The Game of Love

6

Dear God, dear God, dear God, dear God.

Jade's mind kept repeating as Adrian walked towards their table. What was he doing here? And why did her mother have to motion him over? This was not good.

"Good afternoon ladies."

At least he was laying his charm on thickly, Jade thought. That would be a plus.

"I'm sorry I know all of Jade's friends but your face just doesn't ring a bell?"

Jade gulped down her glass of water as if it could quench the nerves rising in her stomach.

"I'm Adrian, a recent friend."

He stuck his hand out towards her mother but she only looked at it, Jewel stepped in and placed her hand in his.

Thank God, Jade breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm Jewel, Jade's older sister, nice to meet you. Have a seat."

She sent death glares in Jewel's direction. She was not supposed to invite him to sit. She needed more water.

She raised her glass to the waitress who came speedily with a pitcher of water, refilling the glass.

"Thank you."

"Adrian I didn't catch your last name?"

Because he did not say it, Jade wanted to tell her mother but she kept her lips shut, her eyes now focusing on Adrian.

Why was he here?

He was dressed in a white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his arms, giving a clear view of his bulging biceps. The black trousers that the shirt was tucked into was a first for the man, Jade thought.

He cleaned up pretty well, she thought. Maybe they could pull this off without it getting ugly.

"I don't think I mentioned my last name but it's Thomas."

Jade's fingers tightened around the glass, why did he do that? She could see her mother raking her brain, trying to find a family to place him into.

"Is your mother Shiela Thomas?"

Adrian's head shook.

"No mam."

Jade's eyes pleaded with her sister to change the conversation.

"So Adrian, what do you do for a living?"

Her eyes widened, her sister did not save her, she sunk her.

"No."

Three pairs of eyes found Jade as she plastered a smile on her face.

"No bread. Why isn't there bread on the table? Isn't it customary? Mom you should take that up with the waitress."

Her mother's eyes cut into slits at her and Jade knew that look all too well. She gulped.

"Jade I taught you better, it's impolite to interrupt a conversation with such nonsense. Adrian you can go ahead."

His eyes found hers and Jade tried to communicate with him to not answer but instead he only smiled.

"I'm a barber. I actually own my own barbershop."

Jade could see the scowl plastered on her mother's lips as Jewel began to drink her own glass of water.

"And what is your relationship with my daughter?"

Oh dear God, earth open and swallow her up now, Jade thought.

"Jade and I are friends for now."

"For now?"