Plus One is a Lucky Number

“Right, come on, girls, taxi’s outside,” Cassie said. “Time to leave, otherwise the others will wonder where the hell we are.”

“Will you be okay?” Sophie whispered to Adam.

“Of course,” Adam replied. ““I’ll wait in the atrium for you later. Enjoy yourself, sweetheart.” A sly smile spread across his lips as he spoke the word ‘sweetheart’. No one else would have spotted it but Sophie, who playfully narrowed her eyes.

“You’ll be back before me, will you?”

“More than likely. You’re out with Cassie and I can’t see her coming home early.”

Sophie giggled. She hesitated, staying within his hold. This is where you would ordinarily kiss him goodbye. She moved towards him to plant a kiss, a peck on his cheek, but he moved, making sure her lips met his.

They hadn’t discussed kissing! Why hadn’t they discussed kissing?

If hot with nerves before, she was on fire now. His soft but determined, warm lips pressed against hers. The heat rose in her cheeks.

He held her close and moved his lips to her ear. “Don’t give the game away – always on the mouth.” Again, he could have been whispering sweet nothings. His warm breath on her neck sent an electric pulse of pleasure down her spine. How was she going to last a weekend with him and not make a fool of herself?

He brushed her hair back gently with his fingers and then let her go. She looked him in the eye, giving him a smile.

Was it normal to want to kiss him again?

“I’ll see you later,” she said, hesitating.

“Come on, love birds!” Cassie grabbed Sophie by the arm, and pulled her away from Adam. “Adam, I promise I’ll bring her back in one piece.” She chuckled mischievously. “One drunken piece.”

Adam smiled at Cassie, shaking his head. Simon approached Sophie and Cassie, his back to Adam and the other men, putting an arm around each of their waists. He let go of Cassie, but kept hold of Sophie.

“Don’t worry, Sophie, I’ll keep Adam out of mischief. You can trust me.”

Trust?

There, again, his hand on her bum! She glared at him, releasing his grip, stepping away, closer to Cassie. She glanced at Adam. Could he see?

Worried her expression showed her anger, she faked a smile and waved at Adam, then linked an arm through Cassie’s and Natalie’s.

It felt alien to have Simon anywhere near her, dragging up old feelings, torturing her all over again. Simon would never be forgiven.

***

Adam watched the women leave the hotel, giggling and talking. He disliked how Simon had wrapped his arm around Sophie like he had some privilege. It didn’t take a psychologist to work out Sophie didn’t like it – he’d observed her irritated reaction to Simon.

Simon clapped his hands then, rubbing his palms together, walked towards the group of men. “Right, gentlemen, I’ve got the perfect place for us to start off the night.”

“Simon, a quiet night was the plan,” Gareth said, frowning.

“Nah, what’s the fun in that?” Simon replied, grinning, revealing perfect teeth.

Teeth Adam could quite easily break. He was only just getting to know Sophie, but already he had this primeval instinct to protect her against this man. Simon had to be the reason why Sophie wanted to cancel on this weekend.

“Don’t fret, Gareth. We’re staying in the town, wouldn’t want to bump into the girls,” Simon continued. “But this is one of your last night’s of freedom. You need to let your hair down, mate.”

Gareth wasn’t happy. Adam had his own impression of Simon forming now, and it wasn’t a good one. It was a gut feeling, but he could be wrong. Sophie hadn’t reacted to Simon by flying off the handle, so it was best to play along. To be the perfect boyfriend.

Chapter Five

The music drummed loudly in the packed club. The rammed dance floor bobbed like a choppy sea, dark silhouettes moving against the multi-coloured lights.

Sophie watched from the table, perched on a stool and swayed to the music, sipping her drink. She used to love dancing, but now she feared the hassle of it. A girl couldn’t just get lost on the dance floor. It was practically a cattle market, with men watching the women like farmers picking a prized cow. She didn’t fancy that bit any more. Yes, she would probably meet a nice enough guy, eventually, but how many others would she have to waste her time on before she found him? How many might hurt her?

However, if she’d conquered the fear, gone out more, rather than just down the White Lion on a Friday evening, she wouldn’t have needed Adam here this weekend to hold her hand.

