Page 129 of Stanton Unconditional

“Do you think that I honestly love Natasha?”

He smiles as he puts his hand on my shoulder. “Without a doubt. What’s going on?”

“Tatiana said that I give off a vibe that I’m a player and she knows that I could never be loyal to one woman. Do you believe that?”

He smiles warmly. “Josh, men play around till they meet the right person. Don’t beat yourself up because you have had fun for the last seven years. Why are you bringing this up now?”

“I just don’t understand why.” I shrug, unable to articulate what I want to say.

“Why Tash pushes you away?” he asks, and I nod.

“Joshua, you are one of the most eligible bachelors in the world, good looking, built like a gorilla, rich as hell. And for someone like Natasha who is so quintessentially Australian and so down to earth, it would be hard to take all that on. I actually don’t know how I would handle it either. I think she does an amazing job at handling your life by refusing to give into it and it’s a learning curve for her as well, I think. It’s the man you are from now on that counts. You always say you want to be a loyal husband.”

I look at my computer screen and nod.

He pats me on the shoulder. “Tonight, you did just that.” He smiles broadly.

I give him a sad smile and huff. “And I’m not even fucking married.”

He laughs out loud and I shake my head in disbelief.

My phone rings and I look at the screen, Presh. I smile.

“Hi Tash,” I answer. Adrian smiles and pats me on the shoulder as he leaves the room.

“Hi baby,” she breathes down the phone.

“I didn’t get to call you yet,” I smile into the silence of the office.

“That’s okay. Are you busy? Shall I let you go?” she breathes down the phone.

“No, all good. Are you at your Mum’s?” I ask.

“Ahuh.” The phone goes silent. “Thank you for worrying about me,” she whispers.

My heart melts. “That’s okay.” She can be so damn beautiful when she wants to be.

“What time are you finishing?” she asks. I look at my watch. “About three I think.”

“Do you want to come over to Mum’s when you finish work and stay here with me? Mum said it would be ok.”

I frown. “Tash, I…don’t think.” She cuts me off.

“It’s just, I really wanted you to be the first person I see tomorrow.”

I melt again. “You won’t be awake then,” I whisper as I smile. “Text me when you are on your way and I will open the door for you. I just want to see you.”

I melt again. Adorable. “Okay, I will text you when I’m close.” “Okay, I love you.” I can hear that she’s smiling, she hangs up.

I blow out a breath and sit back in my seat. I put my hands behind my head as I think.

Decision time.

What’s it going to be Stan…Yes or No?

Natasha

Beep, beep. My phone beeps a text. I roll over sleepily and pick up my phone from the side table.