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shined cutlery, and once because I didn’t smile enough. Hypocrite, her face is permanently miserable. Gemma’s going to love this.
    I grab a tea towel and debate how much use it will be against the amount of soup covering Bryn’s trousers, but head out of the kitchen anyway. Bryn hovers outside and I almost slam into his wall of muscle.
    “Glad you’re not carrying more soup,” he says and steadies me with his hand.
    Bryn’s large palm is warm against my arm and his decision to touch me spikes my already high heart rate. I’m in physical contact with a rock star . I chastise myself; I’ll be swooning and giggling next.
    “Here,” I half-squeak and hold out the white and blue tea towel.
    He raises an eyebrow. “That’s too small; there’s a lot down there to dry, you know.”
    My face flares again at his double meaning. “Maybe take your trousers off…” Oh, my God . “I mean, do you have anything to change into?”
    Bryn makes a mock gasp. “I told you. You need to at least, buy me a drink before I put out! Groping me and then trying to get into my pants…you look so sweet and innocent, too.”
    I take a deep breath. I deserve this but I’m not taking it. “That’s amusing. I made a mistake and I’m trying to help.”
    Bryn takes the towel. “I know, but see the funny side, hey?”
    “Yeah, hilarious when I lose my job.”
    “Over one bowl of spilt soup?”
    “Believe me; somebody is looking for an excuse to get rid of me.”
    “Hmm. Well, I won’t complain if that’s what you’re worried about. Accidents happen.”
    “I can’t believe you’re calm about this.”
    “What would I achieve by being shitty about it?” He pauses. “Oh, because I’m famous you think I’ll have an attitude to you common folk.”
    Unsure whether this is teasing or what he thinks of me, I choose to ignore the comment and switch back to my professional mode. “Thank you. Is there anything else I can get you?”
    I don’t miss the sweeping appraisal of my white shirt and black skirt. Or more precisely, my tits and legs. “More soup, maybe?” he asks. “In a bowl this time, please.”
    “Okay.”
    He hands me the now orange stained towel. “And your name.”
    My heart sinks into my shoes. “I thought you said you weren’t going to complain?”
    “I’m not. I’d like to know your name as we’ve already been so intimate.”
    “Avery.”
    “Aviary? Like the place birds live?”
    I open my mouth to retort, but there’s no hint of teasing. Does he seriously think anybody would have that as a name?
    “No, A-ver-y, like the girl who sucks at waitressing.”
    Bryn smiles. “Cool name. Well, good luck with the rest of your shift, cariad.”
    I grip the tea towel as Bryn moves back to the throng of the wedding.
    Did he just call me cariad ?
     
    ****
     
    The hyperventilation stops somewhere between entrée and main course as I serve other tables and manage to keep the soup in the bowls. Still, the idea of approaching a table full of famous people I’ve mortally embarrassed myself in front of, is as appealing as my planned night out tomorrow. A pre-Christmas catch-up with school friends returning home after going their separate ways is normally fun. This year not so much. Each year, we drift apart a little more and some drift closer. Such as my now ex and my now ex-best friend.
    I’m pulled out of my musing by Kim, who digs me in the ribs. “He asked where you were.”
    “Who did?”
    “The guy you poured soup on.”
    “What? Why?”
    Kim shrugs and picks up large plates from the side and hands them to me. “Maybe he wants sexual favours in return for not registering a complaint?”
    “What the hell?” Kim’s face shows no hint of teasing. She actually believes this? “I don’t think so.”
    “Well, I noticed he’s the only one of them without a date. I’ve always wondered if the guy’s gay, but he definitely appreciated the view when I was serving him.” Kim straightens her white shirt