Rules of Engagement by Katrina Liss

Author:Katrina Liss [Liss, Katrina]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: katliss.com
Published: 2020-11-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Ella

At six twenty five I arrive at the bar pretty late, ready with my apologies. I missed my ride on the subway and had to wait a while for the next.

Tom waves me over.

I launch into him and hug him tight.

“Sorry I’m so late.”

“I only got here ten minutes ago myself. You’re fine.”

"Girl, you’re a sight for sore eyes." He looks me over, his eyes sweeping down my tight tube dress to the black peep toe wedges. I know I look pretty good. I have my hair set into a high ponytail which is curled at the ends and looks full and bouncy. The dress molds to me like a second skin. I have a lacy throw tossed around my shoulders for the sake of modesty.

“Hot date?”

“Aha.”

“Lucky guy,” he drawls, extra slowly. Tom is well into his pregnant lady, he wouldn’t ever make a move on me, but I can see he’s impressed with my spanking new look. “Who is he?”

“A city trader. I met him through my friend Callie.”

He nods at a drink on the bar.

“I got you a wine. Is that okay?”

I lean forward and whisper. "Do I look over twenty one? ‘Cos if they ID me I’m thirteen months short."

“You’re good.” Tom laughs.

Thankfully no one questions it.

I take a quick sip at my drink and we move away from the bar and take a seat at the window on some high stools with a tiny table between us. This is perfect. We can watch everyone rushing by while we enjoy a relaxing half hour.

“Here.” I slip Tom a ten dollar bill for my drink and he slides the note right back.

“It’s fine, Pip and I manage okay.”

“Take it,” I order. “Or I won’t drink the wine.” I know Tom struggles even with the two of them working.

“No need.”

“I mean it.”

He rolls his eyes and pockets the note.

We’re only sitting there for ten or fifteen minutes at the most, chatting about the forthcoming baby and the family conflict raging over the unborn child’s baptism, when I notice Tom is distracted and looking out the window.

“D’you know that guy? Only he seems to be staring at you.”

I follow his gaze.

There stands Vic, large as life.

“Oh. That’s my date. He’s a bit early though,” I say, taking a peek at my dress watch.

I smile and gesture to him to wait next door, mouthing, ‘give me five, okay?’

Ignoring my request, he turns and makes his way inside the bar.

He strides toward to the table purposefully. I take in the sharp suit, the neat tie, the edible scruff round his jaw. I’m looking forward to our dinner date. Well, I would be, if he was looking a bit happier to see me.

“Who are you?” he asks, glaring at Tom.

“I’m Thomas.” Tom sticks out his hand for a shake but Vic rudely ignores him. “Can I get you a drink?"

“No, thanks,” Vic dismisses Tom and turns his attention to me.

He holds out his hand. "You ready?"

“Well, no. You're a bit early, Vic. Give us ten minutes to finish off here, yeah?”

“I’ll wait here.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.