“So, come on, spill the beans - where’d you find him, Soph?” Cassie said loudly, leaning against the tall table they’d all circled around. Natalie sat next to Sophie, grinning, waiting patiently to hear her gossip. Cassie sipped her wine, then turned back to another girl, nudging her. “Sophie’s got one hell of a man. Drop. Dead. Gorgeous.”

“Cass, please.” Sophie fought the urge to tell her friend the truth. After the wedding, in a month or so, she could admit it, if she had to.

“Come on, where did you meet him?”

“At work – we were both at some guy's retirement party and hit it off.” Sophie took a sip of her own wine. She wanted to gulp it down, but knew she needed to keep her head straight. She hated lying to her friend, a good friend whom she wouldn't normally keep secrets from. But if she confided, and the lie got out, she’d look more of an idiot. So would Adam. It was best kept between her and Adam.

“You hold on to him, girl.”

“Yeah, he’s a good one,” Natalie said, raising her glass.

“I intend to,” Sophie replied, swallowing the lie as she swallowed more of her wine. Although somewhere lurking in the back of her mind, a small voice wished she could keep Adam. That kiss had really been no more than a peck, like lovers kissed, but she could still feel the pressure of his lips against hers and hoped she’d feel it again. More than likely she would. Lovers had to kiss, right?

But they hadn’t discussed kissing – she hadn’t even thought about it. She hadn’t been kissed in a while and she hoped it didn’t show. Adam had said ‘experienced’ in the car, and she doubted he was only talking about his job. A man like Adam knew how to make a woman tremble at the knees just by smiling at her.

Sophie's mind wandered back to Simon and his display in the bar earlier. Seeing Simon again had put her head in a spin and brought back memories, as she'd feared. Some good, but mostly bad. After all this time she still found it hard to face him. Had he brushed past her accidentally or deliberately? When they’d been about to leave, that had been most definitely deliberate.

Had Adam noticed Simon's hand on her backside? She'd wanted to say something to Simon right then, but knew it wouldn't be good to make a scene. This was Gareth and Natalie’s weekend. But what was he playing at? It had been over four years since she’d seen him. She’d been successful in avoiding him, thanks to her parents insisting on visiting her, rather than Sophie coming home.

Was he jealous and trying therefore to make Adam jealous? Sophie resisted laughing to herself. Adam wasn't going to get jealous - but would he act that way for her, for this weekend’s performance?

But then jealousy wasn’t a quality she liked. So she hoped Adam would rise above it and not show any reaction, making him the better man. He was a better man.

A much better man who she couldn’t have. Pretend, remember?

She sipped her drink. Luckily, Natalie and Cassie had dashed off to the ladies’, leaving her alone with her glum thoughts.

“You’re not for me, Sophie,” Simon had said. Excuses of course, but had there truth in them? He’d thundered into her life, then back out again, like a storm. “We’re not right for each other like I thought we were. You don’t know how to love.”

She didn’t know how to love. Apparently, she was … No, don’t go there. She obliterated the words from her mind and finished her wine to loosen the tightness in her throat.

If only she could prove him wrong. But for real. Not with pretend boyfriends.

He doesn’t need know it’s fake.

Simon’s touch had surprised her, too. She was shocked at how much she didn't like it any more. She didn't remember Simon being like this before – not really. A flirt with the ladies, yes. But acting like an arse now certainly wasn't going to help improve her feelings towards him. Was Adam getting on with him? She shouldn't worry. Adam looked like a man who could handle himself and besides, Gareth was there. He'd be fine.

Natalie squeezed through the busy club and stood beside her at the table. “Save me from Cassie,” she said, swaying, shaking Sophie from her thoughts. “I swear, she drinks like a fish and cannot be removed from the dance floor without heavy machinery!”

Sophie giggled at her friend, who had a hideous fluorescent pink veil stuck in her hair – it was a good distraction from her bleak thoughts. Her smile dropped as she saw a woman go up to the bar, luckily ignoring Sophie.

Zoe.

“I didn’t invite her here tonight,” Natalie whispered. “She still lives locally. Probably meeting friends.”

“Good.” Sophie grabbed her next drink lined up on the table and took a gulp of it, turning her back on the woman. Zoe was another reason why she didn’t like coming home.

“But she might be coming to the wedding – only the evening do though,” Natalie nervously confessed, wincing. “Sorry.”

Sophie shrugged and took another gulp of her wine. Maybe getting drunk was the answer. She would blank the woman, pretend she didn’t recognise her – unless she had Adam on her arm, of course. Oh, now she liked that idea.

