Down London Road (On Dublin Street #2)(36)

The thought of Cole loosened my lips into a more relaxed smile. 'He's very talented.'

'I'd love to take a look at them sometime.'

'I think Cole would like that.' I didn't know why I said that. I didn't want Cam anywhere near Cole or my flat. It was the way he was looking at me. Like he saw something he liked and it had nothing to do with my pretty face, long legs or perky boobs. Words that had tumbled out of my mouth had pleased him and I was basking in his good opinion.

I was such an idiot.

'Jo?'

My gaze was ripped from Cam's at the voice.

No. I tensed. It can't be.

I shifted around in my seat and looked up into the eyes of someone very familiar. An unexpected ache flared in my chest as a rush of memories exploded over me.

Oh, God. Was someone just being particularly cruel today? I mean, how many coincidences could a person deal with in one day?

'Callum?' My eyes searched my ex-boyfriend's handsome face. I hadn't seen him for about a year. We'd bumped into each other a number of times since breaking up three years ago but never somewhere where we could talk.

I noted a couple of lines around his eyes that hadn't been there when we'd dated, but they only added to his attractiveness. Not a strand of his silky dark hair was out of place, and his suit was cut exquisitely for his perfect physique. The short brunette at his side was a fresh-faced beauty about my age.



       
         
       
        

'Jo, it's good to see you.' He took a step away from his date and I thought I saw a momentary flicker in his eyes. I stood up from the table and was immediately enveloped in his hug. He hadn't changed his cologne and it sparked sensual memories. Sex with Callum had been the best I'd ever had  –  nothing kinky or exceptionally adventurous, but earthy and satisfying. Sadly, I wondered if that was what had kept us together so long.

Callum's hands had slid familiarly around my body as he drew me into the hug and now one of them was pressed low on my back and the other just touching my ass. 'I've missed you,' he murmured, giving me a squeeze.

I laughed nervously, pulling out of his embrace. 'I've missed you too.'

A throat cleared and I twisted my head to see Malcolm staring up at us, his eyebrows elevated to his hairline.

'Oh, Malcolm, this is Callum Forsyth. Callum, this is my boyfriend, Malcolm Hendry.'

Malcolm half stood so he could lean over and shake Callum's hand. Callum eyed him carefully, murmuring a polite 'Hello' before sliding his gaze back to me.

'You look amazing.'

'Thank you.' I flicked a look at his date, wondering if he was going to introduce her. Following my gaze, Callum seemed to suddenly realize she was there. 'Oh, this is Meaghan. My fiancée.'

Wow, what a way to greet an ex-girlfriend in front of his fiancée. I almost sent him a chiding look. 'Nice to meet you.'

'You too,' she answered politely, smiling sweetly up at Callum.

If I was her I'd have been pissed off if my fiancé had just had his hand on another woman's ass. If I was her I'd be  –

Rubbish, Jo. I chastised myself. You're talking absolute rubbish. If it had been you, you would have pretended you hadn't seen anything so it wouldn't cause an argument and upset him.

As I stared at my ex-boyfriend and his new fiancée I saw that nothing had changed. She might be short and brunette, but she was likely just another version of me. That look of longing in Callum's eyes perhaps attested to our great sex life and nothing more, because  …  he hadn't known me.

I was the perfect girlfriend. Thinking back, I couldn't remember a time we'd ever got into a fight. Why? Because I never argued. I always agreed with him or curbed my tongue. I didn't care what we did as long as it made him happy. I was the epitome of congenial blandness. And when I finally hadn't catered to his every whim, when I'd put my family's needs over his, he'd kicked me to the kerb.

A shudder rippled through me and I took a step back from Callum, all those warm memories evaporating. Did Cam see that when he looked at me with Malcolm? Was I like that with Malcolm? We never argued. I always agreed  …  but that was the way to keep him, right? I shot a look down at him and saw he was frowning at me. I wanted this man to propose one day, right? It didn't matter whether he was proposing to the real me or not. 

My gut churned.

Right?

It didn't matter.

 …  right?

I looked back at Callum with a tight smile. 'I'd better get back to dinner. It was nice seeing you after all this time, and nice meeting you, Meaghan.' I nodded at them and slipped back into my chair.

I knew they were gone when Malcolm's gaze returned to me. 'Are you okay?'