AllFreeNovel
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I peel the back and lift a crisp white piece of cardboard out.
Thinking of you...
I smile, lifting the tray and carrying it into the bathroom, where I place it on the side of the marble vanity. I half fill a glass of champagne and grab the bowl of strawberries, carrying them to the edge of the bath. Back in the warm water, I reach for my phone once more and call him.
‘Well, that was a nice surprise.’
‘You should always have a glass of champagne to hand. Or breast.’
Heat fills my cheeks.
‘Only when you’re around to distribute it.’
I can hear him laughing.
‘I did offer...’
‘Well, now I’m tempted,’ I joke.
‘I’m happy to come over...’
God, he’s persistent. Like I’m not completely flattered by that. Still, this is about proving a point to myself. I shake my head with true regret. ‘Tomorrow. I have to catch up on work.’
‘You can’t see me right now but my face is very sad.’
‘Your poor face. I’ll kiss it better tomorrow.’
‘Other parts of me are wounded too.’
I laugh, sipping the champagne. ‘I’ll kiss them too. Maybe while your hands are tied to the bed with the Christmas tie.’
‘My hands? That’s not quite what I had in mind...’
‘Trust me. You’ll enjoy it.’
‘I do trust you.’
I pause, something zapping through me. I stare at the screen, a dryness forming in my mouth. I don’t know how to reply.
I put the phone down and reach for a strawberry. It’s sweet, perfectly ripe. Juice dribbles down my chin. I imagine how Zach would be staring at it if he were here and a strange lurching sensation rolls through my gut. I arrange the bubbles of my bath around my breasts so that only a hint of cleavage can be seen and reach for my phone. As an afterthought, I lift the champagne to my lips then take a selfie.
I send it to him with the caption: Cheers!
You’re killing me, Jessica Johnson.
A second later.
Is that pink in your hair?
I can’t stop smiling. I smooth some of the bubbles away so considerably more of my cleavage is on display and a little more of my hair then snap another photo. I don’t caption it, just hit ‘send’.
A second later, my phone rings. I swipe it before realising it’s a video call, but then Zach’s face is staring back at me. ‘What are you trying to do to me?’ he complains.
I stare at the screen for several beats, trying to rally my brain into sensible action.
‘I’m just having a bath,’ I say with mock innocence.
‘You’re tormenting me.’
