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

tone again. “Sorry bestie. I don’t mean to be hard or horrible it’s just that I want this to succeed as much as you do but it won’t if she finds out. Maybe once the business is well

says.

a bit longer before we end the call. I’m satisfied that I’ve smoothed things over with Lara

that little upstart but she’ll never have to find

I’m early as always. Get there first and control the meeting. That’s my motto. Or one

I walk into the lounge a voice behind me calls my

Grady.

over beige trousers. The jacket fits him perfectly and I can still see

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

should be angry but 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

see here,” he says. His voice is soft but rough at the same time. God, I remember what that voice

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 it obvious and his eyes skip to

Rick at all. I have

it looks like I’m about to get a second chance with Grady. What he doesn’t know is that this time he won’t

you doing

business meeting. What are you doing

here for an

“Interview? What for?”

in an energy startup as a

long are

enough. He’s hoping

away all control before we’ve begun and believe me I’m going to start where we