Million Love Songs(57)

‘I can’t keep up with you,’ Charlie says. ‘One minute it’s all on with Shagger. The next it’s Joe. I don’t know how you cope.’

‘I confuse myself,’ I admit. ‘Though, in fairness, I haven’t even had a proper date with Joe yet and I haven’t seen Mason for weeks. I’m not in a mutually exclusive relationship with either of them.’

‘Mutually exclusive, eh? Big words. Sounds as if you’ve swallowed a copy of Cosmo. I should also point out that you’re not exactly in any sort of relationship with either of them.’

‘Good point, well made,’ I tell her.

The trouble is, I want to be cautious and not get involved with the wrong sort again. I know, like Charlie, you’re thinking of my dalliance with Mason – but that was me having fun. Although it didn’t quite turn out as I expected and I learned my lesson. This time, I’m staying away from the baddies. I’ve realised that I can’t do sex without strings. I like to be in a relationship. I’m coming to understand more of who I am and, at fast approaching forty years old, that has to be a good thing, right?

‘I want you to know that I’m doing this under extreme duress,’ Charlie says. ‘Also, because I have two Gary events on the calendar that I might need you to cover.’

‘I’ll do it,’ I say without hesitation.

‘OK. I’ll swap shifts,’ she says. ‘I’ll leave you to tell Jay.’

‘I love you.’

Charlie waves a hand, dismissively. ‘Cupboard love.’

‘Let’s hang out after we finish work tonight,’ I suggest. ‘We can watch a crap film and crack a bottle of something. My treat.’

‘Sounds like a plan,’ Charlie says. Then she fixes me with a stare. ‘You’re my best friend and I love you but don’t come crying to me when it all goes horribly wrong, Ruby Brown.’

‘I won’t. Cross my heart and hope to die.’ Besides, and I’m only telling you this, I have a very good feeling about this one.

Later, much later, I’m behind the bar pulling a pint when Mason rocks up at the pub. I’ve kind of been dreading seeing him and wondering why I haven’t at the same time.

‘Evening, Ms Brown,’ he says. ‘What are you doing behind the bar?’

‘Ben didn’t turn in for his shift. It’s all hands to the pump. Literally.’ Clearly our boss has finished his taxing stint at the Grand Prix season for the time being and is coming to see what his minions are up to. ‘The place has been madness.’

‘I’ll take over,’ he says.

‘I’m fine,’ I say a bit tartly. ‘I can manage.’

Mason sighs at me. ‘Brown, no need to fight me on everything. Let me help.’

So I capitulate and he finishes pulling the pint with expert skill. ‘I should have called,’ he says. ‘I’ve been busy, but it was very remiss of me.’

I shrug as if I couldn’t care less. Which I almost don’t. ‘I’ve been busy too.’

‘Come to the club tonight after we’ve finished here. We can catch up over cocktails.’ He puts a hand on my waist.

I slap his hand away. ‘That’s sexual harassment. Hands off the workers.’

‘You didn’t seem to protest too much in Paris,’ he reminds me and he gives me a cheeky squeeze. Part of me – a tiny part – is pleased to see Mason back in the pub and it’s not simply because we’re so short-handed tonight.

‘Ah. That was then. This is now.’

Mason laughs. ‘God, I’ve missed you, Brown. You and your pithy repartee. Come to the club. Let’s get drunk together.’

‘Can’t. I’ve promised Charlie I’ll watch a film at her place.’

‘Riveting. You can do that anytime. Bring Charlie too. Dirty Dancing can wait.’

‘Not tonight. But thanks for the offer.’

‘I want to know what you’ve been doing without me.’

‘Nothing.’ I decide to fess up. ‘My social life is a wasteland through which no one wanders.’

He frowns at me. ‘Then why are you looking so pleased with yourself?’

‘I’m not.’ Though I can’t suppress the smile on my lips.

‘You look like you’re harbouring a smug little secret.’

‘Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not.’ Though I flush as I say it. Mason needs to know nothing about my love life as I need to know nothing about his. Though I do wonder whether he had another little ménage à trois on his travels. I expect so.

‘I’m having an official opening for the Vibe Lounge,’ he tells me. ‘Say you’ll come to that.’

‘I might. If you ask nicely.’

‘I just did.’ He narrows his eyes. ‘There’s something going on with you. I know it. I just don’t know what.’

Then to deflect attention from myself, I say, ‘Are you going to make yourself useful behind this bar or not?’

Mason grins at me. ‘I do like a bossy woman, Brown. Never forget that.’

I roll my eyes at him and grab the waiting tray of drinks before the people on table four die of thirst.





Chapter Forty-Seven