Cocktails in Chelsea (4 page)

‘I’m in,’ Tori interrupted, eyes lighting up.

‘Really?’

‘Yes, absolutely. Let me just finish doing my hair.’

‘I think you should let it down.’

‘All right,’ Tori looked doubtful. ‘Christie always says-,’

‘It’ll suit you better loose,’ Sofia said firmly, ‘Anyway, Christie’s not here. You’re getting changed too. That’s way too dressy, have you got anything more casual?’

Tori shot up from her seat, shaking her hair out so that it fell in soft waves around her face. ‘I’ve got a pair of somewhere,’ she chewed her lip thoughtfully, ‘and a cashmere sweater and some leather riding boots. Will that do?’

Sofia sighed, thinking of her own battered skinny jeans, comfy purple jumper and Converse trainers. ‘Yes, that’ll do.’

Their day went to plan and Sofia took more photos on her phone than she knew it could hold, laughing with Tori as the wind whipped their hair around their faces on the bank of the grey Thames and gasping at the astounding views of the city from a capsule at the top of the iconic London Eye. Cajoling Tori into sharing a mid-afternoon cream cake in a cafe near Borough Market, it also took pleasingly little effort to talk her into watching the Premiership game in a high-street pub. It was too late to get match tickets but they got a spot near the flat-screen TV, which was good enough for Sofia.

The atmosphere in the pub was good-natured and other customers threw comments at the screen when a player missed a goal, or moaned when Stoke City got a corner. Tori was a big hit with a group of Chelsea supporters at the next table over and the girls ended up sitting with the men during the second half. Tori even had some beer and, dizzy with daytime drinking, flipped beer mats with one of the men, a cute red-haired joker who kept taking the piss out of her for being posh. Sofia watched with a smile, joining in with the fun. At one point, Tori wiggled closed to Sofia, exhaling beery breath into her ear. ‘I think I might like a bit of rough, Sof. What do you think?’

Sofia smirked, ‘I think you’re a bit drunk, but it’s not such a bad idea.’

After the match, when the men had departed with hugs and waves, leaving a few of their numbers behind, Sofia leaned back in her chair. ‘You know Tori, this is the most relaxed I’ve ever seen you.’ There was a softness to her face that made her look gorgeous and carefree, and Sofia remembered the girl was actually a couple of years younger than her.

‘It’s the most relaxed I’ve ever been, I think. Thank you for such a fab day,’ her friend replied, nodding. Pausing, she looked Sofia in the eye, swaying slightly. ‘You didn’t have a headache last night, did you? Or if you did, that wasn’t why you wanted to leave. Something happened between you and that barman you kept staring at.’

Sofia grimaced. Had she been that obvious? Bugger. ‘Well, I…’

Tori flapped her hand around, ‘It’s fine. Don’t make up excuses. But you do know he came and asked us your name, when you were outside on the phone to your sister?’

‘No…’ She’d had no idea. But now she thought of it, hadn’t he called her by name as she ran out?

‘Yes.’ Tori nodded. ‘I think he liked you.’

‘You do?’ The memory of Nathan's kiss had resurfaced constantly during the day, no matter how much she tried to forget it.

‘Yes. Come on,’ the other girl pushed out of her chair, looking determined. ‘Let’s go home and get changed. We’re going back to the bar.’

Sofia rose slowly, grabbing her jacket and shrugging into it. ‘I don’t know.’ The thought was scary and exciting at the same time. Maybe she should listen to Tori though. She'd basically run away from Nathan, and maybe he’d have something else to say to her, once he wasn’t so angry?

‘We really need to go.’ Tori tugged on her elbow.

‘You think he liked me that much?’ Sofia raised an eyebrow.

‘I’m not sure. Maybe.’ Tori tapped the expensive gold watch on her wrist, and held up her phone, which had a list of missed calls on the screen. ‘But I’ve just realised it’s almost eight ‘o’ clock. My sister is going to kill us.’

'You've changed.' Nathan looked her up and down as she strode over and hopped onto a stool at the bar.

'I'm not sure if that's a compliment or not, but this is more me.' She waved at the scarlet camisole top and form-fitting black jeans she was wearing, feeling good. Feeling herself, and more in control. She and Christie had wrangled over the outfit, but Sofia had stood her ground. The sisters weren’t better than her, they were just different. Once Sofia had made that clear to Christie, and the other girl had realised she wasn’t going to get her own way, she’d retreated in a huff. Sofia was sure she’d seen a hint of respect in her eyes though.

Nathan stared at her. ‘You look… better.'

