*****

I wake to sunlight streaming over the bed. My view is blocked by Ryan, standing over me, offering me a mug.

“You like coffee on a morning?” he asks.

“I sit up to take the mug from him. “It’s one of the food groups.” I grin.

When was the last time I woke up in a man’s bed?

He sits by me, sipping from his own cup. He doesn’t speak, but repeatedly, his glance strays my way before he looks away again, smiling.

The obvious question finally looms. “What time is it?”

“Ten to eight.”

“Jeez! I’ll be late to work!”

“Hey, calm down. I’ll drive you there.”

“I can’t go like this….”

“The shower’s through there….”

As it is, Ryan delivers me on squealing wheels to Haswell Building at two minutes to nine,

And as I swipe my entry card, James Alexanders is coming in right behind me. He must have seen Ryan drop me off and he wears the kind of half-smile that says he knows exactly why I am wearing yesterday’s blouse and a rapidly painted-on expression of dignity.

“Morning, Kirstie.”

“Morning Mr Alexanders.”

*****

That evening, walking the dogs on the beach, Ben jogs up to me, and Scruffy barges in to meet up with my canine gang again.

“Hi.” he puffs, bending to rest hands on knees for a minute as he catches his breath. “How are you? Great to see you again.”

“I’m fine.” In truth, I am a little uncomfortable. The speed, and for that matter, the direction in which my ‘relationship’ with Ben is progressing is unnerving me. He seems to believe that we are a lot closer than I do, and I am not at all sure that I want to take things with him any further.

What’s a safe topic of conversation?

Oh, yes….

“I was surprised when I met Charlotte at work and realised who she is. You and your brother aren’t much alike, are you?”

He frowns. “Sorry? You’ve met my brother?”

“Yes, I saw him with Charlotte in the lobby a few days ago.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that. He must have been picking her up.”

“Er, no. They were on their way out actually. I would never have taken the pair of you for brothers….”

“I don’t think we’re that unalike, are we? I know he’s a lot blonder than I am….”

Blonder?

“No, the man I saw was dark; much darker-haired than you. “

He shakes his head. “Mike’s blond, very blond. He looks like something from a toothpaste advert. You know, the kind with the sunshine-healthy family, all corn-fed, and eating wheat germ and yoghurt.”

Mike….? Not James then….

Time to tread carefully….

Charlotte with a tall dark-haired guy and

saw. It was the Haswells. Beth Haswell is the spit ‘n image of Charlotte, and

my mistake

shut my

on whirring red-hot axles. The Charlotte I met was certainly the same girl I saw

for changing

“She seems nice.”

“I suppose.” Ben shrugs.

Doesn’t he like her?

very pretty isn’t

certainly thinks so.

out laughing. “You don’t

eyes slide sideways. “I

*****

man enters the

sinks as

Oh, God. It’s him….

friend from the Club. Am I going to be

This could be embarrassing.

gaze sweeping past me as

slows, turns and looks back at me,

pauses. “Sorry to seem rude, but

yes. We met two or three years

stares blankly at me for a moment, then his face clears. With the most charming of smiles, he stabs a finger at me. “Debbie. That was it, wasn’t

blush rises up my face again. I tap my lapel badge. Moving closer, he peers in and grins. “Ah, Kirstie.” He laughs. “I see. Nice to meet you

looking man fucking my brains out in a threesome with his friend at a

to check with anyone if you have an appointment or

you’re new. No, don’t worry. They know me here. I’m just

your friend said

met him

just the

grins. “Was he

He

a good man; one of

cut him in half, it’d say ‘Dom’ running right through

there. Gotta go Kirstie. See you around.” He heads back to the lifts, turning back as the doors open,

What a great guy….

Shame he got married….

*****

could go to the staff canteen; the facilities are very good. But I prefer to get out for a while

I’m halfway through my lunch, staring into space and

carrying a tray loaded with

brightly. “Hi,” she says. “Mind if

at all.” I shuffle up my chair to make space as she

thought we might as well take the opportunity to get to know each other, since it looks as though we’re going to be

“Sure…. er….”

over her coffee.

chew over my words. What can I

the right way. I know Ben’s your brother-in-law, but I barely

barely know him? He’s not shut up about you whenever

of dates. Please don’t get the wrong impression about where we are with each

“I don’t think it’s my impression that you

comes from above

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255