Little White Lies by Katie Dale Read Free Book Online Page B

single bite. The whole meal has been unbearable, with Vix tiptoeing on eggshells around me, and Kenny all secret smiles at being my knight in shining armor.
    I suppose I should be grateful—he covered for me, after all—but I would never have dropped the stupid letter if it weren’t for him, if he hadn’t followed me here, if he didn’t make me so tense—he’s like a ticking time bomb.
    “Glad you both enjoyed it.” Kenny beams. “Who’d like another drink? My treat.”
    “No,
I’ll
get these,” I insist. “You’ve done enough.”
    “You’re welcome.” He winks.
    “I’ll come with you,” Vix says, looping her arm through mine as I hobble to the bar, which is still rammed. “Is he a catch or what?” She grins.
    “What?” I turn.
    “Kenny!” she hisses, her eyes sparkling. “Did you know he turned down
Oxford
? Cute, smart, and loaded. A triple threat, huh?”
    I glance over at him tapping at his iPhone. He’s definitely a threat, but not in the way Vix means.
    “He’s not really your type, though, is he?” I say quickly.
    Her face falls. “Why? Because he’s cute and smart?”
    “No, just... you like sporty guys and Kenny’s all... lanky, and kind of clingy,” I add. “I mean, we only met him yesterday and he just seems a bit full-on.”
    “You mean because he actually asked me out instead of turning me down flat?” She glances pointedly at Christian.
    “No, I just... think you could do better,” I tell her.
    “Because he’s not going gray?”
    I roll my eyes. “Vix—”
    “Kenny’s been nothing but nice to you, Lou, trying to get you a job here, buying you drinks—and you nearly snapped his head off when he was worried about your ankle. What’s your problem? Why don’t you like him?”
    “Vix, I...” I falter. I can’t tell her the truth.
    “What?” she demands.
    “I just... I guess I don’t trust him,” I tell her honestly. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
    “You don’t trust
any
men,” she counters.
    “
And
he seems to be flirting with everything that moves,” I add for good measure. “It wasn’t
me
trying it on with
him
yesterday, and it’s obviously not the first time he’s bought Heidi a coffee....”
    She frowns.
    “Just... play it cool for a bit, you know?” I suggest. “You’ve only just met him, after all.”
    “What would you like?” Christian asks breathlessly as he finally gets to us.
    “Three beers, please,” I say. “Make it four. I owe you one, and you look like you need it.”
    “Thanks, but I’m teetotal.”
    “Teetotal?” Vix stares at him. “How can you trust a barman who doesn’t drink?”
    He grins. “I’ll have a lemonade, if that’s all right?”
    “Course.” I smile. “Are you okay? Where’s Heidi?”
    “She went to the loo ages ago.” He shrugs. “You couldn’t check on her, could you? I’m dying out here.”
    “I’ll go,” Vix says.
    “Why don’t you take down the Facebook offer?” I ask.
    “I have, but apparently it’s on Twitter too, and every other social media site you can think of, but I don’t know the passwords, and Mike’s turned his phone off again,” he explains. “We’re just too technologically advanced for our own good.”
    “Bad news.” Vix rushes back into the bar. “Heidi’s ill.”
    “What?” Christian says, looking alarmed.
    “She’s locked herself in a cubicle and she doesn’t sound good at
all
.” Vix pulls a face.
    “Does she need some medicine?” Christian asks. “A glass of water?”
    “She’s well beyond that.” Vix shakes her head. “That girl needs to go
home
.”
    “Shit!” Christian says. “She can’t—I can’t cope on my own. We’re swamped!”
    “She can’t work,” Vix argues. “She can’t even leave the toilet at the moment. It isn’t pretty.”
    “Bollocks!” Christian groans. “I’ll have to close the pub. I can’t manage alone. Mike won’t be happy, but I can’t even tell him cos he’s turned his bloody phone