Page 66 of Chasing Storm
I snort with undisguised mirth before I press my lips together. “Sorry, I know someone called Sadie, and she is not as likeable as a Cockapoo.”
Which is not saying much.
Miriam snickers which makes me think she knowsexactlywho I’m talking about.
I know then that despite the nepotism, I’ve made the right choice coming here while I get back on my feet.
I settle in at my desk and begin to go through the daily routine. I answer the phones occasionally, make my way through the massive stack of invoicing and generally try to be as helpful as possible to Miriam, who is efficient and organised, easy to get along with and generally a delight to work with.
Soon, I forget all about JP’s betrayal and the other guys as I get lost in my first day in a new job, which goes by surprisingly quickly.
I feel a sense of accomplishment when I head back out. I know my mum gave me this job, but I know I did it well, and that means everything to me.
As I walk home that evening, the air cooling down after a warm day, the sense of well-being leaves me. I feel alone and like I’m going to be alone forever.
“Fucking wankers,” I mutter again, but it’s the only thing that makes me feel better.
I lock myself in my flat when I arrive home and turn to the TV. I need a comforting movie that won’t make me lose hope in finding love.
41
STORM
Late the next afternoon, wallowing in my shitshow of a life, I hear the buzzer go. Frowning, knowing I should ignore it because it’s probably JP and the guys, I get up to answer it anyway. If one thing is clear, we need to talk. I need answers and I while I’m still fighting up the nerve to go over and confront them, if they are here now, then we are having a conversation about this mess. I don’t deserve to be so humiliated and I want to know why they did it. And a small part of me wants to know if what I felt the other night with JP was all a lie because it sure as shit didn’t feel like it. It was real, I was so sure of it.
My frown etches deeper when I see who it is. I push the button to speak.
“Franco?”
“Storm. I know this is rude, but can I come up? I need to talk to you.”
Confusion hits me. “What about?”
“It’s personal.”
He peers into the camera guilelessly. He doesn’t look like a psycho predator, but there again, I know his rep.
“I don’t want to have sex with you, Franco,” I state clearly.
He snickers. “No, I get that. But this isn’t about that.” His face turns serious, his usual sexy smile not in sight.
I chew the inside of my lip and then shrug. I push the button to let him in and then open the front door to wait for him. I stand sentry, arms folded as he runs up the stairs, not in a rush, but in that manly way, that is decisive and proves he’s in great shape. I cast an eye over his hot bod, and groan inwardly.
I’m weak.
“What is it?” I ask to deflect.
He smiles. “Can I come in?”
I shake my head. “Not until I’m convinced you aren’t here to accost me.”
“If you really thought that, you wouldn’t have let me up.”
Okay, well, he has me there. I don’t need to worry about him. He seems like a lost little puppy.
“Fine, come in, say what you need to and then leave.”
“Got it.”
