The Spark - Jules Wake Page 0,58

doesn’t mean she has to act like the bitch queen of New Orleans.’

‘Don’t be mean, Jen. And that’s not the lyric.’

I frowned. ‘Isn’t it witch queen?’

Jen grinned. ‘I think you’re going to fit right in.’

By the time Sam finally came back with drinks, I was deep in conversation with them. ‘Here you go,’ he said, squeezing in next to me and handing me half a lager.

I glanced up and caught his warm, intimate smile and there might as well have been no one else in the room but us. Sandy freckles dusted his nose and fine white lines bled out from the crinkles around his eyes into his tanned face. I focused on the little details, trying to work out what it was about him that drew me to him as surely as a compass to due north. Leaning forward, he dropped a quick kiss on the corner of my mouth.

‘Thanks for coming tonight,’ he whispered.

‘They’re all lovely.’ And clearly a different crowd from Sam’s other friends.

‘They’re a good bunch.’ His curls bounced as he nodded. ‘I haven’t seen as much of them. You know, when you work with people all day, you don’t always want to socialise with them as well.’

I gave him a sceptical glance. Holly and I could spend hours together in or out of work, and I got the impression that these people were no different.

‘Happy Birthday, Jen.’ He lifted his glass in a toast.

Everyone lifted their glasses in unison.

‘Thanks Sam, and thanks for coming along. It’s nice to see you,’ said Jen. ‘I meant to ask, how are your mum and dad settling into their new house?’

‘Good,’ said Sam, shooting a quick conspiratorial glance at me. ‘Although they’ve been there for six months now.’

‘Really? It’s that long?’ Erin pursed her lips. ‘Just goes to show how long it is since you’ve been on a night out with us.’

‘I’m here now.’ He rolled his eyes.

‘Yes, you are.’ She patted his arm. ‘And it’s lovely to have you back.’ Her twinkly eyes flashed my way and I knew I’d just got a tacit seal of approval, and that her words held a wealth of alternative meaning, but for now I’d take the approval.

‘I think they like you,’ he whispered so that she could hear.

‘Your turn next week,’ I teased. ‘You have to face Bel, who is my oldest and bestest friend. She might not give you such an easy ride.’

I only felt a touch guilty when worry filled his face. Seeing Bel and Dan was going to be plain sailing. At least I was pretty sure it was.

Chapter Seventeen

Bel looked up and waved across the pub, her face breaking into a sunny smile. It was Bel, for goodness’ sake, my oldest friend, so the wobbles in my knees could just piss off. Sam, as ever attuned, picked up on my unexpected and ridiculous nerves.

‘Worried I’ll show you up?’ he teased.

‘No, I just really want her … them to like you.’

‘Most people do, usually.’ There was a shadow underlying his confident grin.

I tucked my arm through his and led him towards the table in the conservatory area where Bel and Dan sat. This was the first time I’d officially introduced him to anyone. He’d already met the other important people in my life; Bel had been away for a few weeks and I’d been putting mum off for as long as possible, more because I didn’t want to put Sam off.

‘Hey, Jess.’ Bel bounced to her feet and beamed at me and threw her arms around me in a big hug, reminding me exactly why she was one of my favourite people. ‘And you must be the famous Sam. We’ve heard lots about you, but don’t worry, it was all good.’

‘Phew, that’s a relief then,’ said Sam, holding out his hand to Dan. ‘Sam Weaverham.’

‘Dan Hamilton. Nice to meet you.’ He shot a cheeky look my way. ‘Bit of a relief. You look relatively normal. Bel and I thought Jess was going to turn into an old spinster. Her strike rate on dating hasn’t been great.’

‘Thanks, Dan, why don’t you tell Sam that I’m a bit of a loser.’

‘Dan!’ said Bel, her voice pitching in mock outrage, before adding in a voice brimming with laughter, ‘The party line is she’s just a bit picky.’

Dan slapped his forehead, grinning with mischief. ‘Aw, I forgot.’

‘You two are awful. You’re supposed to be my friends.’ I shook my head at Sam. ‘Ignore them. I’ve known Bel for ever, since pre-school, so