He nods again.
“I’m going to work. I will see you later.” I bend and kiss him gently on the cheek and he lies still. He must be really sore, he isn’t even joking about naughty nurses.
“Bye babe,” he whispers croakily and then rolls over and closes his eyes.
Hmm, figures, I beg him to stay in bed with me all weekend and now on a Wednesday because it suits him he is staying at home in bed, so typical.
It’s official, operation slim down is damn boring. “What will it be?” the cashier asks me.
I smile as I look at the coffee list on the blackboard on the far wall. “Damn it, I’m going to be naughty. Can I have a caramel latte with one sugar and a cinnamon scroll please?” It’s Friday, I’ve finished work for the day and have called over to see the girls I worked with at SSAC. I’m not meeting them for half an hour so I called in here to fill in the time. I haven’t been to this coffee shop before as it’s out of the way. I sit at the bar bench and read a magazine as I wait for my order.
“Order for Natasha,” the cashier calls. I take my order and am on my way out of the café when I catch sight of Joshua sitting in the corner of the café with Adrian and … that bitch from the wedding. Is he kidding? How is he still in contact with her? My blood boils and I march over.
“Hello,” I stammer.
Joshua looks up and his eyes widen in shock. “Tash … baby.” He stands immediately. “Join us.” He pulls out a chair.
I fake a smile. “Adrian.” My eyes shoot to Dolly Parton and she smiles broadly. I glare at Joshua who of course is looking his sensational best. Why does he have to be so fucking good looking? I fall into the seat uncomfortably.
“This is Tatiana.” Joshua introduces her way too quickly.
“We’ve met.” I smile a little too sweetly at him as I am reminded of why I called her Tittiana on our first meeting. His face drops. He was hoping I didn’t remember who she was … bastard.
“Tatiana works with us on this new job we are doing,” he stammers nervously.
Oh, this is just great. “Really?” I smile. “How nice.”
My eyes flick to Adrian and he smiles knowingly.
“Yes, what a coincidence. I didn’t know she worked for this company. Did I Adrian?” Joshua is talking at double speed. Busted, asshole.
“Right.” I drop my head as fury starts to pump. We have discussed his work on numerous occasions and he hasn’t mentioned this once.
He puts his hand on my lap and grabs my hand. I smile sweetly. You are one sneaky son of a bitch.
“So lovely to finally meet you Natasha,” Tatiana purrs. “I’ve heard all about the woman who has finally tamed Joshua.”
Ha. What a joke! “I bet you have,” I purr.
I fake a smile at her as my eyes flick to Joshua who has started to perspire. Adrian smiles broadly and winks at me. He’s loving this.
“So how long have you been married?” she asks. My eyes drop to her enormous breasts. Good grief does anyone at all look at her face, she must wear a back brace under her clothing.
Huh, my eyes widen. Joshua squeezes my hand as I try to rip it from his gorilla grip.
“We are not married,” I snap. I hold out my hand. “I don’t see a ring on this finger … do you?”
She frowns at Joshua. “But I thought you said?” He coughs uncomfortably
“I bet you have,” I smile sarcastically. “Joshua’s stories get a little exaggerated sometimes and then on other times he totally leaves things out altogether, don’t you honey?” I raise my eyebrows.
Joshua sculls his coffee to escape my glare.
“I have to get going, lovely to see you again.” I smile at her as I stand.
Joshua stands. “I’ll walk you out.”
“Not necessary,” I smile. “See you later.” I storm out of the café with him hot on my heels.
“Seriously, Josh, go back inside,” I sigh.
“Natasha,” he snaps. “What was that about?”
I smile sweetly as I boil with anger on the inside, what an asshole. How could he not tell me about working with her? Act calm. Act calm, act fucking calm. I frown. “What are you talking about, Joshua?”
“Where are you going?” he asks as he grabs my hand.
“Out with my friends. I told you.”
He rolls his lips as he contemplates saying something.
“What is it you want to say Joshua?” I raise a brow in question.
“I didn’t tell you I worked with her because I knew you would lose your shit.” His eyes stay firmly on mine.
I smile. “Always thinking of me.” I pull from his grip. “How thoughtful you are, no my shit is completely together,” I sneer.
He narrows his eyes at me. “I’ll be over around eight?” he replies as he leans in and kisses my cheek.
“I look forward to it,” I reply. I walk back to my car with a red glow shooting from my ears. He has got to be joking.
My phone dances silently around the table. “Are you not even going to answer it?” Bridget frowns.
“No.” I screw up my face as I drink the last of my margarita. “I’m off him, he can go to hell.” We are at the Cargo Bar. I’ve ditched Joshua. I didn’t even tell him I was going out. This is the fifth time my phone has rung in fifteen minutes.
“Who is this chick anyway?” Abbie asks. “You could take her.”
I nod. “Totally, but if he thinks I’m going to be a mushroom and kept in the dark for the rest of my life he can think again. Our whole relationship is one-way traffic. His fucking way and I’m over it.”
The girls both nod as they listen.
“I told him I wouldn’t be his booty call and yet I am.” I take a drink. “I constantly open up to him and tell him I love him like a pathetic schoolgirl and yet he says nothing back. Every damn night he turns up at eight o’clock and it is just assumed that we will have awesome sex all night.”
Abbie glances at Bridget. “Yeah, sounds totally shit.”
Bridget laughs into her drink and I giggle. “It is.”
They both shake their heads at me. “So, let’s get this straight, you are annoyed because he comes around to your house every night and gives you awesome sex without complications.” Abbie frowns.
I nod. “Basically.”
“God, I wish, where do I find a man like this?” Abbie sighs. Bridget giggles and clinks glasses with her. The group of young guys we know are here and bound over to the table. “Let’s dance.” They start to groove on the spot. The girls both stand and move to the dance floor and I stay seated. “I’m not dancing,” I sigh.
“Yeah, me neither,” replies the young one with the curly brown hair.
“Where have you been? You haven’t been here for weeks,” he asks.