Page 51 of Dead in the Water
Aside from that, Lily spent the time attempting to ignore her now overwhelming guilt about not responding to Flynn’s messages and calls. When Seren messaged her in the middle of the main course, she had no reservations about discreetly typing out a reply with her phone held under the table, but her speed at responding to Seren only intensified her guilt over ignoring Flynn.
As soon as she got home, she’d message him and tell him she was fine, but had had a busy day. Pushing her empty dessert plate away, she decided it was a good time to call it a night.
“How about we move to the bar for another drink?” Russell said, before Lily could speak.
“It’s been a long day,” Kerry said. “I’m sure we’re all ready to hit the hay.”
Russell ignored the suggestion. “Lily?”
“I imagine she wants to get home to bed,” Kerry said tightly. “It’s probably where you should be heading, too.” Her eyes went pointedly to the empty whiskey glass in front of him.
Again, he ignored her. “Shall we?” he said to Lily as he stood.
She hesitated – an overwhelming part of her insisting she should go home, while a quieter, more insistent voice in her head whispered that she might as well see if she could garner any more information. Maybe Russell would let his guard down when they were alone. Especially if he continued to consume alcohol at the rate he’d been doing over dinner.
“Maybe just one more drink.”
Kerry muttered something Lily couldn’t make out, then schooled her features into a wide smile and wished Lily goodnight.
“Don’t mind her,” Russell said as they walked out of the restaurant. “She gets jealous when she sees other people having fun.”
“She seems nice. Very self-assured.”
“You can say that again. Most people find it overbearing.”
“She’s a woman,” Lily stated. “People don’t like it when we’re confident and know our own minds.”
Grinning, he tilted his head. “I never saidIfind her over-bearing. Or at least I don’t think it’s a bad thing.”
As they entered the bar, he headed straight for a table, but raised his hand to get Sean’s attention behind the bar.
“Whiskey for me,” he said. “Wine for Lily.”
Feeling slightly woozy already, Lily had absolutely no desire for more alcohol. She needed to keep a clear head.
“I’ll just be a second,” she said to Russell, who slumped onto the bench seat along the back wall. “I want to make sure the barman doesn’t give me the cheap rubbish.”
“Yes. You tell him you want the good stuff. No expense spared when you’re with me.”
She smiled sweetly as she left him.
“You on a date?” Sean asked quietly, sauntering over to stand directly across the bar from her.
“Don’t be gross.” She shuddered at the thought. “I’m just talking to him.”
“Judging by the way he was staring at your breasts when you walked in, I’d say he’s interested in more than your conversational skills.”
“You might be right,” she admitted. “This feels seedy. Please tell me to go home immediately.”
“And spoil my entertainment? No chance.”
“This is a really dubious way to get information,” Lily said, more to herself than Sean.
“It is what it is,” Sean said breezily. “Use what you’ve got, I say.” He tipped his head at her chest.
“You’re not making me feel better. I can’t imagine I’m going to find anything, anyway. I’m wasting my time.”
“Just talk to him and see what he lets slip while his guard is down. If he gets handsy or inappropriate, I’m right here. Give me the nod if you need me to step in.” He paused and a moment passed. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
