,” Seren said. “We should have a few drinks and do it later just for a laugh.”

Keira chuckled. “I thought I was going to have to play referee all night, but now I feel as though you’re going to be best friends in about five minutes.”

“Probably about two drinks from now,” Mel agreed. “We need a new plan for the evening if I don’t need to do my protective best friend act.”

“We could tease Noah,” Seren suggested. “That’s always fun.”