Page 16 of Trouble from Abroad
This time, captained by the maître d’, the staff gang up on us. We’re suddenly surrounded by four servers: one fills our glasses of water, two place a selection of hors d'oeuvres on the table—a gift from the chef. The last one, who I can only assume is the house sommelier, stands poised with a bottle of champagne—another courtesy of the house, of course. Liam nods and accepts it without hesitation or surprise, the pampered bastard.
The table shakes, and April shrieks before our glasses are filled all the way. She grabs her calf, and I tsk.
Liam pushes the whole table sideways, out of his way, to get to her lower leg. I grab Mia’s glass of water and mine before they tip and spill. A waiter standing guard catches theirs. Mia watches me with a curious expression, missing the joke.
I stay cool, watching Liam, who is now on his knees next to April, doting on her, reminding me of the lovesick fool I once was. Never again. But good for him—April deserves that. And the pain, too. I know damn well why she kicked the table.
“What happened, baby girl?”
I beat April to it, answering for her. Guess we’re airing dirty laundry in public after all.
“April thinks I’m a drunk. Anout-of-controldrunk who can’t handle seeing a bottle of alcohol on this table.”
Mia’s hand slides onto my thigh under the table, firm and anchoring. Only then do I realize my voice had climbed, and the tables around us are already turning to catch the drama.
Fuck’s sake. Her hand is a bit too high up my thigh for my comfort—or composure. Does she realize it, or am I imagining things? I swallow hard and sit perfectly still, torn between wanting her to stop and dreading that she might. Truth is, I’m not even sure what I’m wishing for.
I should move her hand. I don’t. And that’s on me.
I force a calmer tone. “April was aiming for your calf when she kicked the table instead.” Sipping my water, I look her dead in the eye, and ask, “Right, A?”
Leaning back, I feel Mia’s hand start to move. Light, measured strokes up and down. A ‘calm down’ move.
It has the exact opposite effect. My pants grow tighter, but I don’t blame myself. No man alive would remain unaffected by her touch.
She taps my thigh a couple of times—probably congratulating me for my restraint towards April.
Ha. If she only knew. She should be applauding me for not grabbing her hand and showing her exactly what she’s doing to me.
“I don’t think you’re a drunk,” April says quickly, sitting up straighter, pride swallowed along with her pain.
She glances at Liam, still massaging her leg, then pokes his shoulder. “It’s called being sensible. Sensitive to the ones we love.”
“That’s me,” Liam says, dry. “Sensible. Please, baby girl. I get along with the guy;loveis pushing it.”
I address Mia now. “Mia, despite what April thinks, I’mnot an alcoholic. I was going through a rough patch, sure. And yes, I went on a bender. Many benders. But that’s behind me. I haven’t had a drink in weeks, and I’m fine.”
I lift my glass of water and plaster on a smile. “Go on, take a picture. Calista’s going to want proof when you tattle later.”
Low blow. I know. But I’m tired of being watched, judged, and handled twenty-four-seven by those two.
“Whose idea was it to plant someone in my house to keep tabs on me?” I tilt my head sideways, slow and sarcastic. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” I pause for a breath. “I didn’t ask you to come back from the UK and then give you my job just to break your trust like that. Give me a break. And maybe give me an actual shot while you’re at it.”
I lean back, jaw tight. Liam steps in before April says something that’ll really set me off.
We love like family, we fight like family.
“Come on, Jett. You know she’s just looking after you. She worries.” Her fiancé finally goes back to his seat and holds her hand now. Fuck me, they’re cute together. So annoying.
“I’m a forty-three-year-old man, Gunn. I don’t need anyone worryin?—”
Mia chokes on her water and coughs a lung out. “Y-you’re forty-three?” She dabs her chin with a napkin. “Sorry, it’s just… you don’t look that old.”
I scoff. “Thank you. Now I feel even older.” It’s Liam’s turn to choke and cackle at my expense. “As if you’re that far behind, asshole,” I remind him.
“This is not the place I wanted to have this conversation,but since we already started it…” I turn my full attention to April, who’s looking as guilty as she should. “A, I called you because my life was falling apart and I needed my best friend by my side. You get that, right?”
Her hand reaches across the table to grab mine. “Of course I do. And I jumped on the first plane to be here for you.”
