The Bet Ch. 02

** If you're want to catch up to speed, chapter 1 can be found here: https://www..com/s/the-bet-ch-01-15
I haven't made any plans for this at all, so please excuse any inconsistencies between Chapters. The writing of Chapter 3 has begun and continues apace - any suggestions welcome!
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Chapter 2 - Wednesday
Day Three of the Conference was even duller than the first two. A talk on 'The Effects of Brexit on the Office Stationary Industry', boiled down to one very simple answer: 'We Don't Know'. Before meeting Nancy, I had this talk marked down as the one that could explode into violence or, at the very least, mild excitement. A room full of testosterone-fuelled alpha male wannabes and a delicate subject like Brexit, Remainers mixed with Brexiteers? Surely a powder-keg of fisticuffs beckoned?
Yeah, I couldn't have been more wrong if I tried.
The guy delivering the speech was so nondescript and apologetic he defused any anger at all. He'd brought leaflets outlining the potential outcomes, the effects of Brexit on the stapler industry, higher import taxes on equipment which were so in-depth for any of fifteen outcomes, I didn't even have to make any notes. I switched off and reminisced about the night before - Nancy's soft, inviting pussy, her full buttocks, her smile, her sparkling eyes. A couple of times I had to adjust myself and reposition my paperwork to hide my memories.
We broke for a short recess at about 11 and I went for coffee. I needed something strong and black, added two sugars. I turned around and found Michelle standing beside me, helping herself to a herbal tea.
'Morning, Steve. Good night?' she asked. Her voice was pleasant and friendly, I sensed laughter wasn't too far behind it.
'It was, thanks,' I replied with all the innocence I could find. 'Yours?'
'Well, it took an unexpected turn, but I think everything worked out for the best.' She dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. 'So who was she?'
'Who?'
She nudged me. 'Guys don't run naked round a hotel robbing champagne for other guys. There are two women here, me and Patricia. Patricia's in her sixties, so I hope you didn't go there. I was otherwise engaged, so... who was she?'
'Her name's Nancy. I met her in a pub.'
Michelle nodded. 'I thought it had to be an outsider. People in this company are...' she turned and looked at Phil, my erstwhile quizzing partner from Monday night. 'Most of them are fucking weird.'
'Phil? Nah, he's a nice guy.'
'Ever had him try to pull you?' she visibly shuddered. 'If you keep seeing this girl, don't introduce her to him. You'll never see her again.'
I laughed. 'You're going to have to tell me that story, you know.'
'Never. I don't want to think about it, ever again. So, are you seeing her again?'
'I hope so. She was sweet, funny. We connected.'
'Is she still here?'
'No idea,' I conceded. 'I left her in my room because I had to come to this.'
Michelle took my coffee from me. 'Go see her. I'll say you were for the whole session. Let's face it, you're not going to miss anything.'
On impulse, I kissed her on the cheek and ran out of the room. The lift was on its duty on another floor so I ran straight up the stairs, taking them two at a time. I got to my room, burst through the door.
It was empty. She'd showered, the steam was still lingering on the mirror. On the chest of drawers, I found a scrap of paper from the cheap notepad that came with the room, her phone number written on it. I added it to my phone and sat on the end of the bed, composing her a message.
Hey, it's Steve. Last night was amazing. See you later?
I sent it and headed back downstairs to the Brexit talk. As I slipped onto an empty chair on the back row, my phone vibrated with her reply.
Hey! Let me know when you're done and meet me in Liverpool One if you still want to take me shopping xx
The rest of the session stretched out like syrup from a spoon. By the time 3pm rolled around, I'd had enough of Brexit, staplers and given the choice of finding out more about online storage systems and their failsafe passwords or throwing myself from a window, I'd be looking for the nearest glass aperture.
Eventually, the final speaker wrapped up, one of the organisers thanked them for their presentation and invited each of us delegates to attend the evening's festivities, a blind charity auction. There was no chance I'd be attending. I sent Nancy a quick message to say I was done, she told me the location of a coffee shop in Liverpool One to meet her outside. I called a cab and was out of the hotel in less than twenty minutes.
She was beautiful in the daylight. She was wearing her hair up in a loose ponytail, blue jeans, her black puffa jacket and the same battered white trainers. I paid the cabbie and went to her. On the journey I'd began to persuade myself that she'd tell me last night was a mistake, that Luke was the guy she was meant to be with, that she never wanted to see me again.
My fears were put to bed as soon as she wrapped İstanbul Escort her arms around me, curling them behind my neck and kissing me. I slipped my arms around her waist before dropping one hand onto her butt and giving it a squeeze.
We broke away and stood, gazing at each other, holding hands.
'How was your conference?' she asked.
'Crap,' I replied. 'I'd much rather have been with you.'
She smiled. 'That's sweet.'
'Anyway,' I said. 'Shopping. You need a dress for tonight. Where's good to start?'
She shrugged. 'Dunno. I usually shop in Primark. I don't know anywhere posh that might sell the sort of thing you want.'

I spotted Marks