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I looked around, paranoid about colleagues since we were just a stone’s throw from the office. “He’s not my boss, not really.”
“So, itishim,” she grinned. “I’m assuming he doesn’t have heads in his fridge, then?”
“I haven’t seen his fridge, but the signs are good.” If only she knew.
“I’m happy for you, honest I am.” She stared into her coffee, an uncharacteristic quietness taking hold.
“But?” I added for her. “What did you really come here for?” I folded my arms, waiting.
“Well, your news kind of makes mine redundant, but I figure I’ll tell you anyway,” she said. “It’s about Stuart.”
My stomach knotted, his name an unwelcome sound. “What about Stuart?”
She sighed. “He’s been round, a lot, desperate to see you.”
“So? Shouldn’t he be at home with the mother-to-be? Tell him to get stuffed.”
“That’s the thing... she isn’t there. He isn’t even sure the baby is his, she admitted as much to him. Seems he isn’t the only contender for biological father status.”
My blood froze in my veins. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because he misses you, Lyddie. Honest, he does. He was round every night until we finally let him in, now he hardly leaves, just spends his time moping over you.”
“He needs to move on, I have.”
“Have you, really? It’s only been weeks.”
“Months. It’s been months,” I snapped.
“Barely.”
“What happened tohe’s a motherfucking jerk?Hecheated onme, remember?”
“I know he did! But he feels awful for it, Lyds, I promise you. He was a jerk, an absolute jerk, but he knows that. He’s desperate to make it up, hun, he really loves you.”
“Love doesn’t do that, it doesn’t sleep around in an alleyway at a work conference.”
“I can’t argue with that, but I promise you, the guy’s crazy about you. Maybe it was just a stupid mistake?”
“Have you heard yourself?” I spat. “Maybeit wasjusta stupid mistake? He fucked some little slut and got her pregnant...”
“Maybe.”
“Oh, piss off, Steph, of course he did. It’s totally over.”
She looked crestfallen, and it annoyed the shit out of me. “Ok, I’m sorry. I thought I’d try. You two were good together.”
“We weren’t good together. Honestly, my eyes have been well and truly opened. I’ve never been happier.”
She broke the tension with a smile. “And this is because of suit man, is it? This spring in your step?”
“He’s part of it. Asmallpart of it.”
“Or all of it,” she let out a low laugh. “I never saw this coming, Lyddie Marsh, I really didn’t.” She leant in close across the table. “So, tell me... is he, you know... is he good?”
At that exact moment I saw James’ outline stroll past the window on the street outside. His hair was wild in the wind, face flushed from his hour at the gym. I lowered my head, avoiding any chance of eye contact. My skin tingled with life, excitement blooming in my stomach.
“He’s better than good,” I grinned. “He’s goddamn-fucking amazing.”
