Chapter 4
4
ZARA
“Dancing. What does it look like?” I counter in my sweetest voice.
He gets up in my face. “How much alcohol have you consumed?”
How much alcohol have you consumed? sounds out in my head, mocking him.
“Not enough to forget how annoying you are.” I glance at my table, and his gaze follows. “Why are you even here?”
Jobe grabs my wrist. “Apart from a business trip? I think you know why.”
I yank my arm from his grasp. “I’m having fun, happy as promised .”
His expression softens. “And I promised Penny I would check in on you and make sure you’re safe.”
I roll my eyes. “Please. Does it appear I’m in immediate danger? ”
I slide onto the chair, pick up my glass from the table, and down the remainder of the champagne.
“You never leave drinks unattended at a table,” he says bluntly.
“Ugh, my friends are nearby.”
He laughs once as though I’m clueless, and it grates on my nerves.
“Okay, let’s get you home.”
Before I object again, Oscar appears at the table. “Is everything all right?” he asks directly to me.
I nod. “Oscar, this is Jobe, my girlfriend’s annoying brother-in-law.” Oscar smiles at him and holds out his hand. “Oscar is a friend.”
“Who wasn’t here watching over your table.” Jobe shakes Oscar’s hand. “How long have you known Zara?”
“Well, mate, I met Zara here one night, and we’ve caught up several times since.”
“So not well enough to be friends.”
“Hey.” Oscar raises both his hands. “I’m only looking out for her. No offense, Americana, I like you, but you’re not my type.” Weirdly, my shoulders relax. “And neither are you,” he states matter-of-factly to Jobe.
I smile to myself. “Not many are.” Jobe gives me his best scowl, and I force down the smirk threatening to spread.
Oscar picks up his drink and downs the last of it. “He’s looking out for you, love. It’s not a bad thing.”
What?
Ugh. “I didn’t ask him to look out for me.”
“No, but Penny did, and I need to report back that you’re home safe after I found you in a bar, intoxicated, with no one we trust.”
“Back off, Jobe. I’m not a kid.” I push past him. “See you next time, Big O.”
Out on the cobbled street, I tighten my jacket around my chest. The nights are not as warm as back home this time of year. I inhale a deep breath to clear my head as I walk toward the main street.
“I’m doing what she asked,” Jobe says, now keeping in step. “Don’t kill the messenger.”
“Your message has been received. Now you’re free to leave.” I turn, ignoring him, and scan the streets for a taxi. When I don’t see any, I retrieve my cell to order an Uber. Jobe covers my screen with his hand.
“Please, Zara. I have a driver waiting. He’ll take you back to your hotel.”
“Fine. Then will you leave me alone?”
“If that’s what you want, then yes.”
“Finally,” I murmur.
I’m still mad that I never heard from him again after that night. Guess I’m really not his type. I’m too embarrassed to mention it, and since he has never said anything, it’s easier to pretend it never happened.
Jobe calls his driver, and a few minutes later, a black Mercedes pulls up beside us. Jobe opens the door, and I slide in. The driver doesn’t turn around even when I say, “Hi.”
“Where are we going?” Jobe asks.
I tell the driver my address. This time he acknowledges me in the rearview mirror with a simple nod.
We drive in silence for the few minutes it takes to arrive at my hotel, where Jobe slides out and holds the door open for me. “Thank you.” I offer him a slight smile.
“Do you want me to see you to your room?”
One thing I have learned is not to make the same mistake twice.
“Zara,” he prompts when I turn to walk away from him. “Penny is not the only reason I’m here. ”
“Why are you here?” I question sharply, looking back at him.
“Because I feel some responsibility for you being here alone.”
“Don’t. It’s what I wanted. I’m making friends, and it’s the adventure I craved.”
He runs his fingers through tousled, dark locks. “You left LA before I got a chance to say?—”
“You don’t need to say anything.”
Because you had a chance to before I left, yet you chose not to take it .
Jobe frowns, and I sense he wants to say more.
“Night, Jobe. Enjoy your time in London.”
The following day, I meet my friends at a bar in Notting Hill, and they order a round of beer. I’m in struggle town, shuddering after swallowing every mouthful. If I persevere, I’m going to puke. Admitting defeat, I order a gin and tonic.
The bartender hands it to me, and I almost jump over the bar when men shout behind me. “They’re just cheering, love,” the bartender explains. “You Americans love footy, right?”
“Yeah. We do.” But this is not football. It’s soccer. I head back to my friends, now standing in front of the screen. Scrap that. George is yelling at the screen.
