Dear Darling by Elle McKenzie Page B

Elaine said, rolling her eyes at me.
    “Yeah, it’s not my scene.” She tossed back her glass of wine, motioning the bartender for another as he placed my glass in front of me.
    “Have a seat, at least we can drink together, right?”
    “Right.” I smiled and turned to pull the stool closer, pausing when I saw the man from earlier. His blue eyes pierced me, capturing my attention. My eyes darted to Eli, but he was still chatting with two large older men, his hands waving in the air manically. Looking back at the man, he leaned against a wall, a large plant covering his view of Elias.
    “I’ll be right back,” I said to Elaine, walking away from the bar and towards the bathroom. My eyes stayed trained on him, only leaving when I’d made my way past him and through the large double doors leading into the bathroom. As I looked at my pale complexion in the mirror, I tried to wrack my brain to remember where I’d seen him before. My mind was telling me I knew him, but I couldn’t place him.
    A sharp pain shot through my stomach, and I steadied myself against the sink, clutching my midriff. Taking steady breaths, I waited for the pain to subside, thinking it must have been something dodgy I’d eaten. I closed my eyes, as I dried my palms under the hand drier and took longer than usual to steady myself before opening the door. Two steps later, I walked face first into a rock solid chest.
    “Um, I’m sorry,” I said, looking up. “Can I help you?” I had walked into the man who had been staring at me.
    “Yer don’t recognise me, do yer?” his deep Scottish accent sent tingles through my body, throwing me off guard. My brows creased as I tried to think back.
    “Sorry, I don’t think I do.”
    “Yer, we met at Whispers nightclub a few years back. I can’t believe you don’t remember, Saffron. We chatted for a while.” I flinched as he said my name, but then something in my brain clicked as I remembered that hideous nightclub that Mel had dragged me to during university.
    “Ah, yeah. How are you . . .”
    “Greg.” The tone in his voice didn’t sound pleased that I hadn’t remembered his name.
    “Yes, Greg. How are you? It’s been a while.” I tried to be polite, but the fact that, after all this time, he had remembered my name, freaked me out. I’d met the guy once in a bar where we barely spoke two words to each other, yet he was acting like we were old friends. It was strange.
    “I’m great, ta. Is that yer hubby out there?” He motioned his head towards the bar area with a scowl on his face.
    “Yes, it is. Sorry, I must get back; he’ll wonder where I am. It was nice seeing you again.” I smiled politely, turning left to head towards the door. He grabbed me by my arm, swinging me around to face him. His features, once slightly attractive, contorted into an ugly guise.
    “I’ve been watching him all night, he probably won’t even notice yer’ve gone, lass. Stay and chat.” I tried to yank my arm free, but his grip was too tight.
    “I have to get back,” I squeaked, the fear bubbling inside me lacing every word. My eyes darted to the doorway that led to the bathroom, searching for someone, anyone, to help me. He didn’t care, though. Instead of letting me go, he stepped closer and leaned into me, pressing me between the wall and his body.
    “Did you like the flowers I sent you?” he whispered into my neck. Panic rose inside, burning its way upwards into my lungs, closing them.
    “You sent the flowers?” Realisation hit me like a brick. Jodie hadn’t bought them after all.
    “Yes, did you like them.” His tone changed again, demanding an answer.
    “Yes, they were beautiful. Thank you.” I didn’t know what was happening. Why was he behaving like he knew me?
    “Listen, lass, I liked yer from the first moment I saw yer. Give me a chance to chat to yer.” His voice sent shivers down my spine as he whispered into my ear. My body tingled and my legs gave way from under me. He