The Unlikely Couple [COMPLETED]

Chapter Twelve

I walked up the street, looking at the cars zooming down the roads. Lindsey had so thoughtfully picked a restaurant close to the apartment. I’d only been there once, but it was Spanish food at its best.

“Finally,” she greeted me outside.

“Sorry, I dropped some stuff off.” And changed into something more relaxing. I had to wash off today’s disaster as well.

“You sounded weird on the phone. Bad day?” The hostess led us to an elegant booth, with a steel bull head poking out of the wall.

“It was horrendous.” We ordered red wine, waiting patiently for it to arrive. As soon as it came I got into it. “Either Fera is a dirty liar or Jeslen is a dirty whore.”

“Uh, alright.” I explained the situation to an intrigued Lindsey. Her brows rose extremely high as I went on.

“Hilda was kind enough to give us tomorrow to talk. After that I’ll give her the rest of the week.” I may as well get it done before my birthday. “Jeslen was reluctant, but she said anything to help.”

“It wouldn’t surprise me if that was true.” Lindsey sipped, attempting to avoid sculling the wine.

“I can’t get my head around it. It was so sudden.”

“Maybe Fera is full of shit.”

“The tension is going to be through the roof. They haven’t seen each other in five years, and the last time they did fists were thrown.” I rubbed my eyes hard.

“Really?” She choked on the liquid.

“Yeah, Fera spared no details.” Unfortunately.

“Why don’t you take Hal?” The first plates of food arrived. I took an appetising chorizo sausage and chewed on it.

“Why would I?”

“He could help.” I waited for her to continue. “You’re going for a lunch meeting with two women who would stab each other if they had the chance. You need something to cut through that tension.”

“And you think Hal is the solution?” I eyed my sister, who shoved sausage in her full mouth.

“Absolutely. One, he’s a funny guy. He can help everyone relax. Two, he’s apparently your boyfriend now and that’s the kind of thing you do. Ryan takes me to conventions, and I invite him to dinners.”

“But people expect you to bring someone to those kind of events.” It’s like a social requirement.

“So? Mix it up a bit.” She reached for some grilled vegetables. “Speaking of Hal, there he is.” I turned instantly, spotting a tall figure striding toward us.

“Ladies.” He smiled, still in the suit from this morning.

“How’d you know where we were?” I blurted rudely.

“Lindsey invited me.” Hal slid beside me, taking a swig of my wine.

“I forgot to tell you.” Lindsey grinned cheekily. “Hal, how would you like to join Stacey for a business lunch?”

“Where is it?” He turned to me, placing an arm around my waist.

“You know that Italian restaurant at the casino?”

“The one that overlooks the Yarra?” He snatched the last sausage.

“Yeah. There at eleven-thirty.” I love going to the casino, not for the food or gambling though. Below the slot machines and restaurants was a large game area that was bustling with kids. I loved taking Elisa and Evie, but most of all I enjoyed watching their jaws drop as I collected hundreds of tickets in two minutes.