FIRST TIME THEY REALISED THERE WAS A SPARK THERE:
Since the first day Joey had arrived in the Square, we'd always been friends. It was nice to have someone on the Square that just got me without even having to try. We'd bonded from the first moment we'd met…
"There you are, I've been looking all over for you" he proclaimed
"Why?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow at him in intrigue
"Fats' birthday, remember? It's today? Tonight to be precise. Celebrations at R&R?" he inquired
"But you're working tonight" I replied
"Yeah, but doesn't mean I can't join you on my breaks, does it? And unlike some" he stated, smirking at me as he spoke "I don't have to drink to have a good time"
"Neither do I" I proclaimed
"Oh really? How about we make a bet then?" he suggested, raising an eyebrow at me
"I'm listening" I informed him
"Tonight, you don't drink to have a good time. If you do, you pay me a £5, if you don't, I pay you £5 instead?" he questioned
"You've got yourself a deal, Joseph" I replied, holding my hand out for him to shake
"See you tonight then, Branning" he chuckled, standing up and kissing my cheek before leaving the caf
"You really want to go, don't you?" she inquired
I nodded my head, signalling yes… "And I promise I won't drink too much"
"Okay" she replied "but you be on your best behaviour and make sure Joey walks you home"
"Thank you, thank you, thank you" I squealed, hugging her tightly
"Luscious Lauren" Fatboy proclaimed as I made my way into R&R that evening "wow, you look hot"
"Thanks, Fats. Gotta make an effort for the birthday boy, haven't I?" I questioned
He smiled at me warmly and hugged me tightly, leading me to the end of the bar where everyone else was gathered…
JOEY'S POV:
As Fatboy led Lauren over to the rest of us, I had to physically stop my jaw from dropping at how amazing she looked! She was wearing a gorgeous black lace dress which showed off the best things about her, which was pretty much everything, and I couldn't help but notice that in her heels, her legs went on forever. Taking in the rest of her, I saw her hair was down in waves and she was wearing minimal make-up. Smiling at me as she moved to sit on a barstool next to Lucy and Whitney, she ordered an orange juice…
"No alcohol tonight, Lauren?" I heard Whitney ask
"Nope, Joey and I have got a bet going" she replied
"What sort of bet?" she inquired, raising an eyebrow at me
"Lauren doesn't drink tonight, I give her money, she does, she gives me money" I explained
"Good plan" she replied, smiling at us both
"Joey, come on, there's punters to be served" Sharon proclaimed
"Coming. See you guys later, yeah?" I questioned
The group nodded their heads and I made my way over to the other side of the bar to serve two blokes. As I organised their drinks, I heard them chatting about Lauren…
"She's hot, mate. £20 says I'll have her coming home with me by the end of the night" he proclaimed
"Which one?" his friend asked
"The one in the black dress. Amazing arse, great rack and those legs, wow! They'd go very nicely around my waist" he chuckled
"£6.00 please, gents" I informed them, setting their drinks down in front of them
"Before I pay you, can you ask the girl at the end of the bar if she wants a drink?" he inquired
"I can, but I know what her answer will be" I replied
"How come?" he questioned
"She's my cousin" I informed him, smirking as his jaw dropped "is that everything?"
He nodded his head, signalling yes, handing me a £10 note. Making my way to the till, I rang the order through and gave him his change…
I stood at the now almost empty bar, everyone out on the dancefloor having a good time, my eyes watching Lauren intently as a guy approached her. I watched as she nodded her head and set her drink down on the table, taking his hand, letting him lead her onto the dancefloor…
LAUREN'S POV:
"Can I cut in here?" Joey asked as he walked over to us
"Not really, mate" the guy I was dancing with informed him
"I think you'll find I can, or I'll have you kicked out by security" he replied
"Just so you know, you'd have a better time with me than this wacko here" he proclaimed
I smiled weakly and watched as he walked away. Turning my gaze back to Joey, I glared at him and made my way out of the club, him following me…
JOEY'S POV:
I followed Lauren out of R&R, ignoring Sharon's calls for me to come back. Finally reaching her as she began her descent down the market, I took a hold of her arm, turning her to face me…
"Why the fuck did you do that, Joey?" she questioned
"You looked like you needed help" I informed her
"Well I didn't. I'm gonna go home" she admitted
"Lauren, wait" I begged, following her as she began walking down the market again
"I'm going home and there's nothing you can do about it" she informed me
"What about your things? They're still in the club?" I questioned
"I'm sure Whitney will drop them off on her way home" she replied
"Lauren, please" I sighed "come back into the club, let me make it up to you"
"You've ruined my night, I hope you know" she informed me
"I didn't mean to" I admitted
"Well you have" she replied "why did you do that, Joey? He was a perfectly nice guy"
"He just looked like trouble" I sighed "and I'd heard some guys at the other end of the bar talking about you and I was being protective. I'm sorry, Lauren"
"What were they saying?" she questioned
"I'm gonna sugar-coat it" I informed her "they were saying how amazing you looked and they were not betting on one of them taking you home"
"I knew I looked cheap" she sighed
"You don't, babe" I replied
"Don't I? Then why are guys making bets on who can take me home?" she asked
"Because they're idiots" I informed her "and they don't know how funny, beautiful and amazing you are"
"You're just saying that" she sighed
"I'm not" I assured her "I'm not saying it because I'm your cousin and I have to. I'm saying it because it's the truth. You're amazing, Lauren, and if guys can't see that, then they're idiots"
"Thank you" she replied "I'll see you tomorrow"
"You're not coming back in?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow at her
She shook her head, signalling no… "I'm not really in the party mood anymore"
I smiled at her weakly and kissed her cheek, watching her as she turned and walked away, back down the market and out of sight…