“Shall we go to the beach tomorrow morning?” Cassie said, intruding drunkenly into their conversation, nestling between Sophie and Natalie.

“Uh, I don’t know … ”

“Go on, Soph. It’ll be a laugh. We’ll all go. Smarmy Simon did suggest it and you can show him what a fool he was to let you go – you know, drape yourself over Adam in your very best bikini.” She grinned at Sophie, then hiccupped.

“I didn’t bring one.” Compulsive liar, now.

“You can borrow one of mine.”

Sophie swallowed. Cassie’s idea of a bikini was three triangles and bits of string, or the equivalent thereof – and she had the boobs to fill them.

“Sounds like a great idea! We can kill a couple of hours, top up our tans and play volley ball,” Natalie said.

Sophie could have slapped Natalie – metaphorically of course.

Get out of this one, Batman.

She’d feel more comfortable on the beach in a bikini if Adam wasn’t there. She secretly prayed for rain tomorrow morning. Note to self: wake up early and do rain dance. As long as sunshine arrived for Saturday, Sophie would be guilt free.

“Agreed. So, are you two dancing or what?” Cassie bellowed over the loud music that suddenly seemed to get louder. “You’d better not be daydreaming about lover-boy.”

Sophie laughed, shaking her head.

“Come on, this is my favourite song. Let's dance.” Cassie pulled her from the stool, grabbing Natalie with her other arm and any other friends on her way. “I’ve seen a TDH on the dance floor.” Sophie and Natalie looked at each other, frowning. “Tall, dark and handsome. Come on, then we can hit the tequila!”

Oh, bloody hell.

***

“Simon says, another beer!”

Gareth shook his head slowly.

“Gareth, don’t be such a lightweight,” Simon slurred. “It’s Simon Says, remember?”

Gareth looked tired and unsteady on his feet, the bar supporting him. Adam had been doing him a favour most of the night, hiding the copious number of pints Simon had tried to feed him.

“He’s had enough. We don’t need him in hospital for alcohol poisoning two nights before his wedding,” Adam said, trying to make a joke about it. But it wasn’t working. Gareth sat on one side of him at the bar and Simon stood on the other. Only the three of them now. The fathers of the bridal couple had long since retired. They'd come out for a few and then headed back to the hotel. Various friends of Simon’s and Gareth's had also been and gone.

“Ah, he'll be all right,” Simon said, elbows resting on the bar. “Simon says, another!”

Adam held up his pint glass and shook his head. “No, I'm fine.”

“Lightweight,” Simon muttered, catching the attention of the barman and holding his glass up to him, nodding.

“So, how'd you meet Sophie?” he asked, turning to Adam.

Adam swallowed his mouthful of Cornish ale before answering. He’d been waiting for this question all evening. “We met at an office party.”

“Yeah? What do you do?”

“I’m an account manager.” That’s all Simon needed to know as far as Adam was concerned.

Simon nodded, as if he knew what that meant. Adam tried not to smirk.

“You know we were once an item, don’t you?” Simon smiled arrogantly and Adam badly wanted to wipe the grin off his face.

“Yes, so she said.” Adam met Simon’s eyes. Simon was probably too drunk to realise Adam was watching for a reaction, not intimidated by him. But Simon seemed confident, continuing to talk about her, like he knew her better than anyone. He did know her better than Adam – but that would change by the end of this weekend.

“Yeah, she’s a smart girl.” Simon nodded as he said the words. “Smart girl. Shame I didn’t realise it back then.” The barman handed Simon another pint of ale. “But things got too heavy. Talking about marriage, kids, that sort of thing.” Adam kept his surprise in check. “But we were younger then. It's different now.” Simon slapped Adam on the back. “You got a great girl there, Adam. Hold on to her.”

She’s a woman. A beautiful woman.

Adam nodded, keeping his eyes fixed on Simon. “I intend to.”

Especially if it’s the only way to keep your hands off her.

As he took a sip from his beer, Adam glanced at the entrance to the wine bar, noticing two women come in. Straight away, Simon headed over in their direction and started chatting them up, encouraging them to join him. Simon wasn’t ugly and he knew it, so it wasn’t long before the two women were at the bar with him. Simon had his arm draped over one girl’s shoulder, the other encouraged to stand beside Gareth. She gave Adam a flirtatious glance, but he kept his cool. Not interested.