'Wow, don't knock a girl out with too many compliments.' She wasn’t that used to flirting but at least being friends with a lot of guys had given her some banter.

'Sorry. I just know I can be quite overwhelming sometimes, when I'm on the charm offensive, so I try to hold back,' he teased, grinning. 'I like to give the girl a fair chance.'

She smiled, shifted her hips a little, watching with delight as his eyes tracked the movement.
So maybe he does like me, at least a little
. 'I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I guess I'm forgiven then? For the kiss, I mean, and for pretending to be someone else. I thought I should say sorry again.' She held her breath.

'Thanks, but there’s no need.’ Folding his arms on the bar, he dipped his head toward hers, face becoming serious. ‘Look Sofia, I over-reacted, mostly because I'm exhausted, and tired of this place. I have got a bit of a thing about honesty too, but you obviously had your reasons for doing what you did, so I shouldn’t have judged you so harshly. Despite the way I reacted yesterday, I do know I’m not perfect. You caught me by surprise, that’s all.’ He looked into her eyes, long lashes flickering. ‘I've hardly been on my best behaviour, so I'm sorry too.'

‘You are?' she asked croakily, breathing in his gorgeous, crisp scent.

'Yes. I don’t understand why you were faking it, but-,’

‘It was just a bit of silliness,’ she mumbled, ‘I got carried away.’

‘Well, don't get me wrong,' he gazed at her mouth, making her stomach swoop to the floor, 'you looked stunning, but I much prefer you like this.' He pointed at the bright top and golden, messy, rippling waves dropping almost to her waist, his brown eyes warming. 'Also,' he leaned even closer, 'to be honest it's a relief to find out that you're,' his voice dropped to a whisper, 'you know,
normal
.'

She laughed giddily, turning to look at Tori and Christie, who were watching her exchange with Nathan. 'They're normal,' she smiled, 'just not brought up in the same way as you or me.'

'I don't know,' he smiled crookedly, 'the blonde looks like she'd take me apart in a heartbeat.'

She giggled, wondering where on earth tomboyish Sofia had got to. She might not be experienced but she knew he was interested from the way he spoke to her, the expression on his face as he looked at her. There was a power in that knowledge and it made her feel exhilarated. It was fun. Was this what Isobel had been talking about? 'Christie has her moments,' she shared, 'but she's not that bad.'

'Hmm.' His eyes dropped back to her mouth. 'I'll take your word for it.'

'I guess you'll have to.' Her hands were trembling so she pressed them down on the bar.

'So, can I get you a drink?' Nathan unfolded his mega-tall body as Quinn sauntered up and put a tray full of empties on the side.

She felt ridiculously disappointed. 'I- champagne for Christie please, and Tori and I will have Mojito's tonight.'

'In the mood for something Cuban, huh?’

‘I’m lucky to have visited Cuba a couple of years ago and it’s amazing,’ Sofia breathed, nodding enthusiastically, ‘and I got addicted to Mojito’s when I was over there. But it’s the rest of it that’s amazing; the history, the culture, music, salsa, the peeling colourful buildings, all the classic cars, the passion of the people. The variety is incredible.’

Nathan raised an eyebrow, ‘Wow. So you want to go back?’

‘Maybe one day. But there are loads of other places to see first. I’m planning on a cheapie trip to Jamaica next, the setting of one of my favourite films. Backpacking in Vietnam has been my favourite so far.’

He nodded seriously, ‘I see. You don’t stay still for long then?’

‘I flat-share with three friends so that I can save up and go away a couple of times a year. I travel for work too, usually just in the UK, but we’re slowly expanding into other parts of Europe, so I’m excited about the possibility of some longer distance trips.’

‘You’ve really been bitten by the travel bug then,’ he said with an odd twist to his lips.

‘I guess,’ Sofia agreed. ‘But don’t get me wrong, I love my home town too. Bournemouth is great.’ And perhaps if she had her own space and someone lovely to share it with, she wouldn’t feel the need to fling clothes in a bag and hit the road quite so often.

‘Right. Well, er, I'll sort these drinks out for you and bring them over.' He turned away, reaching left and right for different glasses.

'Okay, thank you.' Disappointment hit her again, because she wanted to stand at the bar and drool as he worked his magic with the cocktails. But she could hardly tell him that.

Nathan's deep voice stopped her as she went to move away from the bar. 'Sofia?'

The way he said her name made her knickers ping.

'Yes?' She twisted to face him, licking her lips. Was he going to ask her out? Maybe see if he could have her number?

