Free No Ordinary Bloke by Mary Whitney Page A

earth did you get a reservation?”
    “I told you I would handle it.”
    She wrinkled her nose. “Did you ask Trey to get you a reservation?”
    “Good God no.” I sneered in complete offense. “Absolutely fucking not. I don’t need him just to get a table at a—”
    “Okay. I’m sorry for asking. I’m just really surprised. I didn’t realize you were that connected in New York.”
    Her apology didn’t even register with me because I was too busy fuming. “As if I would ever ask him to—”
    “David, please. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
    I shook my head. “Really…how could you even—”
    “David.” She placed her hand on my arm and gently stroked it. “Calm down.”
    Her green eyes searched for mine, and I soon became distracted by them. “Okay. I’ll calm down.”
    “Thank you.” She smiled. “Now let’s go to lunch and you tell me how you did the impossible, and I’ll be impressed.”
    We began walking again, and I said, “I don’t need to tell you. You’ll see for yourself. And you shouldn’t really be impressed.”
    “Why not?”
    “You’ll see.”
    When we walked into Lark there was a small crowd of people, who most likely all had reservations, yet they still had to wait for their table to be ready. I led Allison toward the maître d' stand, expecting to give my name to the hostess standing there and then wait for my table. Right after I said, “David Bates”, I heard Angus mutter from behind, “Cockney arsehole with two left feet is more like it.”
    “You’re the fucking crappy player,” I said, turning to him. We both smiled and gave each other a hug. Afterward, I gestured to Allison. “Angus Fletcher. Please meet Allison Wright.”
    Angus extended his hand and grinned. “Pleasure to meet you Allison. I’m sorry you have to eat lunch with this wanker. If you wait just a wee bit, I can get you a table by yourself.”
    I pretended I was going to slug him in the arm, and Allison laughed. “So you two know each other well.”
    “Too well,” I said.
    “Exactly my thoughts,” said Angus. He patted both of our arms. “Let me take you to your table.”
    After Angus seated us, Allison waited for him to leave before she said, “I can’t believe you know him.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because everyone wants to know him.”
    “We play football together. Have for years.”
    “His accent is really thick when he talks to you compared to when I’ve heard him talk to Trey.”
    I shrugged. “We’re friends.”
    She looked across the room to where Angus stood chatting up an older woman and her friend. “He’s not the tallest or best looking guy, but there’s something about him. And there’s the accent. Half the women I know want to sleep with him.”
    “I’d venture he’s slept with half the women you know.”
    With both of us staring at Angus, we were in the perfect position to see old Trey walk in with Melanie. They were both all smiles until they saw Allison and me. If that wasn’t a sign Trey was bonking Melanie, I couldn’t tell you what was.
    Allison became a little nervous herself. “I see Trey.”
    “Indeed. It looks like he’s coming over.”
    Within seconds, Trey was slapping me on the back. “How the hell did you get in?”
    “Angus and I are friends.” I caught a glimpse of Melanie’s blank smile.
    “Angus is a great guy. Do you know each other from back home?”
    “Uh. No.” Glasgow and London aren’t exactly nearby, you twat.
    Trey snickered before he turned to Allison. “Allison, it’s your lucky day.”
    “It is,” she said, trying to smile.
    Poor thing. I realized all three of them were miserable for one reason or another, but I was happy. I decided to end everyone’s misery and start my date with Allison. I looked up at Trey. “Thanks for the idea, Trey. I appreciate it. And thanks for a good meeting today.”
    Trey snapped his finger and then pointed to me like he was a fucking used car salesman. “That was a good