why?”
“Habit.” I shrug. “And because I can.”
Libby scoffs. “Maybe seven or eight years ago, but I’m afraid times have changed. And if you remember right, I’m not yours anymore.” She looks hastily around the room before lowering her voice to a hushed whisper. “We’re divorced , Alex.”
That word used to cut me like a knife, but not anymore. I’m immune to it. My mind is numb. But it won’t stop me from taking what I want. Whether it’s her, or her company, I won’t stop. Ever.
“We’re going to lunch—”
My phone interrupts me, which pisses me off. Picking it up from the desk, I notice the unknown number on my display. I’m not usually one for answering unknown numbers, but lately I’ve noticed my Business Advisor calling from one.
Bringing the phone to my ear, I answer briskly with, “Alex Lewis speaking.”
“Alex.” I instantly recognise the voice.
“Holli.” I smile and watch Libby bristling at her desk. “How did you get my number?” Alice no doubt, but I want to keep this going as long as I can. It was perfect timing for her to call.
“Well, you know ... I find these things out.”
“It was Alice, right?”
“Yeah,” she laughs. “Was it that obvious?”
“I know what my sister’s like. She can’t leave anything alone, just like my mum,” I offer, swishing my hand backward and forward.
My eyes are fixed on Libby as Holli launches into an endless ramble about how she and my sister are peas in a pod. I’m listening ... kind of. But I’m more focused on watching Libby’s every move, facial expression and sound. There have been a couple of eye rolls and light scoffs over the few minutes I’ve been talking to Holli, but it’s nothing I shouldn’t have expected.
Because, believe it or not, deep down I know she’s jealous. She won’t admit it, but I’ve seen these reactions before. When we used to go out after work to the pub or into town, she’d give me funny looks if I spoke to anybody with a pair of tits and a bright smile. They are the same looks I’m getting right now. Tight, pressed lips and dark, narrowed eyes. I know a jealous glare when I see one, and Libby’s is a masterpiece.
“I think we should meet-up sometime,” Holli drops casually into the conversation. “It’d be nice to see you again. I mean, if you aren’t busy or anything today, could you do dinner?”
“Let me check with my assistant, but dinner does sound good. I know a lovely little Tapas place I could take you to,” I reply, leaning back in my chair. My hand taps gently against my thigh as I watch the ever morphing expressions on Libby’s face.
“Tapas will be great. Just let me know when you’re free. I’ll catch up with you later, Alex.”
“Bye.”
Disconnecting the call and putting my phone on the desk, I bridge my fingers together over my chest and wait for the questions I have no doubt will materialise.
“Who was that?”
Bingo. I knew it wouldn’t take her long. She never was one to keep her nose out of other people’s business.
I shrug. “And that’s relevant to you because ...”
“I was only asking.”
“It’s none of your business.”
Libby rolls her eyes. “Jeez. Fine. I won’t ask anything.”
“She’s a friend,” I throw out into the open after she’s understood my point about being nosy.
Which is absolutely true. Holli is nothing but a friend to me. She’s my sister’s friend. Not mine. We don’t share any personal feelings at all.
And probably never will.
I know the dangers of becoming too close to women. I’ve been burned badly once before, and I won’t let it happen to me again. They’re useful for one thing and one thing only in my eyes.
Keep telling yourself that.
My mind feels truly fucked up.
I know this, but I don’t ever freely admit it. I’ve struggled to trust any woman since Libby. Everything was placed on lockdown where it’s stayed since that fateful day; the day that fuels me and sparks the driving
“Habit.” I shrug. “And because I can.”
Libby scoffs. “Maybe seven or eight years ago, but I’m afraid times have changed. And if you remember right, I’m not yours anymore.” She looks hastily around the room before lowering her voice to a hushed whisper. “We’re divorced , Alex.”
That word used to cut me like a knife, but not anymore. I’m immune to it. My mind is numb. But it won’t stop me from taking what I want. Whether it’s her, or her company, I won’t stop. Ever.
“We’re going to lunch—”
My phone interrupts me, which pisses me off. Picking it up from the desk, I notice the unknown number on my display. I’m not usually one for answering unknown numbers, but lately I’ve noticed my Business Advisor calling from one.
Bringing the phone to my ear, I answer briskly with, “Alex Lewis speaking.”
“Alex.” I instantly recognise the voice.
“Holli.” I smile and watch Libby bristling at her desk. “How did you get my number?” Alice no doubt, but I want to keep this going as long as I can. It was perfect timing for her to call.
“Well, you know ... I find these things out.”
“It was Alice, right?”
“Yeah,” she laughs. “Was it that obvious?”
“I know what my sister’s like. She can’t leave anything alone, just like my mum,” I offer, swishing my hand backward and forward.
My eyes are fixed on Libby as Holli launches into an endless ramble about how she and my sister are peas in a pod. I’m listening ... kind of. But I’m more focused on watching Libby’s every move, facial expression and sound. There have been a couple of eye rolls and light scoffs over the few minutes I’ve been talking to Holli, but it’s nothing I shouldn’t have expected.
Because, believe it or not, deep down I know she’s jealous. She won’t admit it, but I’ve seen these reactions before. When we used to go out after work to the pub or into town, she’d give me funny looks if I spoke to anybody with a pair of tits and a bright smile. They are the same looks I’m getting right now. Tight, pressed lips and dark, narrowed eyes. I know a jealous glare when I see one, and Libby’s is a masterpiece.
“I think we should meet-up sometime,” Holli drops casually into the conversation. “It’d be nice to see you again. I mean, if you aren’t busy or anything today, could you do dinner?”
“Let me check with my assistant, but dinner does sound good. I know a lovely little Tapas place I could take you to,” I reply, leaning back in my chair. My hand taps gently against my thigh as I watch the ever morphing expressions on Libby’s face.
“Tapas will be great. Just let me know when you’re free. I’ll catch up with you later, Alex.”
“Bye.”
Disconnecting the call and putting my phone on the desk, I bridge my fingers together over my chest and wait for the questions I have no doubt will materialise.
“Who was that?”
Bingo. I knew it wouldn’t take her long. She never was one to keep her nose out of other people’s business.
I shrug. “And that’s relevant to you because ...”
“I was only asking.”
“It’s none of your business.”
Libby rolls her eyes. “Jeez. Fine. I won’t ask anything.”
“She’s a friend,” I throw out into the open after she’s understood my point about being nosy.
Which is absolutely true. Holli is nothing but a friend to me. She’s my sister’s friend. Not mine. We don’t share any personal feelings at all.
And probably never will.
I know the dangers of becoming too close to women. I’ve been burned badly once before, and I won’t let it happen to me again. They’re useful for one thing and one thing only in my eyes.
Keep telling yourself that.
My mind feels truly fucked up.
I know this, but I don’t ever freely admit it. I’ve struggled to trust any woman since Libby. Everything was placed on lockdown where it’s stayed since that fateful day; the day that fuels me and sparks the driving
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