Cold Feet

CHRISTINE

“Lara,” I say as I answer the phone. “Has she arrived?”

“Well good day to you too,” Lara says feigning disappointment when I don’t ask how she is. “She has arrived. You won’t believe it.”

“What?” I ask sitting forward and hoping to hear another scrap of information I can use against Viola.

“I offered her our family apartment until she gets her salary and pay the deposit on her own place. The poor girl burst out sobbing in my office. It was heartbreaking to see how much she appreciated the help I gave her. This is truly one of the best things we have ever done, girl.”

I roll my eyes. I was hoping for something to use against Viola. You’ll have to be careful with Lara, I tell myself. She may be your best friend, but she’s gone all goody-two-shoes on you on this one.

“That’s great. I knew she would appreciate it.”

“You really should think of letting her know.”

I sit forward in my chair. “Lara,” my tone hardens.

“Yes?” she replies sounding as if she’s been slapped.

“Under no circumstances is she to know. You feel great because of the good we’ve done right?”

“Absolutely, I was…”

“Some people can be happy not letting it be known that they’ve helped someone else okay? If ever I feel that she will put the past behind us, then I might tell her. If you tell her I’m involved she will walk away, I promise you. And then all the good you feel so good about having done today, will be gone.”

Lara says sounding a bit

to succeed as much as you do but it won’t if she finds out. Maybe once the business is well established we can inform her. When she has something to lose if she gives it

Lara says.

I’m satisfied that I’ve smoothed things over with Lara and that we’re

truth about me and that little upstart but she’ll never have to

daughter’s wedding. I’m

into the lounge a voice behind me calls my name. I turn around and

Grady.

that self assured, ‘nothing can stop me’ smile and he smiling it right now. He’s wearing a light brown sports jacket over beige trousers. The jacket fits him perfectly and I can still see his fantastic build under it. His blue eyes seem to loom right into me, to the depths of my soul and I’m pretty damn sure right then he can see all my memories of him and I flash through my mind. He doesn’t look a day older

short but not too short. I can still run my fingers through it, maybe grab it with passion. I feel myself flush with

I can’t be. I could never not forgive him. He could do anything and I would live with it. He is my weakness, my drug, my

rough at the same time. God, I remember what that voice did to me. It

all I can come up with in my state of shock. His eyes take me in and I let them caress me. I note how he checks my left hand. I know he’s looking for a ring. I make it easier for him to see I’m not wearing a ring without making

right, I think. No ring. I’m still free. I don’t think of Rick at all. I have other plans for him and long

mine panned perfectly. I’ve got Rick where I want him and it looks like I’m about to get a second chance with Grady. What he doesn’t know is that this time

you doing here?”

meeting. What

here for

“Interview? What for?”

an

How long are

to me says enough. He’s hoping that I’ll join him. He wants me. His eyes

before we’ve begun and believe me I’m going