'These are on me.' He grabbed a cocktail shaker and wooden stirrer. 'For giving you a hard time.'

'Thanks.' She said lamely, before traipsing back to the table, feeling decidedly flat.

'I don't see what the attraction is.' Christie sniffed a few drinks later, checking the platinum watch on her wrist. 'He's
only
a barman.'

'What did you say?' Sofia fell back in her chair, staring at her.

'Isn't there a song about it? Working as a waiter in a cocktail bar?'

'It's waitress actually.' Sofia gritted, sitting forward. 'And so what?'

'I could never date or be with someone in the service industry. I'm just saying.’

'Christie.' Sofia sighed tiredly, standing up. 'Please don't say stuff like that. I'm sorry, but that’s it.' She was done with being polite. 'I've put up with your rubbish because of our Mums but I'm done.' She grabbed her bag off the table, watching Christie's jaw drop. 'You're a snob, and I feel sorry for Tori, putting up with you day in and day out. I'm out of here.'

'Me too.' Tori said, jumping up. 'I have a date.'

'With who?' Christie demanded, spiking a look at Sofia before gazing her sister.

'With a man I met today,' a dimple flashed in Tori’s cheek as she smiled, 'if you want to know. He seems interesting, and is very good looking. He went to the cinema with friends and just texted me. I’ve agreed to meet him in the West End.'

'Fine,' Christie snapped, scraping back her stool. 'But it's me who's leaving. And don't bother coming back to ours tonight,' she fumed at Sofia. 'I'll be locking the door. She frowned at her sister. 'We'll talk in the morning.' Whipping around, back straight with indignation, she stalked out.

Tori and Sofia looked at each other.

Sofia's mouth twitched. Tori bit her lip. Sofia smiled and couldn't help it getting wider.

'Did you see her face?' Tori choked.

'Yes.' Sofia started giggling, clutching her side. 'I love her, she's my sister, but-,' she erupted in full-out laughter, the tinkling sound drawing admiring glances from the crowd of men around them.

‘She needs to have a bit more fun.’

‘One hundred per cent.’ Tori agreed, getting to her feet. ‘I’d better go or I’ll be late for my date.’

‘Good luck.’

Tori paused, ‘Thanks. You can probably come back to ours tonight, just give her a few hours to calm down. Anyway, I can make sure the door is unlocked for you. The only thing is, I don’t know what time I’ll get home.' Her face dropped, and she looked torn.

‘Don't worry about it, I'll hang out here for a bit.' Sofia assured her. She didn't have the money in her account for even a budget hotel, and as predicted her credit card was now maxed up to the limit. But life had a way of working out.

'Are you sure?'

'It's fine. Shoo. Go, enjoy.' Sofia waved her towards the door.

Tori hesitated.

'Don't worry, I'll take care of her.' A deep voice said.

'Nathan. Where did you spring from?'

'Actually,' a crooked smile quirked up one corner of his mouth, and he slid his hands into his pockets, making the shirt pull tight across his shoulders, 'I've just been over there,' he nodded to a VIP booth a few feet away, 'for the last ten minutes.'

'Oh.' How much had he heard? Everything Christie had said? Cringe.

He raised an eyebrow at Tori. 'You go. Sofia's coming home with me.'

'She is?'

'I am?'

Both girls spoke at once.

'You need somewhere to be for a few hours by the sounds of it and your friend needs to go and meet this guy without feeling guilty for abandoning you. Right?'

'Yes,' Sofia replied. It was true. She wasn't sure Tori would leave if she declined Nathan's offer and she didn't want to ruin her friend's night. ‘Okay, sounds good.’

'I'll leave you to it then?' Tori wiggled her eyebrows behind Nathan's back and winked. 'Call me later, Sof. Bye.'

Sofia nodded, 'Have fun.' She waited for Tori to leave before glancing up at Nathan. 'It's okay, she's gone now. It's Saturday night. Surely you need to work?'

'I wasn't saying it for show. You are coming home with me. And work-wise, Scott and Lee are in too and Quinn owes me a favour. Besides, it's gone eleven and getting quiet, people are moving on to other places.'

'Oh. Well, only if you’re sure.’

'I am. Come on.'

She hesitated. She did need somewhere to be for a while, but… 'I don't even know your surname.'

'Black.'

She couldn't help it, she snorted. 'Nathan Black?'

'Yep.' He seemed mildly offended. 'What's wrong with it? I think it’s a cool name.''It is a cool name.’ She smiled wryly. ‘And I’m Sofia Gold.’