Distracted By You: Book 1 in The Exeter Running Girls Series, стр. 54
“Well, yes and no.” It sounded like she was pacing about. “To me, it didn’t sound like you did anything wrong, but Tye can’t see that. Yet I’m the same. Bull in a china shop is much more my style than mince around like Tye.”
“Bull?” I laughed, thinking she was too tiny to be a bull.
“No, you’re right. Huge tower-block sized bulldozer is more like it.”
“Yeah, but I don’t think you would have said what I did.”
“Ivy,” her voice turned serious. “You do realise what you did for Tye’s sister? That girl was going to have her stomach pumped. She may have even choked if you hadn’t been there. Who knows, we’ll never know. In my opinion, he should forgive you for anything after that.”
“Too bad he doesn’t share your point of view.”
“So, what’s the plan?”
“How did you know there was a plan?” I laughed, sitting back in the chair.
“You’re friends with Leonora and Ellie, right? I haven’t met the girls, but from what I gather, those two know how to land a man. There was bound to be a plan!”
“You sound like you admire their skills?”
“Oh I do.”
“Hey Leonora, Ellie?” I pulled away from the phone for a second but held it up so Savannah could hear. “She says she likes your skills.”
“Can she teach me how to keep a man?” Ellie called back loudly.
“Any time!” Savannah shouted. “So, the plan?”
“By any chance, are you guys going out tonight?” I put the phone back to my ear.
“Oh yes, pool at Chequers.”
“I should have known.”
“Fancy crashing the party?”
“Yes and no.”
“Do it! And bask in admiration of my acting skills when I look surprised to see you there.”
Chapter 19
I won the argument against the black and white dress. Instead, I opted for the same off-the-shoulder green jumper and skinny jeans I had worn the first time Tye took me to Chequers. I got a small thrill from the memory of his words when he’d pointed out my clothes that night.
Leonora, Ellie, and Cara insisted on coming. Cara claimed they weren’t just coming to be an audience for a fiasco, but she didn’t sound convincing. Ellie pointed out that if disaster struck and Tye wasn’t prepared to talk to me then we’d drown our sorrows together over toffee apple ciders.
Sounded like a good alternative to me.
We arrived at the pub early – Cara went down the stairs to check they hadn’t arrived first, but there was no sign. As she arrived back at the bar, I had already finished my first cider.
“Ivy, you might want a clear head for this conversation,” Ellie steered the empty glass away from me.
“What’s the point in that? Now I’m here I’m only more convinced he’ll refuse to speak to me.” I beckoned the bartender for another. Much to her annoyance, he quickly served me another glass.
“Oh shit,” Leonora’s voice came from behind us.
“What is it?” Cara strained on her tiptoes in her red heels to see but was too small to peer over anyone’s shoulders.
“I see Kyle.”
“What?” I snapped my head round in panic, allowing Cara to quickly swipe the cider glass from my hand.
“Finally, your thieving skills are being put to good use.” Ellie approved with a nod.
“What’s he doing here?” I whispered, I don’t know why when it was such a crowded and loud room.
“He doesn’t know you’re here.” Leonora turned and took my hand comfortingly. “He’s with some friends by the look of it. Benji’s there.”
At the name, Cara didn’t even look up. We all turned our eyes to her at which point she gazed up innocently.
“What? I’m getting past it. As I said.”
“What do we do?” I gestured to the corner of the room where Kyle had disappeared to with his friends. I could only pray he hadn’t seen me.
“Nothing.” Ellie said firmly. “You’re with us. You’re as safe as can be. He’s not so mental he would do anything in a busy pub.”
“Exactly.” Leonora confirmed.
“Another cider!” I called to the bartender, much to all of their annoyance.
Almost two hours passed and there was no sign of Tye. At the end of the second hour, Savannah and Sam walked in. Sam didn’t look our way, but Savannah did. She did a little wave when his back was turned and hurried him quickly down the stairs, not giving him a chance to see we were there.
“I wonder if she’s got another bet on,” I giggled as I tilted slightly in the stool. Leonora wasn’t best pleased that I was tipsy, but I couldn’t help it.
“A bet?” Ellie asked, conveniently taking my glass as she sidled into the stool next to me round a tall table.
“Savannah and Sam had a bet on whether Tye and I would be a thing before Easter. Savannah won,” I smiled at the memory. I wanted that night back. “I wonder if they’re betting on this conversation.”
“She’s shrewd, I like it.” Cara narrowed her eyes with thought. “She also had the inside track that you’d be here.”
“This is ridiculous,” I looked down, expecting to see my cider glass and disappointed that it was gone. “He’s not coming.”
“Give it a bit longer.” Leonora moved to the stool on my other side. “If those two have just arrived, he could come any minute.”
That thought set my nerves back. I hadn’t realised when the black hole that had been in my stomach had started to close, but it suddenly felt not as deep as it was. It meant that I could feel those little people that embodied my nerves extremely on edge, all bouncing up and down in