Free Rich Promise by Ashe Barker Page A

of park. Next to gift shop.
     
    See you in a few mins.
     
    I shove my phone in my bag and pick up the pace.
    Dan’s waiting at the entrance to the restaurant. It’s an attractive place, a mix of decking with views over the giraffe and rhino enclosure and indoor seating. It’s chilly, so we opt for indoors. Dan leads the way to a corner table close to the large picture windows. We’re overlooking a field which is home to a troop of baboons. There are maybe twenty of them, assorted sizes, all piled on a huge rock and watching us through the glass. I’m not entirely sure who is the exhibit here.
    “How’s the jackal?”
    “Hyena. And he’s okay. He’ll need to be kept apart from the others until his stitches are out, but he’ll be fine.”
    “Does that happen a lot? Fights, I mean.”
    He shakes his head. “No, not really. Bitches on heat cause most tension.” He grins. “Like with humans.”
    I bristle. “I admit I’m easily aroused. But that doesn’t make me a bitch on heat.”
    “Sorry, love. A vet joke. In poor taste. Forgive me.”
    Now he has me. I expected some sort of mockery, maybe to be the butt of more teasing. His genuinely repentant expression was the last thing I thought I’d have to contend with. Did I overreact? My nerves are so frayed, I really wouldn’t know.
    “Of course I forgive you. I love you. I’m just a bit touchy.”
    “Okay. Is something wrong, Summer?”
    “Why would you say that?” I pick up the menu and make heavy work of studying the choices, using the menu to shield my face from his gaze. So much for Lucy being a poor liar—I’m pretty crap myself. Dan is silent for several moments, but I can feel his eyes, watching the top of my head, the only part of me visible.
    “The beef stew is good. Shall I order that for both of us?”
    “I fancy a sandwich.” I continue to stare at the menu, seeing nothing.
    “Since when, Summer? Put that down and look at me.”
    “I’m just…”
    “Now.” He has no need to raise his voice. It’s enough that he can just switch on that uncompromising Dom timbre that will have me melting into a puddle at his feet.
    Even now, despite my whirling thoughts and confusion, he cuts through the lot with just one word. I lower the menu to the tabletop and meet his eyes.
    “I’m thinking the visit home didn’t go well?” His eyebrow is raised. He’s waiting for me to elaborate.
    I chew my bottom lip. Could I? Should I? I open my mouth to speak, still not certain what’s going to come out.
    “No. We argued. Me and my mum.” There. The lies have started. So much for the promises I made only yesterday. Operation cover up starts here.
    “I see. What about?” Dan’s tone is low, calm. But he seems to believe me. So far.
    I shake my head briefly. “Nothing. Well, not nothing. Family stuff. We always argue. It’ll pass.”
    “It’s obviously upset you. Do you want to go back, maybe sort it out?”
    “No! Well, not today anyway. I’ll phone my mum next week, when we’ve both calmed down. That’s usually how we deal with stuff.” Piling the lies up, I really should stop soon. I pray silently that he’ll drop it.
    “I see. But before today, how long since you spoke to her on the phone?” No such luck.
    “A while. Too long.” That’s true at least.
    “How are your sisters? Did you see them?”
    “Yes.” I redden, my cheeks starting to flame. “They’re fine.” That’s also true, as far as I know.
    Dan says nothing. He just watches me, waiting. I sit before him, in silence, withering under his scrutiny. His eyes narrow, his forehead furrowing slightly. I shift in my seat, my bottom tingling. That look, I know that look.
    “Beef stew then. Chips or jacket potato?
    “What? What did you…?”
    “What do you want to eat, Summer?” He stands, his expression unreadable now. Whatever that was just then, the moment has passed. I relax, and sag in my seat.
    “Oh, right. Yes, the stew. Jacket potato please.”
    His nod is curt