Page 50 of Mister Curb Appeal
There’s nothing you could say to me that would make any difference. Leave me alone!
Unknown
Please Lexi. There are things to say
I huff. Unable to even contemplate who the hell she thinks she is. And popping up out of the blue like this is clearly some kind of pathetic attempt to get back into my good graces.
That’s never going to happen.
Me
I have nothing to say to you, goodbye
I click out of the message and close my phone, not wanting to see anymore. I don’t want anything upsetting my time with my mom and Megs, and I honestly don’t see what could be so important now. No one from my past is going to unravel what I’ve worked so hard for over this past year to get over what happened. The unorchestrated attempt to get back into my life — for whatever reason — mainly to unrattle me, is pathetic. Instead, I take a breath and continue the hot chocolate making. Putting it to the back of my mind and focusing on the task at hand; if I have enough tinsel to get through Christmas, is all that matters right now.
And Julia is not going to disrupt it.
I’m meeting Josh for drinks downtown after work tonight. Hopefully, it will be another repeat of last night, which involves laying with a relaxing glass of wine in his soaker tub, his body wrapped around me as we talked about our day. He has a two bedroom town house with a loft and it’s close to his father in Brentwood. It’s all soft furnishings, wood floors, high beams and masculine textures, but it suits him. He’s definitely made it his own, and I’m enjoying being in his space, getting to know him even more.
When I glance around the wine bar, I quickly see Josh hasn’t arrived yet, so I walk to the ladies’ room to straighten out my hair from the wind that almost blew me in. I also have to make a quick call to Ali about a couple of things we didn’t get to discussbefore she left the office. We’re listing a beautiful place in Malibu and I’ve organized the photoshoot and staging.
After I touch up my lipstick, and deciding there’s not much I can do about my crazy hair, I walk out the adjoining side door to the undercover alfresco area while I wait for Josh. I flick him a text that I’m here and I’m just outside calling Ali while I wait for him.
Nothing like multitasking while I wait.
It’s only ten minutes later when I walk back inside and I see Josh coming in the side entry. He’s on his cell and mine immediately pings with a text.
Josh
Sorry babe. I’m here now
I smile, watching him walk up to the bar, looking dapper in a dark blue suit and a green tie with Christmas trees all over it. I bought it for him when I stopped off for more tinsel the other day. Contrary to what my mom and Megs believe, I didn’t have nearly enough.
My smile quickly falters though when I see a beautiful brunette sitting on a bar stool right next to where he stands. My heart hammers like a warning bell in a freaking storm. Oh, no. This can’t be happening.
It’s Julia. Freaking Julia!
Her dark chocolate eyes widen with interest as she watches my boyfriend. Her lips move as she says something, and it gives me some satisfaction that he barely spares her a glance as he looks down at his phone.
What the hell is she doing here?
It takes me a few moments to register, and even though I feel sick to my stomach and a little weak at the knees, I know what I have to do.
I purse my lips and straighten my back, then stride towards the bar.
Chapter Twenty-Three
JOSHUA
“I’d give more than a penny for your thoughts,” the voice next to me sounds more like a purr than a usual sound. It kinda takes me by surprise as I glance sideways to a long dark haired woman holding a large wineglass by the stem.
I direct my eyes back to my screen to see if Lexi has replied yet, but put my cell back down when I see she hasn’t. “Could be a waste of a penny,” I reply, signaling over to the bartender, who’s just finished making two cocktails across the far side of the pricey but ambient wine bar. “My thoughts are just on a good glass of Shiraz and my beautiful girlfriend.” I emphasize the last part.
“I’m sure I can keep you company until she gets?—”
I feel two hands around my waist as the woman’s voice trails off. I turn slightly to look over my shoulder and smile when I see Lexi. She let me know earlier in the day she was heading in straight from work. My eyes coast over her beautiful, vibrant, peach colored pant suit. Her golden curls bounce from being tied up in a high ponytail, a matching piece of ribbon wrapped around the base.
“Baby.” The words are barely out of my mouth before she spins me around to face her and lifts onto her tippy toes, one hand grabbing my tie and the other rolling over my butt cheek.
