‘Ah.’ Kitty took a deep drag on her cigarette. ‘I needed that.’
‘Can I…’ I began. Then stopped. I knew I shouldn’t. I’d given up a few years ago, but…what the hell. ‘Can I have one?’
‘Knock yourself out.’ Kitty thrust the box at me. ‘Take ʼem. I’ve got more in my bag. They’re menthol, though.’
‘It’s what I smoke…smoked,’ I said, lighting up and slipping the box into my bag, absently. ‘I’m not starting again. I just…fancy one.’
‘Yeah.’ Kitty laughed. ‘That’s what they all say.’
I was about to protest, when I noticed a man standing in the bar. He was looking out at me; a strange, almost hungry, look on his face. I had a feeling I’d seen him before somewhere…recently…but I couldn’t place him. Whoever he was, he was incredibly good looking. I turned to Kitty, to ask her if she knew him but, when I turned back, he’d gone.
Don’t be ridiculous, anyway, I told myself. He wouldn’t be interested in you, and even if he was, you’ve sworn off men. You’re not getting involved with anyone else at the moment. Besides, what would Leo…
‘I didn’t know you smoked,’ a voice said, from behind me.
I stepped back and span round. There, right in front of me, my forehead nearly touching his nose, was the man I’d seen looking out at me. There was another door out onto the balcony. I could see it now.
I looked back at him and he took a step back. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘It’s fine,’ I said. He was breathtakingly, outrageously handsome. He was enough to make a girl weep. I just stared.
‘I…’ He gave a brief laugh, and I looked away, feeling myself begin to blush. ‘I was just saying that you smoked. I didn’t know.’
‘Well, of course you didn’t,’ Kitty interjected with a sharp laugh. ‘How would you? You don’t even know who she is.’
‘On the contrary, I know her very well. Or, at least, I know of her,’ he amended, turning and smiling at me again, with a nod of recognition. ‘Miss Anderton.’
I nodded back, trying to remember where I’d seen him before. It had to be off TV. He had that ultra-perfect look about him and, right now, he had the advantage. I couldn’t place him at all. I took a drag on my cigarette to steady my nerves.
‘And as I was saying,’ he continued, addressing me again. ‘I didn’t realise you smoked.’
‘She doesn’t,’ Kitty said, now physically elbowing her way in front of me. ‘Allegedly.’
‘Allegedly.’ The man smiled at her briefly, acknowledging her joke, then turned to me and, with a look of disapproval, took the cigarette from between my lips and threw it over the edge of the terrace. ‘Smoking is very unbecoming, you know,’ he said. ‘Not to mention, unhealthy.’
I was so mortified, I didn’t even react. I just stared at his now-empty hand, then up at him. There was an amused look in his blue eyes, one I’d seen before and remembered only too well. I felt the colour drain out through my shoes as realisation hit me.
At the same time, I felt Kitty bridle. She made a big show of dragging on her cigarette, apparently expecting him to try to stop her. He didn’t. She was furious at being pushed once again from centre-stage, I could tell. She was rapt by this guy, and small wonder. He was truly beautiful. The only trouble was, that ironic grin had broken the charm. I knew now exactly where I’d seen him before, and why he knew me.
He was Mr Arrogant, from Max’s office.
I felt the colour flood back into my cheeks in a physical rush…they actually pulsed. He was Max’s friend…client…whatever. He’d been there the day I’d found out about Leo. He’d more or less witnessed my humiliation. And here he was again…giving me that same mocking grin he’d given me in Max’s office. No wonder he’d had the gall to throw my fag away. It was all in a day’s work for him. Why did he get such a kick out of embarrassing me?
I didn’t know, and I didn’t want to find out. Someone like him would never be interested in me, anyway. If I was anything to him, I was sport…something to keep him entertained while the bar was so empty.
I threw him what was quickly becoming my trademark Icy Glare, before moving away slightly and turning my back on him to gaze across Hyde Park. I hoped he’d get the message and disappear. Night was closing in, and the lights on the fountains were beginning to stand out against the darkening green of the lawns. I traced the streetlights around the edge of the park, trying to take my mind off his continued presence.
What was he even doing here, anyway? Kitty was trying to find out, not very subtly, but he seemed evasive in his answers. I couldn’t help myself. I was too curious. I turned slightly to watch them, leaning against the balcony and wishing I still had the cigarette. I needed it now.
‘I had some business here tonight,’ he was saying. ‘I came to meet someone.’
‘Ooh.’ Kitty leaned forward, pushing out her ample bust. ‘Who is it? Anyone I’d know.’
‘Yes, well,’ He paused and looked over at me. I turned my head away and pretended to be interested in something on the horizon. ‘That is, I doubt it. Do excuse me.’
He nodded his head at her and smiled briefly. I looked back again, half wishing he’d stay, despite everything. He was looking over at me. His expression, as he caught my eye, was unreadable. I think it was intended as a smile, but it was only his mouth that made it. His eyes were inscrutable. If anything, he looked disappointed.
I watched his back as he went into the bar, pausing briefly at the door as if there was something he’d forgotten to say. He was tall – a good few inches taller than me, even in my heels – and he wore his suit like a second skin. It seemed so natural on him, as if he never wore anything else. His shoulders were square, without being overly broad, and his jacket was fitted enough to show off his athletic build, well-toned but not overly muscled. His dark hair curled slightly over his collar, and he put his hand up to it now, running his fingers through it as if he, too, felt somewhat awkward.
For a moment, I thought he was going to turn back to us – to me – but, if he’d intended to, he thought better of it and disappeared into the bar.
‘Well!’ Kitty seemed almost speechless. ‘Isn’t he adorable?’
‘I’ll smoke if I want to,’ I said, not really listening. ‘What’s his problem, anyway?’
‘He was just trying to make conversation.’ She gave a shrug. ‘You need to lighten up a bit. He was a babe.’
‘Yeah,’ I said, wondering if she was right. Maybe I was just over sensitive. I kept seeing that disappointed look and, despite everything, I felt angry with myself. I wanted to please him, I realised, but that just made me angrier.
‘Your loss is my gain, anyway,’ Kitty continued, heading back inside. ‘I’m in there, later, I reckon.’
‘Yeah,’ I repeated, taking a last look out across the park before following her in. She was probably right, after all. She had the looks and personality to attract a man like that. Not to mention the reputation. Next to her, I was a definite also-ran. Not to mention a disappointment. How come it was okay for Kitty to smoke, anyway? Maybe he didn’t want to risk upsetting her. Take the piss out of the sad friend instead. Yeah, that made sense. I needed to forget him, and fast.
None of this stopped me looking around for him as we walked back across the dance floor to our table. There were more people in the bar now, but he wasn’t one of them.
‘He’s gone.’ Kitty gave a long-suffering sigh and sank down into her seat. ‘Oh well, plenty more where he came from. Look, it’s really filled up!’
It had, somewhat. There were certainly fewer empty tables. A blond man was leaning over the railings above us. He was quite handsome in a Nordic God kind of way, all blond hair, tanned skin and muscles, and it didn’t take Kitty long to notice him.