Chapter Six

Only a short chapter as I'm meant to be studying....



Deborah ran her hands through her hair, letting her fringe fall back into place. She stared at herself in the small mirror. She was angry and upset. Angry with Glen for contacting her and angry with herself for reacting. Here she was in the most romantic city in the world, with the object of most red blooded women’s fantasies and she was reacting to a text from her ex boyfriend. People would say it proved she wasn’t over him but she knew she was; had been for about six months. Why would he not leave her alone?

Glen had started texting her again about two weeks previously and at first she’d been surprised to hear from him and just a little but glad that things obviously weren’t working out for him and Lisa and she’d text back. Before she knew it he was texting her all day, everyday. She ignored it at first then he called her to see why she wasn’t answering his texts.

She shook her head and, making sure her make up was in place, made her way back up the stairs to the others. She fixed a big smile on her face that, if you looked closely, didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Jon always looked closely.

“Hey babe, how are you?” Jen asked quietly, leaning across the table.

“I’m fine. Listen,” she turned to look at all three of them, “I’m sorry for running off like that and bringing the mood down, it’s just it's my ex and he won’t stop texting me and I guess it just got on top of me, that’s all.”

Jon looked at the slight puffiness around her eyes and his mouth thinned. He reached out to take her hand just as her mobile rang. Before she could react Jon whipped it from her and answered it.

“Hello?”

“Hi, is Debs there?”

“She can’t come to the phone right now, can I ask who’s calling?” Jon’s tone was icy.

“Uh, it’s Glen, I really need to talk to her.”

“Ain’t gonna happen.”

“What? Who the hell are you to say that?” Glen asked, irate.

“Her partner, and seeing as you’re only her ex, take my advice and fuck off.” there was the slightest hint of sarcasm in Jon’s controlled tone.

“What?” Glen spluttered, “Who the fuck do you think you are to talk to me like that?”

“Jon Bon Jovi, that’s who I am.” and with that Jon clicked the phone off.

Deborah was like a rabbit in headlights. She didn’t know whether to hug Jon for what he had done or be appalled. She knew what Glen was like and how vindictive he could get when thwarted.

Jen clasped a hand over her mouth to stop the stunned giggles and Richie looked like a proud papa who’s kid had just won the science fair.

Deborah turned to look at Jon and was stunned to see anger on his face.

He handed her mobile back to her and leaned close.

“No one should treat you like shit and get away with it.” he said softly.

Deborah was overwhelmed that someone she barely knew would go out on a limb for her and, as he turned away, she leaned in and kissed his cheek.

“Thank you.” she whispered, holding the mobile close to her.

Jen smiled at the look on Jon’s face when Deborah kissed him and she turned to Richie.

“I think he likes her.” she whispered to her partner in crime.

“I think so too.” he whispered back, running his fingers along her hairline, causing her to shiver.

Jon looked at the two of them as a waiter appeared at their table.

“When you two have stopped messing about, I’d like to order some food,” he said wryly, “ and a bottle of champagne.” he added, smiling. Telling that asshole where to go made him feel good, especially as it had helped Deborah. He wasn’t quite sure what it was about her but he felt like he wanted to protect her at all costs.

The food soon arrived and they tucked in to the beautifully cooked and presented meals.