Page 35 of Fool Me Twice

“Look, ladies,” she interrupted. “I’m really sorry, but I have to go. It’s Jaxon’s birthday and—“

“Oh my God, Evie.” One of them touched her shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”

Evie walked a lonely straggler to the door, but she still didn’t seem in any rush to leave, waiting while Evie switched off the lights and locked the door before accompanying her down the passageway.

“Bye, then.” Evie forced the issue. “Thanks for coming.” She felt bad for abandoning her class member, and if it had been any other time, she’d have probably invited her to share a coffee and unburden herself, but she had exactly twenty-seven minutes to get herself showered and changed before their big lunch date.

Luckily, Evie wasn’t the kind of woman who spent hours primping and preening in front of a mirror. She’d always looked after her skin, rarely wore make-up, cleansed, toned and moisturised every morning and evening, and always wore sunscreen no matter the weather. Any plans she’d had of styling her hair had to be abandoned, and instead she settled for ruffling it lightly with a towel before teasing a few strands into place around her face.

A commotion outside on the terrace made her check the time. It sounded like one of Chef Andre’s minions had dropped something and the maestro was not amused, if the shouting was anything to go by. Twelve thirty-eight, she quickly reminded herself as she riffled through her wardrobe. The dress she’d wanted to wear wasn’t there. She’d meant to get it from her room that Peter was now staying in, but had forgotten in all the confusion of the morning.

She could wear something else, she supposed, but she’d really wanted to wear that particular dress. The minutes ticked by while she dithered – twelve forty-two.

She grabbed her robe and wrapped it around herself, tying the belt loosely around her waist. Opening the bedroom door, she peered outside, quickly checking the coast was clear before making a dash for her room.

Evie stood outside the room with her ear pressed to the door, listening for any signs that Peter might be inside. She rapped gently on the door and waited for a response.

“Looking for me?” Matt’s voice made her jump

She frowned at him. “What? No.”

He nodded as his eyes skimmed her body appreciatively. “I thought you might have been looking for a little fun.“ He waggled his eyebrows.

Rolling her eyes, she sighed. “Matt, I don’t have time for you, this...” She waved her hand between them.

“You’ve never got time for me anymore.” His nostrils flared. “Not since lover boy turned up.”

“How many times do I have to say it? There is nothing going on between me and Peter.”

“You can say it all you want, but it doesn’t mean I believe you.”

“Look, I really don’t have time for this right now.”

“So, when will you have time, Evie? For me? For us?” He stepped toward her, but she swatted him away with her hands like he was an annoying fly.

“What us?” She drew in a deep breath, tired of having the same conversation with him over and over again. When would he get it into his head? “There is no us.” She said the words slowly, hoping he’d finally get the message. “It was just sex. You knew that from the start.”

“So, you’re dumping me?” He jabbed his thumb toward Peter’s room. “For the old guy?”

“For God’s sake.” She so didn’t have time for this.

“Well, you needn’t worry about me spoiling things with grandpa there, because I’m done. First thing tomorrow, I’m out of here.”

“Why wait until then?” She smiled sweetly at him.

“You know what?” he spat, his face contorted with ugliness. Blocking her path, he placed his arm across the door, resting his hand on the door frame. “It’s probably for the best. I was getting a bit sick of all the pretence, anyway. What?” he asked innocently. “You don’t think I actually enjoyed sucking on your saggy old tits, do you? You know, I could have any woman I want. All I have to do is snap my fingers, and they all come running. Like last week, when Bex turned up her looking for Grampa, but I soon made her forget all about him.”

“Is that so?” she asked, as she tried to push past him into the room.

“And it was great not to be with someone whose tits slide into her armpits every time she lays down.”

Evie sniggered. “That’s because they’re stuffed full of gel.” She couldn’t help but laugh – did he really think Bex’s breasts were real? He was a bigger idiot than she’d realised.

His face flushed. She must have hit a nerve. “And Bex wasn’t the only one I cheated on you with.” His chest puffed up as a triumphant smile spread across his face.

Did he really think she cared who he’d been sleeping with? Matt was a dog who slept around. She knew that, and that’s why she’d always been very careful about using condoms with him.

“I only slept with you because I felt sorry for you.” He tried again to rattle her, but she wasn’t going to rise to the bait. They’d had a fling. It was fun while it lasted, and now it was over, and she was fast running out of time and patience.

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