AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I take a sip of coffee.
Uh-uh. No matter which way I turn it, something just doesn’t sit right with me. My gut’s telling me that something’s off,but what? Why can’t I get Jessica’s face out of my head? Why can’t I forget how excited she’d been that day she came out of Nick’s office? The way her eyes sparkled, the way she tossed her hair and gushed about how fabulous he was?
And that’s when it hits me.
Nick said Jessica cancelled her treatment because she wasn’t happy with their progress. Fair enough. But this doesn’t fit with the way she’d behaved the night I saw her. She’d seemed giddy, elated, and had even said she’d recommend Nick to her friends; not the actions of someone ready to throw in the towel. Add to this Nick’s charisma, his incredible sex appeal, and ability to turn most women’s heads, and I very much doubt she would have been the one to end their association.
No. Either Nick’s playing down his involvement to spare my feelings, or he’s lying for some other reason. True, I don’t have a whole lot to go on, just a woman’s intuition, but it’s never failed me in the past.
I take another sip of coffee and chew the inside of my cheek.
I keep telling myself to get a grip, to stop being so negative about things. This is self-sabotage, pure and simple. What right do I have to pass judgment on Nick’s response to the tragedy? Okay, so I find his coolness a little disconcerting, but he’s still the kindest, sweetest guy I know. And he loves me.I know he loves me. So what if he’s being a little economical with the truth? So what if he seems a little detached? I’m sure he has my best interests at heart, so he must be behaving this way for a reason. Perhaps he’s privately grieving for Jessica. Perhaps he doesn’t want to show his true feelings and is putting on a brave face for my sake.
Reaching in my bag, I pull out a packet of Thurlax and take my second tablet of the day. Then my phone beeps. Flipping it open, I see a text from Ronan inviting me for drinks in Soho after work. I’m about to decline when suddenly, I check myself. What am I doing? Maybe some time with my friend is just what I need to loosen up and help gain some perspective on things. Plus, there’s plenty of time to kill before Nick finishes work, so hooking up with Ronan slots into my agenda perfectly.
I message him back, tell him where to meet, then finish my coffee and head back to the office, feeling slightly less agitated.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Doubt
“So, basically,” Ronan says through a cloud of smoke, “my new manager’s a complete bastard. Old queen, of course. Walks around like he’s got a pineapple stuck up his arse. He’s had it in for me right from the word go, and since his arrival, I can do nothing right.”
“Why don’t you take out a grievance against him?” I suggest.
Ronan shakes his head. “It’s not that simple. A lot of what he does is subtle. I’ll give you an example. Last week, he said it was okay for me to come to work late on Fridays. Then at the staff meeting, he has a right go at me in front of everyone for coming in late! When I reminded him of our conversation, he pretended it never happened, making me look a complete fool.”
“Gosh, he sounds terrible. You should start keeping a diary of everything that happens, just so you’ve got yourself covered if it ever goes to a tribunal.”
“Damn right, I will. I’ll even tape record the bugger if I have to. Carly, I’ve given that company six years of my life.Six years!I’m telling you, I won’t go down without a fight. If they want me out, fine, but they’d better have a big, fat redundancy cheque waiting for me.”
I nod silently, but I’m only partially listening. Images of Jessica keep popping into my head, and I’m finding it very difficult to remain calm. I’m trying to engage in the present moment; trying to keep focused on bright things, happy things, but she just won’t let me be.
We’re sitting outside our favourite Soho coffee shop, sipping lattes in the gathering twilight. Ronan lights another cigarette, the glow from the match illuminating his face like a Jack o' Lantern. He cocks his head back and blows smoke toward me.
“Want one?” he asks, proffering the packet.
I hold up my hands defensively. “No, thanks. I told you, I’ve quit.”
“Well done, you. To be honest, babe, I didn’t think you’d stick it out, but it looks like I was wrong.”
“Thanks.” I hesitate, stirring the spoon in my latte. “Actually, I’ve got something to tell you. I’ve met someone.”
His brows lift questioningly. “You’ve met someone?”
“Uh-huh. I mean, like as in a boyfriend.”
Ronan mouths a silent “O.” Then he grins mischievously. “So, tell me something I don’t know.”
I blink at him. “You knew?”
“Of course.”
“How?”
“Your whole aura’s changed. The light is back in your eyes. It’s like I’ve got the old Carly back, and I knew, I justknewit had to be a man. Plus, you haven’t mentioned Andrew once, which is nothing short of a miracle.”
“Are you angry I didn’t tell you sooner?”
