WE SHOULD STOP NOW

PART 5 - THE GIRL IN THE GREEN DRESS

JOANIE

I'd only agreed to go on this blind date that Jean had set me up on because I was sick of being ganged up on by her and my mum about my non existent love life. I figured if I did this one date they'd finally stop hounding me to find a man.

I just wasn't ready.

It had been over three years since I'd cut and run from college in the middle of the night in my banged up rust bucket of a car to get away from my ex. I didn't need a man! I'd rebuilt my life and started over. I was no longer that shallow and naive girl that I once was that flirted with every athlete she met and thought she'd get by on her looks. I had my little bakery, I'd built that business up from scratch even refusing Jean's help when she offered me a business loan. Instead I saved up every penny I could from waiting on tables and serving drinks to finally land a bank loan so I could get my Bakery and the apartment above it. Neither were perfect and both were small, but they were mine and everything these days were on my terms. I needed no one, dating was a complication I just didn't have time for.

However my mother and Jean were persistent nags. They thought I worked too much and should settle down with a nice guy the town we lived in that could look after me and give me lots of babies. My mum knew better to push me on why i'd left college so abruptly, but that didn't stop her constantly trying to hook me up with literally any single guy she met that was under thirty years old. Considering both these women had failed marriages and fucking awful husbands I was kind of surprised on their stance to get me married off so desperately.

Jean had told me that my date was intelligent, handsome and a true gentleman.

Miles Stone was non of these things.

As soon as my date screeched to a halt to pick me up in his flashy canary yellow Mercedes I knew this was going to be bad idea.

Miles had dropped me off at the bar of the Charity Ball whilst he went to say hello to his father. I was glad for the breather as he'd talked non stop about himself since I'd gotten into his car. I fully took advantage of being away from him to knock back two large whiskey sodas before I felt his annoying hand slither down my back to get my attention. It took all my strength not to shudder at his touch, so I plastered a fake smile on my face and spun around in my chair.

Fuck, me!

Caleb Maverick was dressed like he'd just walked off a catalogue shoot. He's effortlessly good looking on a normal day, but seeing him in his black tie and suit nearly knocks me off my stool.

"Caleb?" I say with surprise.

"Joanie!" he whispers. His jaw clenches as he looks between Miles and me now standing together. The look on his face says everything, he isn't happy to see me. I bet he thinks I'm after one of his rich fancy friends for their money. Nothing but a gold digger. That toxic thought makes me want to scream and run from the room but I'm transfixed by Caleb's eyes that are boring into me so intently that I feel my face flush with heat.

"You two know each other?" Miles interrupts our stare off whilst he slides an arm possessively around my waist to jolt me closer to him which make me gasp a little. Caleb's light blue eyes follow Miles's hands on me and he doesn't even pretend not to look disgusted.

"Caleb and I are...umm," I stumble on the words, having this guys arm around me just doesn't feel good.

"My brothers are married to her sisters," Caleb grits out.

"Oh, so you're like family, she's like your sister right?" The red head who i'd not even noticed till now squeals. How could I have not of noticed her before, she's the epitome of wealth, glamour and beauty. Of course she's draped on Caleb's arm. She's stunning! Wait, is that the bitch who got a free cupcake this week!