Eternal Hearts (Incurable Hearts 2) by Ellie R Hunter Page A

going to be executed by gun fire” Alex laughed.
    “That’s exactly how I feel,” I muttered.
    “Don’t be so dramatic Chris, it is only a drink with a woman who you got on well with” Nat scorned handing me my car keys. When I took them she frowned slightly.
    “What is wrong?” I groaned.
    After all she had nothing to be worried about, she got her way when I agreed to this.
    “Your still wearing your ring” she pointed out.
    I looked down at my wedding band, I didn’t notice it, it has been a part of me since the day Jas put it on me, I haven’t took it off once and I don’t intend to now.
    “So,” I shrugged, “You lot keep telling me it’s only a drink”
    “It doesn’t look good going on a date though,” she said.
    “Good job it is only a drink then, isn’t it”
    I saw her deflate and give up the fight. It was staying on and that was final.
    “Okay” I sighed, “Are you going to be okay on your own?” I asked Ava.
    “I’ll be fine, I have to Skype my Aunt Grace, I haven’t spoke to her in a few days so it should occupy me for a couple hours” she laughed, “Go have fun” she said.
    “Yeah yeah, I won’t be late” I said trying to put it off for a bit longer. 
    “Go” they both ordered at the same time.
     
    I knew the street Megan lived on, it was close to my mother’s old house. She was walking down her path when I pulled up out front. I had to admit she looked good. I was relieved she hadn’t dressed up too much. She didn’t give me a chance to open her door for her as she climbed straight in.
    “Hi” she beamed.
    “Hi, how have you been?” I asked.
    “Good, you?”
    “Good”
    The one thing I didn’t want tonight was awkward silences. Every-time I thought I had something I could say, it wouldn’t come out and then the silence would continue.
    The atmosphere in the car was horrifying, I couldn’t wait till I got a drink in me. Luckily the pub wasn’t far from her house. I parked the car resulting in the silence to become deafening.
    She half twisted in her seat, facing me before she spoke.
    “Look, were only going for a drink, we will talk, hopefully have a laugh, then you will drop me off home, then go home yourself. Relax,” she ordered smiling warmly.
    “Your right” I laughed.
    Her words worked because I felt a lot more relaxed walking into the pub with her.
    I remembered just in time to open the door for her. She went to find a table while I ordered our drinks.
    Megan was a stunner and she was up front, suddenly I felt a lot better about this evening. 
    “Nat has already told you this is my first date, hasn’t she?”  I asked , handing her a drink.
    “She did warn me you might be out of sorts”
    “I’m surprised you could get a sitter so quickly, for your son, wasn’t it?” I asked, steering her into another topic of conversation, I knew my dating abilities lacked somewhat, I didn’t need to talk about them.
    “Yes, Jamie. My sister lives round the corner from me, she offered when I told her about you”
    “That’s good, so what do you do?”
    It was a good question to ask, the conversation never died down after she started talking. She was currently working in a Doctors surgery as a receptionist, as well as studying to become a therapist. Listening to how passionate she is about wanting to help young children and teenagers, if only through talking about their problems was intriguing. I told her about how I built Collins Construction when she asked and all about the house and how the outhouse is coming along. We sat talking about everything, what music we liked, films, television programmes and books. Apparently she is a big reader, which was when I mentioned she had that in common with Ava.
    The conversation smoothly rolled onto the topic of the night of the party when Ava first turned up on my doorstep.
    “I did wonder where you all disappeared to that night”
    “Sorry about that, it was a big shock to find out I had a daughter, I totally