I rolled my eyes but secretly I was pleased H was so pussy-whipped and loved up. He’d had his own fair share of grief over the years and now he had the life he so deserved.
“Right. I’m off home,” Eli stated. “It’s been a great night. Haven’t seen any sign of a date though. Times getting on you know for you to be all loved up yourself with a woman. Looks like my daughter might get a date soon after all.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I replied. “Don’t you worry about me. I have plans, dates to be arranged.”
“Is that right?” Eli winked. Clearly not believing a word I said.
“I will find a woman and you my friend will be dating that Assistant of yours, believe me. Now stop ganging up on me.” I said, getting annoyed. “Just because I turned down that model.”
“We just worry about you, friend. You turned down a Victoria’s Secret model. We thought you must be losing your mind.” H patted me on the back again.
“Not my type of girl.” I said.
“I don’t think they’ve made your type of girl yet.” Laughed Eli. “A woman who’ll stay at home while you work here. Not a chance.”
Then the strangest thing happened. Lori wandered up to me and slid her arm inside mine.
“Hi, babe.” She said. “I know we said we wouldn’t say anything tonight with me having to work behind the bar, but I finished my shift now.”
I was frozen to the spot. It had come out of left field and I didn’t know what to say. Wouldn’t say anything about what?
Then she held her hand out to H. “Hi, I’m Lori. Aidan’s girlfriend. It’s lovely to meet you.”
My girlfriend? She was saying she was my girlfriend? I didn’t understand what was happening. I looked over at her, my mouth hanging open. Damn it, I wanted to ask her questions but I couldn’t in front of the other guys. So I was completely unprepared for what she did next.
She kissed me.
I’d had enough alcohol to dull common sense and my adrenaline was pumped high due to the success of the evening so when her lips hit mine, all thoughts of this not being real were off as far as my synapses were concerned. I wrapped my arms around her neck, pulled her in close and crushed her mouth to mine. The kiss lasted several minutes until I felt Lori slowly push me away and I heard a cough to my left. Eli.
“Well, as I was saying, time for me to go now. Thanks for a great evening. The business is going to be a phenomenal success if tonight is anything to go by.”
“Thank you.” I shook his hand and watched my friend’s retreating back.
H swayed at the side of me.
“You okay getting yourself home, babe? I need to get this drunkard home.”
H protested. “No, you take her home. Much better looking than me.”
“We’ll both take him.” Lori suggested.
So that’s what we did and when it came to getting H up the driveway of his home, I was glad I had an extra pair of hands.
“I’m so sorry,” Amelia apologized. “I told him he could enjoy a drink. Seems he took me at my word.”
“He stayed in the bar area all night. You have my word on that.” I told her.
“He’d not dare do anything else.” Amelia laughed and me and Lori both joined in.
Amelia looked at her husband’s wavering form as he staggered down the corridor.
“You want me to get him in bed?”
“No, you’re fine. He’ll make his way there and then no doubt pass out cold. Right, I’d better follow him. Nice to see you again, Aidan and…”
“I’m Lori, Aidan’s girlfriend. I work at the bar.” She replied.
Amelia looked at me for a second longer than necessary. “Well, it's great to me