“What do you think you’re doing?” Adam scowled at James. He’d never heard of anything so ludicrous in all his life. They both ducked the low doorframe as they entered the pub. The warmth hit them, dry and stuffy compared to outside. “Not only did you just put me in a very awkward situation, the poor girl’s embarrassed.”
“Come on, Adam, she needs a date. Just go along, charm the guests, keep them off her back. You never know, you might enjoy the weekend.” James leaned against the bar. “And Bella’s no longer on the scene, so what’s the problem?” Adam winced. Bella had wanted more than he was prepared to give. He was too busy with work. And his father expected nothing short of absolute dedication.
Adam ordered the drinks when the barmaid arrived, trying to think of arguments for not doing it. There were plenty.
“We hardly know each other.”
James nudged him and laughed. “When has that stopped you before?”
“That’s different! Besides, what have you told her about me?” Adam looked at him questioningly.
“Only what everyone else knows.” James held up his hand defensively. “If she’s ever listened to me jabber on,” James winced, “then she might think of you as ladies’ man.”
“Oh, just wonderful.” Adam shook his head.
“Look, you know I would have gone with Soph, but I’m at that damn meeting in Manchester – and you’re not.” James paused. “And even if I could, Kate loves Sophie, but I’m not even sure she’d understand this one. Come on, help a mate out,” James said, rubbing his hand through his unkempt hair. “Do it for me? You’re the only guy I can trust to do this properly.”
“I don’t know.” Adam slid his hands into his pockets. Why hadn’t he stayed at the office this evening? He’d taken the opportunity to leave on time, rarely able to join the workforce down the pub on a Friday. Now he regretted it. First Bella, and now this.
“So, how good is she … at engineering?” Adam said hesitantly.
James frowned. “She’s a bloody good design engineer. Thomas will be making her chief engineer at this rate – obviously some time yet, she’s only young.”
“So we don’t want to lose her?” Adam’s forehead creased. Would helping Sophie actually benefit him, even if only in company matters?
“No, but what’s this got to do … ? Adam, I’m asking you as a friend.”
“I know, but I might need to call in a favour.” He shrugged.
“Man, it’s always about work with you. Well, you’re probably both suited. The woman works all hours,” James said. Then more sternly, “But she’s the sort who’d help a friend out if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“I don’t know what I’m thinking. This is a stupid idea.”
“She’s great. You’ll love her. You two might even hit it off.” James sounded hopeful. Adam scowled.
“We’ve talked about this before. You know it’s not for me, settling down. Not everybody wants what you and Kate have.”
“How do you know if you don’t try it? Dating a woman who’s not afraid to chip a nail might do you good.”
“Date?” Adam sighed and run a hand through his hair. The barmaid put the last pint on the bar and Adam paid her.
James continued frantically, realising his misplaced word. “I’m not asking you to sleep with her. In fact you’d better not - I’ll bloody kill you! Sophie’s a nice young lady, who needs treating properly.” James looked at him knowingly but Adam’s returned expression was horrified. “But truthfully, I think something’s up.”
“Oh, great.”
“She needs someone there for moral support, for some reason. Like I said, she helps friends out, that’s why I can’t believe she’s seriously thinking of not going.” James nudged him. “Haven’t I got you out of a few scrapes? If you’re helping Soph out, you’re helping me out,” James added, looking pleadingly at him. “You’re the only one I know I can trust.”
Trust. There it was again. If James wasn’t such a good friend …
The barmaid handed Adam his change and he sighed. “All right, all right, I’ll do it.”
James slapped his back and grinned. “You won’t regret it.”
“Famous last words those.”
“Sophie is lovely.”
“You keep saying that, but she’s not really my –”
“The problem is you can’t see beyond a woman’s looks. You wait until you get to know her. Trust me.”
Adam rubbed his forehead, and they headed back to the pub garden. “Why do I get the feeling I’m going to regret this?”
***
Well done, James. The one thing she would have liked to have kept buried deep in her handbag, was now the topic of the most embarrassing conversation at the pub.
Coward.
This could be the answer to her fears; only Adam Reid … Really?
While she worried about what James was telling Adam at the bar, she said hello to colleagues, not really listening to them and what they were up to at the weekend.
What would she be doing this weekend? Thinking about packing, or plucking up the courage to call Cassie?
Why hadn’t James stuck with asking Kate? Or one of her accountant friends? Oh, no, he’d asked Adam Reid from Sales and Marketing – a department she wasn’t even familiar with, as her job rarely led her there. All she knew was everyone dressed in smart, slick suits and looked immaculate. They talked about sales figures, advertising campaigns and the big picture, while she and James knuckled down to the hard work behind the scenes.
She glanced around the pub. Some of them were here.
Sophie swallowed, conscious her throat was like sandpaper, and sipping her wine didn’t help.
James and Adam walked towards her and sat down in silence.
What had James told him?
All nice things, surely? He’s a friend. Though, how well did James know her, really? So they worked together five days a week, and went to the pub on a Friday evening, but Sophie didn’t speak much about home, and what awaited her there. They talked shop most of the time, discussing their latest design project, or she let James fill her in on his weekends with Kate and friends.
“As I was saying,” James looked at Adam, as if passing a silent message between them, “Adam will go with you to the wedding.”
“You don’t have to.”
Adam smiled, in an ‘I don’t
