Choosing Her Lover

He lets out a long sigh, stares at the ceiling, then waves me to a chair. “Why don’t you sit down? You look as if you’re going to fall down.”

I sit and he pours me a glass of water. “Go on,” he says, but the edge has gone from his voice.

“Then he said that he’d seen the two of you…. you and Charlotte…. he said….”

“Alright, I know what he said there…. Carry on.”

I look him in the eye for just a second, then look away. “Mr Alexanders…. I’d already figured it out, about the three of you. I’ve seen you together and your rings and….”

“Yes, I gathered that last night. So….”

“Ben was furious, incandescent. He said he was going to come here and make sure you didn’t go near his brother’s wife again…. I think was intending to threaten you.”

He snorts, and just for a moment, I hear the humour there at this unlikely possibility.

I don’t see this one being scared by Ben….

He barks a short, humourless laugh. “So, what on earth possessed you to tell him that you met me and Michael at the Club? Why would you tell him something like that? A man like Ben? And under those circumstances?”

I hang my head again. “I’m not sure. I really didn’t mean to. It just sort of came out. By the time we were at your house, I was pretty wound up. I wasn’t thinking straight. I’d been thinking for a while that I should wind things up with him, that I’m not being fair to him but there never seemed to be the right time.”

“I think events may have overtaken you on that, Kirstie. I rather suspect Ben won’t be wanting to see you again.”

I nod gloomily. “I didn’t want to do it like this, though. He’s a decent guy. He just doesn’t….” I fight back the tears that threaten to well up again. “I’m sorry. I really was trying to help.”

looks sympathetic now. Perhaps

“Vanilla man?” he asks.

“Mmm, yes.”

were you seeing Ben? Michael tells me you’re still going to the clubs.

with my dogs. He…. courted me. It’s years since anyone did

looks askance at

“Yes, he is sweet.”

is sweet your

Arrogant bastard!

temper finally overtakes my guilt

I

he looks taller when he

so’s Michael, but he’s a bit less obvious about it. But you…. you walk through that lobby behind Charlotte like you’ve got her on reins. If you’re in a situation where it matters that

tilts, his

I say something

for the office….” he

three of you all have rings. Do you really think other people wouldn’t see it, even if they reach the wrong conclusion? They understand her wearing Michael’s ring. After all, he’s the one

stares at me,

given the rope to

you know. You could cool down

supposed

I feel like I'm being interrogated by a movie villain. You know, the tall immaculately dressed one that’s utter evil and speaks with a perfect English

facade cracks. He bursts out laughing. “I’m sorry, Kirstie. Do I