“What happened?” I ask Piper. She’s probably my closest work friend, despite our obvious age difference. Our desks are next to each other in the office, and she’s forever offering me homemade muffins that she baked herself. It’s a simple kindness but so genuine it warms me.
“Umpire’s decision was questionable in George’s eyes,” she answers .
So, the game is similar to the NFL.
“Is this your team?” I ask because she barely cheers when another goal is scored.
She shrugs. “I’m here for the beer.” She drains the last mouthful, so I join her at the bar and order for both of us. “Thanks. Are you enjoying your new job? I mean, you’re with all of us, so how can you not.” She grins at me.
“True.” I smile. “Although it’s different, I’m adapting. Everyone is nice enough, and I’m not stressed, so that’s a bonus.”
She toys with her long, straight, blonde hair that is almost to her waist. “A nice way to say you’re bored.”
“Not bored.” Yet. My extra work in the evenings is enough to keep me engaged for now. “I’m adapting and learning company protocol. Though career progression should be on all our radars.”
“Not all. Some of us are working until we finish our degree.”
I stare blankly at her.
“We’re studying part-time. Work full-time to make ends meet.”
“Oh, I get it.” How old are you? I don’t come right out and ask . “Is George also studying? He looks like he’s around thirty.”
She choke-coughs. “He’s twenty-seven and acts twenty.”
“What about Anna?”
“Twenty-five.”
God, I’m ten years older than her.
“Anna and I are studying law at the same university, although she is a year ahead of me.”
It’s my turn to choke on my drink.
“Lydia is married with kids and is mid-thirties, or is it forty? She comes out with us once a month, if that.” She talks as though Lydia is old. Jesus, what the hell am I doing with my life?
My cell dings in my hand before I get a snap of my friends screaming at the screen. It’s Jobe, and I don’t know whether to be happy or not.
Do you want to meet for a drink tonight?
I should type, No .
I was hard on him last night. I should show some gratitude for helping me to break into a new career in another country. Not contacting me after that night meant I really did achieve it on my own without his assistance. It feels good to be in charge of the next chapter of my life, even if it means hanging out with these kids .
Sorry I was short with you last night. How long are you in London? I’m with work friends watching the game and might not make it back to my hotel in time.
Where?
Notting Hill. Maybe tomorrow night?
“Your boyfriend?” Piper assumes.
“Far from it.” I pop my cell in my bag. “My friend’s brother-in-law. He travels to London for business and checks in on me for her .”
Piper frowns. “Checks on you.”
“Yeah, like I haven’t been mugged, and I’m… I don’t know… not ruining my life somehow.”
“It’s rather odd.”
Tell me about it.
“My friend and I have been besties since elementary school, and she married her soulmate and recently had a baby. Which isn’t a life I want, but staying close to her was going to make me feel like being a childless woman is a fault rather than a choice.” I clear the lump from my throat. “I decided to do something fun with my life. I needed an adventure, only she wanted me to be part of her daughter’s life. I will be. Not now... I didn’t want to stay and regret not taking the chance to work abroad.”
“You made the right decision,” she says, eyes wide. “I’m going to take a gap year for a working holiday in Europe. Mainly Italy,” she draws out. “Better lovers, you know?”
I don’t know at all.
“I’m never getting married…” She trails off and frowns. I pivot on my bar stool to see what has caught her attention. It’s a guy wearing a suit. “Though, I could do him.”
What the…
Jobe scans the room. His eyes lock with mine, and it’s not his usual dark and broody look. There’s something else, and my stomach does a little flip.
He strides toward me. “Zara.”
“This is my dad, Jobe,” I tell Piper. Her eyes pop, and her gaze flicks from Jobe to me. “The one I was telling you about.”
“Ri-ight.” She turns to me. “Why are you complaining?” she whispers.
“You don’t know him.”
“If he wants me to, then…”
I cough to stop her saying anything else and introduce her. “Piper and I work together along with the rest of the team over there.” I point to my work friends, still gathered near the big screen.
“May I buy you a beer?” Piper asks in a sexy voice.
He frowns at her. “I. Er…” Jobe’s glaze flicks to mine, and I hide a smirk .
“Jobe has exquisite taste in booze. Best allow him to buy his own whiskey.”
The crowd erupts into cheers, the happy shouting so loud I barely hear what Jobe says.
Piper runs off to jump around with her friends to celebrate the win.
“I never understood this game,” Jobe scoffs.
“Same. But the celebrating part looks fun.”
Piper bounces back to us. “We’re heading to Soho. Want to come?” I glance at Jobe. “Both of you are welcome to join us,” she adds.
“It’s up to Zara. I can cancel the dinner reservation.” He eyes me as though he would prefer not to go.
“Count us in.”