Mia is oblivious to the surprised looks the other table occupants give Bryn and her. Bryn pours himself a drink and slumps back. She’s an interesting choice of date if they’re not talking.
“Can I take pictures?” she asks Bryn.
Bryn snaps his head around. “Pictures of what?”
“You guys. Everyone.” She leans in. “Kelly Holland is at the table behind. If I take a selfie, she’ll ‘accidentally’ be in the picture too.” Mia giggles.
I don’t know Bryn well, but I’d never pin him as a guy interested in someone like Mia. Her fingers and neck are covered in expensive jewellery and the red dress is one I’d label ‘barely decent’. I hazard a guess at spoilt, rich girl.
“Do what you like, but don’t piss off anyone,” mutters Bryn.
Mia kisses his cheek. “You’re so awesome!”
As Bryn shakes his hair from his face and rubs his cheek. Jem laughs. “Don’t worry, Ruby will have the pissing off people part covered.
“Yeah, I’m just awesome too,” I say snidely.
Mia purses her lips for a moment then tips her head at Jem. “Bryn told me about you guys—so cute that Jem Jones finally fell in love.”
Jem chokes on his water before turning a sour face to Bryn’s companion. “I don’t fall in love, sweetheart.”
“Oh, okay, well, you guys areso cutetogether. Ruby and Jem. Precious. Gems? Rubies? Get it?” She smiles at her obvious joke.
So cute. Awesome. How old is she? But all I can hear is Jem’s words about not falling in love. I thought we were over this and had what he termed our own version of love. Seems that we have mismatched ideas still. This doesn’t help the insecurity caused by his recent whispered phone calls, which he claims are from the guys we’re sitting with now.
“Sorry,” says Bryn, “Mia has no internal filter. She’s a bit of a pain in the ass.”
“You love me really,” says Mia and pinches his cheek.
By this point, Liam and Dylan have joined in the stunned, silent staring at Bryn and Mia. If the Phoenix guys have no idea who she is then the media have a story that happily pushes me off the radar.
“Quit it, Mia,” says Bryn.
Pulling her hair over a shoulder, Mia picks up a glass of champagne and surreptitiously looks around at the other guests as she drinks, mouth open goldfish-style between sips.
“Where do you know Bryn from?” asks Sky. “I didn’t know he’d started dating.” Dylan digs her in the ribs. “What? I’m only asking what everyone else is thinking.”
Mia sips her champagne. “Oh, we’re not dating. Not yet anyway.” Bryn crosses his arms. “He’s keeping an eye on me.”
“Ah, Bryn the Babysitter!” says Jem.
“Piss off,” he replies. “Do you seriously think an eighteen year old princess is my type?”
“Princess?” says Dylan.
“Eighteen?” splutters Jem.
“Not a real princess, jeez. You know what I mean, look at her!”
I cringe for Mia who appears to think the insult is hilarious. Is she stupid?
“He’s always rude to me,” she says, “but I know he loves me really, otherwise why would I be here?”
“You just said why! I’m keeping an eye on you,” snaps Bryn.
“Keep telling yourself that,” she says with a smirk then catches the looks from Jem and Liam. “Oh, I’m teasing. He’s used to it.”
“Weird,” mutters Jem too loudly, echoing what I’m sure are the thoughts of those around.