Plus One is a Lucky Number

“Shall we go to the beach tomorrow morning?” Cassie said, intruding drunkenly into their conversation, nestling between Sophie and Natalie.

“Uh, I don’t know … ”

“Go on, Soph. It’ll be a laugh. We’ll all go. Smarmy Simon did suggest it and you can show him what a fool he was to let you go – you know, drape yourself over Adam in your very best bikini.” She grinned at Sophie, then hiccupped.

“I didn’t bring one.” Compulsive liar, now.

“You can borrow one of mine.”

Sophie swallowed. Cassie’s idea of a bikini was three triangles and bits of string, or the equivalent thereof – and she had the boobs to fill them.

“Sounds like a great idea! We can kill a couple of hours, top up our tans and play volley ball,” Natalie said.

Sophie could have slapped Natalie – metaphorically of course.

Get out of this one, Batman.

She’d feel more comfortable on the beach in a bikini if Adam wasn’t there. She secretly prayed for rain tomorrow morning. Note to self: wake up early and do rain dance. As long as sunshine arrived for Saturday, Sophie would be guilt free.

“Agreed. So, are you two dancing or what?” Cassie bellowed over the loud music that suddenly seemed to get louder. “You’d better not be daydreaming about lover-boy.”

Sophie laughed, shaking her head.

“Come on, this is my favourite song. Let's dance.” Cassie pulled her from the stool, grabbing Natalie with her other arm and any other friends on her way. “I’ve seen a TDH on the dance floor.” Sophie and Natalie looked at each other, frowning. “Tall, dark and handsome. Come on, then we can hit the tequila!”

Oh, bloody hell.

***

“Simon says, another beer!”

Gareth shook his head slowly.

“Gareth, don’t be such a lightweight,” Simon slurred. “It’s Simon Says, remember?”

Gareth looked tired and unsteady on his feet, the bar supporting him. Adam had been doing him a favour most of the night, hiding the copious number of pints Simon had tried to feed him.

“He’s had enough. We don’t need him in hospital for alcohol poisoning two nights before his wedding,” Adam said, trying to make a joke about it. But it wasn’t working. Gareth sat on one side of him at the bar and Simon stood on the other. Only the three of them now. The fathers of the bridal couple had long since retired. They'd come out for a few and then headed back to the hotel. Various friends of Simon’s and Gareth's had also been and gone.

“Ah, he'll be all right,” Simon said, elbows resting on the bar. “Simon says, another!”

Adam held up his pint glass and shook his head. “No, I'm fine.”

“Lightweight,” Simon muttered, catching the attention of the barman and holding his glass up to him, nodding.

“So, how'd you meet Sophie?” he asked, turning to Adam.

Adam swallowed his mouthful of Cornish ale before answering. He’d been waiting for this question all evening. “We met at an office party.”

“Yeah? What do you do?”

“I’m an account manager.” That’s all Simon needed to know as far as Adam was concerned.

Simon nodded, as if he knew what that meant. Adam tried not to smirk.

“You know we were once an item, don’t you?” Simon smiled arrogantly and Adam badly wanted to wipe the grin off his face.

“Yes, so she said.” Adam met Simon’s eyes. Simon was probably too drunk to realise Adam was watching for a reaction, not intimidated by him. But Simon seemed confident, continuing to talk about her, like he knew her better than anyone. He did know her better than Adam – but that would change by the end of this weekend.

“Yeah, she’s a smart girl.” Simon nodded as he said the words. “Smart girl. Shame I didn’t realise it back then.” The barman handed Simon another pint of ale. “But things got too heavy. Talking about marriage, kids, that sort of thing.” Adam kept his surprise in check. “But we were younger then. It's different now.” Simon slapped Adam on the back. “You got a great girl there, Adam. Hold on to her.”

She’s a woman. A beautiful woman.

Adam nodded, keeping his eyes fixed on Simon. “I intend to.”

Especially if it’s the only way to keep your hands off her.

As he took a sip from his beer, Adam glanced at the entrance to the wine bar, noticing two women come in. Straight away, Simon headed over in their direction and started chatting them up, encouraging them to join him. Simon wasn’t ugly and he knew it, so it wasn’t long before the two women were at the bar with him. Simon had his arm draped over one girl’s shoulder, the other encouraged to stand beside Gareth. She gave Adam a flirtatious glance, but he kept his cool. Not interested.

Simon nudged Adam. “Now the fun begins.”

The woman made her move on Gareth. Flirting, playing with his tie, hair, ears.

Adam didn’t pick up girls for the night any more. Yes, it was usually how it started, getting chatted up, but he liked to at least get a number, take them to dinner – a date. His relationships were short, but not that short. Gareth certainly wasn’t interested – he was batting the woman off as if swatting flies.

“Look, lady, you’re nice and all, but I’m not interested.” Gareth stood up from the bar, walking away, escaping the woman. “I’m getting married Saturday.” Angered and flustered, he paced the bar, then pointed at Simon. “If this was your idea –”

“Oh, come on, Gareth. Make the most of your freedom before they lock the ball and chain around your ankle for good. Simon says –”

“I don’t give a monkeys what Simon says! I told you.” Gareth lunged; Adam instantly reacted, stopping him from shoving Simon.

“Hey, hey, come on.” Adam stood between the two men, watching Gareth, but with Simon in view as well.

“Gareth, lighten up, it‘s a bit of fun.”

“Simon, why don‘t you drop it,” Adam said, turning towards him, trying to control his own anger. Gareth needed him to keep his cool. “Gareth obviously isn't interested.”

“Why don't you sod off out of it, Adam?”

“No. You sod off,” Gareth said, moving out of Adam’s grasp and shoving Simon. “I’m sick of Simon says.” Adam grabbed Gareth’s arm and pulled him back, putting an arm around his shoulder. The drink was talking for these two. Simon held his hands up, unfazed by his friends attempt to attack and shook his head, smirking.

“Why don’t we head back to the hotel?” Adam patted Gareth on the back and led him towards the door. “The ladies should be getting back soon, too.” He raised his eyebrows at Simon, a subtle warning to let them pass. Simon stood aside, still drinking his pint.

“Hey, if you two lightweights don’t mind, I’m going to hang about here.”

***

“Cigar?” Adam took a cigar out of his inside pocket and offered it to Gareth as they walked along the narrow road towards the hotel. Simon had handed them out earlier and now he was glad he’d held onto the two he’d taken. Adam only smoked the occasional cigar, normally amongst clients, but now seemed a good time.