Simon nudged Adam. “Now the fun begins.”

The woman made her move on Gareth. Flirting, playing with his tie, hair, ears.

Adam didn’t pick up girls for the night any more. Yes, it was usually how it started, getting chatted up, but he liked to at least get a number, take them to dinner – a date. His relationships were short, but not that short. Gareth certainly wasn’t interested – he was batting the woman off as if swatting flies.

“Look, lady, you’re nice and all, but I’m not interested.” Gareth stood up from the bar, walking away, escaping the woman. “I’m getting married Saturday.” Angered and flustered, he paced the bar, then pointed at Simon. “If this was your idea –”

“Oh, come on, Gareth. Make the most of your freedom before they lock the ball and chain around your ankle for good. Simon says –”

“I don’t give a monkeys what Simon says! I told you.” Gareth lunged; Adam instantly reacted, stopping him from shoving Simon.

“Hey, hey, come on.” Adam stood between the two men, watching Gareth, but with Simon in view as well.

“Gareth, lighten up, it‘s a bit of fun.”

“Simon, why don‘t you drop it,” Adam said, turning towards him, trying to control his own anger. Gareth needed him to keep his cool. “Gareth obviously isn't interested.”

“Why don't you sod off out of it, Adam?”

“No. You sod off,” Gareth said, moving out of Adam’s grasp and shoving Simon. “I’m sick of Simon says.” Adam grabbed Gareth’s arm and pulled him back, putting an arm around his shoulder. The drink was talking for these two. Simon held his hands up, unfazed by his friends attempt to attack and shook his head, smirking.

“Why don’t we head back to the hotel?” Adam patted Gareth on the back and led him towards the door. “The ladies should be getting back soon, too.” He raised his eyebrows at Simon, a subtle warning to let them pass. Simon stood aside, still drinking his pint.

“Hey, if you two lightweights don’t mind, I’m going to hang about here.”

***

“Cigar?” Adam took a cigar out of his inside pocket and offered it to Gareth as they walked along the narrow road towards the hotel. Simon had handed them out earlier and now he was glad he’d held onto the two he’d taken. Adam only smoked the occasional cigar, normally amongst clients, but now seemed a good time.

“Thanks.” Gareth took the cigar, putting it in his mouth and Adam lit it, then his own.

They had a climb ahead of them, but he could see the hotel lit up on the hillside. The tide was up, the waves crashed onto the beach. The moon illuminated their narrow road as the streetlights were at a dull minimum.

“Thanks, Adam, for back there.” Gareth thumbed behind him, slightly out of breath and then slung his free hand in his pocket. Adam watched Gareth walk, drunkenly weaving along the pavement. He didn’t need him falling over and getting a black eye – or worse. Try explaining that to the bride. And the wedding photographer. He put his arm on the man's shoulder, subtly supporting him.

“No problem. Don’t need two best friends falling out before the big day. And over a couple of birds!” Adam laughed.

“Oh, please, don’t tell Natalie.”

“I won’t.” Adam shook his head. He gave a sly smile at Gareth, who smiled back, shaking his head.

“And that means don't tell Sophie either. You know how women talk.” Adam's eyes widened. “Hey, Natalie will be fine with it really. We trust each other, you know? But she's likely to kill Simon. So until after the wedding, right?” Gareth laughed. “Or I'll be left without a best man.”

Adam chuckled, puffing at his own cigar.

“I know he can be an arse at times, but why‘d he have to pull a stunt like that?” Gareth ran his hand through his hair, then placed it back in his pocket. “I’m getting married, for Christ sake! Just because he can't keep his knob inside his pants … ”

Adam raised his eyebrows, intrigued. He’d thought about seeing if Simon could shed some light on why Sophie was acting oddly, but had chosen to leave it be. Sophie wouldn’t have been happy having him delve where he shouldn’t go. And besides, what would he have looked like? The jealous boyfriend? He didn’t want to look as if he had anything to be jealous about. That would wind Simon up more than anything. Gareth might be able to give him some insight to the bloke, what Sophie had been attracted to. Because at the moment he couldn’t see why Sophie, as smart as she was, had fallen for Simon. Gareth was right; the man was an arse.

“Maybe he doesn’t know you as well as you thought.”

