Someone Like You

Chapter 15

~ Chapter Fifteen ~ 

 "Claire, please allow me to introduce my lovely girlfriend, Audrey Harrington." As we shake hands, Jamie introduces her as his lovely sister, Claire O'Brien. 

"It's an honor to meet you, Claire. I know Jamie adores you and has been eagerly anticipating your arrival. I'm so glad you are here safe and sound." 

"I believe you. He worries way too much about me." She rolls her blue eyes at him. "I can't imagine what he puts you through, as his girlfriend. Although I realize it's how he expresses his love." She teases. 

"A glass of pinot, Mirossou please." Jamie tells the bartender. 

"Audrey, it's been a while since a girl has caught my brother's attention." Jamie glances up at Claire giving her a look with a heed of warning. 

"Oh really." 

"He's told me so much about you today I feel as if I already know you." 

"Hmm, well I'm all ears for any stories of Jamie that you would like to share." 

"Claire, don't embarrass me." Jamie hands me my wine. 

"Do tell Claire, my brother and sister will not hesitate to embarrass me with stories for Jamie." 

"I'll remember that." Chuckles Jamie, lifting his pint. "To my two favorite ladies I would do anything for. By the way, keep this in mind when you exchange stories while I run off to the loo. Cheers!"  

"Who says I'll wait until then? Let me think. There was the time when I was six years old and Jamie was fourteen. He was forced into playing dolls with me in my room and his friends came over. Mum let them in and they found him changing my doll's clothes!" 

"Christ, Pete will never let me live that one down." 

"Aw, that's so sweet and sort of really dodgy of you, Luv." Claire and I laugh. 

"He was too scrawny to defend himself, so he took some knocks for that one." Claire sadly admits. 

"Well, you can kick their arses now if they tease you." I wink and rub his muscular arm. 

"Oh trust me, they will still tease the shit out of me, regardless if I kick their asses!" He chuckles. 

"Jamie tells me your family owns a pub on Portobello with tasty pub grub." 

"Yes, it's been in my family for five generations and my brother, Nate, owns it now." 

"Next time you're in town, we will go there for a pint and lunch or dinner. I know you love the onion soup here, so I made reservations...ah, and our table is ready." 

Following the hostess to our table, Claire leans in and whispers, "What have you done to my brother? He's a fuckin' mess." 

Shocked, I look over at her in panic. Jamie calls my name and pulls out a chair for me, while Claire sits down across from me and Jamie sits between us. 

What is she talking about? Why does she think he's a mess? Oh no, does she hate me already and she's hiding it from Jamie!  

"Excuse me, I'll be back." Grabbing my handbag, I start coughing to use as an excuse to quickly disappear to the bathroom. 

Dialing my phone, I pray Erika answers. She will help me figure out what to do. Shit, she's not answering, so I listen to the prompt and wait for the beep. 

"Erika, I need your advice. I just met Jamie's sister and I don't think she likes me dating him. We've just sat down to dinner, so it's going to be a long night. I have no idea what I've done but she thinks I've turned him into a mess. I need your advice, please call me when you get this message. Thanks."