Choosing Her Lover

Chapter 13

*****

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….

it must be my mistake. I saw Charlotte with a tall dark-haired guy and assumed

his fingers. “I know who you saw. It was the Haswells. Beth Haswell

Definitely my

to shut my

axles. The Charlotte I met was certainly the

opt for changing

“She seems nice.”

“I suppose.” Ben shrugs.

Doesn’t he like her?

pretty

Mike certainly thinks so. She’s a bit er….

burst out laughing. “You

slide sideways. “I prefer

*****

man enters the lobby. He is

heart sinks as I recognise

Oh, God. It’s him….

from the Club. Am I going

This could be embarrassing.

his brilliantly blue-eyed gaze sweeping past me as

doors, he abruptly slows, turns

“Sorry to seem rude,

three years ago. You were with

moment, then his face clears. With the most charming of smiles, he

he peers in and grins. “Ah, Kirstie.” He laughs. “I see. Nice to meet you Kirstie.” He taps his nose. “Kirstie. I’ll

something to say that is not related to this amazing looking man fucking

anyone if you have an appointment or

worry. They know me here.

your friend said that you’d

met

the other

he grins. “Was

yes. He was

hear it. He’s a good man; one

you cut him in half, it’d say

to the lifts, turning back as the doors open, and waving. “I’m Michael by

What a great guy….

Shame he got married….

*****

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

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

carrying a tray loaded

says.

make space as she

might as well take the

“Sure…. er….”

eyes me over her

chew over my words. What can

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

He’s not shut up about

and had a couple of dates. Please don’t

think it’s my

comes from above us.

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