Gareth laughed. “Yeah, I should have known, really. Simon only looks out for number one, after all. And thinks with his dick most of the time.”

“So why is he your best man?” Adam asked, scratching his head. “From what I see, you’re nothing alike.”

Gareth shrugged. “I’ve known him so long. We grew up together. We've always been 'best friends'. But he changed when he hit puberty.” Gareth chuckled and Adam watched with interest. Gareth continued, “I’m not sure when exactly, but all of a sudden girls came into the equation. He became very popular with the girls and it gave him a new kind of confidence.”

“So why'd you stick around with him?”

Gareth shook his head, exhaling the smoke of his cigar. Both men’s breathing had become heavier with their climb. “I don't know. We each had our own set of friends at uni, and we were studying different things – only natural.” Adam nodded, listening to Gareth. “But after uni, we met up, hung out, went to a match together, that sort of thing. I started seeing Natalie one summer and through us, he met Sophie. I suppose, when it doesn’t come down to girls, he’s all right really. We’ve bailed each other out occasionally.” Gareth looked Adam in the eye. “You must have a friend that gets on your nerves at times, but you still wouldn't be without.”

Adam thought of James, who’d got him into this mess. A part of him was already planning on how to kill him. And a small, ridiculous part wanted to thank him. James had started at the company as an apprentice at the same time Adam had stepped off the factory floor and into the offices. He’d been glad to meet someone close to his age and interested in similar things. They might be chalk and cheese, but along the way they’d become good friends. Yeah, James drove him mad at times, but he’d become a very good, trusted friend. Not an arse like Simon though. He was more like Gareth actually, his life settled with Kate.

“Yeah, yeah, I do, actually.” Adam smiled.

Chapter Six

“Hey, how’d it go?”

Sophie approached Adam, finding him waiting in reception as promised. He stood up from the leather sofa and she reached up, giving him a gentle kiss on the lips, remembering what he’d said. Heavens, did that feel good – and odd. Luckily, the alcohol in her veins meant she didn’t care. She relaxed when he smiled. Then she frowned, noticing he was on his own.

“Where are the others?”

“Gareth has gone up to his room, and Simon isn’t back yet. We left him to it.”

“Oh.”

“I’ll tell you in the morning.” Adam glanced over to spot Cassie talking to a group of people, and she waved at Adam.

“More family and friends arriving.” Sophie took Adam’s wrist and glanced at his watch. “Do you want to be introduced?”

“Can it wait?” He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her tightly towards him.

“Yeah, it can wait.” Relaxing into one another felt natural, but was it alcohol fuelled? Whatever, it did feel rather wonderful, like she had her safety net back. Sophie waved back at Cassie. “I'm tired, too.”

“Then let’s go to bed.” Sophie looked at him. He subtly chuckled. “You know what I mean.”

They headed towards a pair of lifts and Adam pressed the call button, keeping Sophie close to him. She rested into him, tiredness creeping into her bones, wanting to drop the pretence in front of her friends and family. To her relief, the lift door opened and they stepped in.

Adam pressed their floor button, and turned to face Sophie. If she could feel it, he could too - all eyes were on them. The lift doors started closing and he slowly leaned towards her, his eyes meeting hers. He moved towards her gradually, glancing to her lips, his slightly parted.

Sophie’s heart raced. Watching his blue eyes, then his lips. He’s going to kiss me, really kiss me. We haven’t discussed this! The lift doors closed. Adam pulled away with a wink. Sophie breathed out.

But the lift didn’t move. The doors pinged and started to open. Adam, startled, instantly planted his lips on Sophie’s, pulling her into an embrace, one hand stroking her cheek. Sophie hesitantly ran her fingers through his hair, kissing him back, softening into his hold.

“Oh, sorry!” a man said. A middle-aged couple stood there awkwardly as the doors fully opened. “We’ll wait for the other lift.”

Sophie pulled out of the kiss, her cheeks red hot. Then, she spied Simon with two women, one clinging to each arm, walking towards them.

“All right, Adam. Sophie!” Simon called out, kissing one of the women, groping at the other. Both women giggled, their hands were all over him. Sophie scowled at the sordid sight.

As Adam reached for the lift button, Sophie instinctively reacted. She grabbed hold of his collar with both hands and kissed him passionately, more lustfully than the kiss they'd just shared. Her breathing was heavy as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body hard against his, combing her fingers through his hair.