ALONE AT LAST

Chapter 9

It took me a few minutes to regain my composure. I folded a piece of toilet paper and carefully wiped under my eyes, sure that the running mascara had wreaked havoc.

It took a bit of water and some gentle scrubbing to get rid of the bulk of my ruined makeup. I reapplied the mascara, put on some lipstick and slapped my cheeks a few times to bring some of the colour back. Despite my slightly swollen eyes and reddish nose, I was sure I would be able to rejoin the group without arousing too much suspicion.

I emerged from the ladies room and started making my way past the pool tables that dominated the back of the pub. As I waded through the congested area I found myself having to step to the side in order to avoid the back of someone's pool cue.

While I waited for him to take his shot, I idly glanced over the pool table and then over to the figure leaning on the opposite wall. My eyes made their way up his lean body, and I suddenly found myself looking straight into Sebastian's dark eyes, as he watched me with an unnerving intensity.

The jolt of recognition was palpable and I stood frozen for a second with our eyes connected over the dingy pool table. One corner of his mouth lifted in an infuriatingly beautiful smile. I stood, transfixed by his proximity, and this connection that felt strangely intimate despite the bustling that surrounded us.

"Excuse me, hun." Some guy had his pool cue half raised and was obviously waiting for me to move further along the wall so he could take his shot.

"Of course! Sorry!" I mumbled, awkwardly scrambling out of his way and moving along the wall.

It only took that single moment for my insecurities to kick in, full force. I was sure my nose and eyes must look monstrously red in this dim light. Here I was, alone and awkward, standing in the way of the people trying to play a game of pool. And to top it off, I was making eyes at the most attractive man in the whole pub, while I probably looked like a blubbering wreck.

I looked down, moving quickly past the pool tables and towards the main area of the pub. As I walked away, I couldn't help glancing back towards him one last time. His eyes were still following me, and his infuriating smirk taunted me as I hurried away, back to my safety net on the opposite side of the room.

I slipped between two ladies, who had become distinctly boisterous with what appeared to be their third glass of prosecco, and sidled up next to Ava. I grabbed her arm to pull her to the side so that I could unburden my spinning head and burning cheeks.

"Guess who's here." I told her, unable to mask my discomfort and reluctant excitement.

"Oh, gosh. Is it your mother?" She asked playfully, obviously not catching my tone.

I opened my mouth to respond, but didn't get the chance.

Her eyebrows shot up. "My mother?" she asked, with mock solemnity.

I closed my mouth again, biding my time as I reluctantly allowed her to exercise her humor.

"It's Mr Grundy from physical education class, and he's arrived in his short shorts!" She guessed with a high pitched squeal of disgust.

"Oh come off it Ava." I sighed with an exaggerated eye roll. "Let me get a word in edgewise, why don't you?"

"Well spit it out then." She giggled. Definitely tipsy, I noted wryly.

"It's Sebastian." I mumbled, mortified that a single glance from him in my direction had me running off to share the big news.

"Did you say hi?" She asked, doubtfully.

"Nope."

"You ignored him?" She seemed insultingly sure she was right on this count.

"Well I just saw him from across the room. We both ignored each other I suppose." I mumbled.