Love Me Till Wednesday (Sapphire Stars #1)

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Where should she start? Lisa had decided during Act 2 that she needed to be completely honest with Nick. If she’d done that on Thursday evening, she wouldn’t be risking losing him now. ‘How much do you want to know?’

‘I take it Pete is the guy you recently broke up with?’

‘Yes, except he didn’t know that until Friday morning.’

Nick looked less than impressed.

Not off to a good start, Lisa. ‘Hear me out. Please.’

A couple who'd been at the bar moved to the neighbouring table. The woman looked like she was about to approach them.

‘I think we could do with a walk, don’t you?’ Nick got up.

‘That suits me.’ It was so much easier to talk when they were walking.

‘Dominic! There you are.’

The whole pub turned in the direction of the commanding voice. Catriona marched into the bar area as if she were making a grand entrance on stage rather than walking into an everyday boozer.

She headed determinedly towards Nick. ‘Darling, I thought we were going for a drink. ’

‘Were we?’ Nick began helping Lisa to put on her jacket. ‘Sorry, I didn’t realise.’ He left his hand resting on Lisa’s shoulder. ‘This is my girlfriend, Lisa.’

Girlfriend ? Lisa tried to hide her surprise and smiled at Catriona. In her normal clothes and makeup, the actress looked stylish and at least ten years younger than she had on stage earlier. ‘Pleased to meet you,’ Lisa said, trying to keep her tone light and breezy.

Catriona forced a brief smile in Lisa’s direction, then turned her full attention back to Nick. ‘Perhaps, tomorrow then, darling.’ She kissed him, lingering a little too long for a casual peck on the cheek.

Nick looked flustered. ‘See you,’ he said, grabbing Lisa’s hand and leading her quickly outside without looking back.

Lisa had so many questions she wasn’t sure where to start. The safest one seemed to be, ‘Your name’s Dominic?’

‘It's the name my parents gave me. I prefer Nick. It sounds more - I don’t know - fitting for someone who grew up on a council estate.’

‘What was that all about in there? Is something going on between you and Catriona?’

He looked uncomfortable. ‘She'd like there to be. Let's say the audition was interesting.’

‘Not tempted then? I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt your career.’

He let out a laugh, but his expression remained serious. ‘I’m sure sleeping with your manager wouldn’t hurt your career either, but you’ve got too much respect for yourself to do that. Do you think I’m more desperate?’

‘Sorry, that was thoughtless.’ Lisa stopped walking and turned to Nick. ‘I shouldn’t have said that.’

He nodded. ‘She's got a reputation for having flings with her younger co-stars, and I don't want to be anyone’s casual entertainment for the summer.’ He stared pointedly at Lisa, then started walking again. ‘Look, thanks for playing along. I guess we’re even now. And you've managed to change the subject.’ He gave her a half smile this time, which almost reached his eyes.

They were approaching a cinema. A stream of people was spilling out onto the pavement. Lisa didn’t want to talk about Pete where they could be overheard. ’My flat’s a couple of streets away. Can we talk there?’

Nick looked uncomfortable.

‘I’m not suggesting anything else,’ she reassured him.

‘Lisa, I …’ He hesitated, then he managed to conjure up confident Nick again. ‘I felt there was a real connection between us the other night. If you don’t feel the same way, just tell me. I don't want to be messed around.’

So she hadn't imagined it. ‘I thought the same. And I don't want to mess you around. I promise.’ She leaned towards him and gently kissed his cheek. He moved his head so his lips were on hers. She’d wondered if she’d imagined how good that kiss in the cinema had been, but this one was even better. She wanted to melt into his arms.

‘Which way’s your flat?’ he whispered.