Cold Feet novel Chapter 25

CHRISTINE

“Lara,” I say as I answer the phone. “Has she arrived?”

“Well good day to you too,” Lara says feigning disappointment when I don’t ask how she is. “She has arrived. You won’t believe it.”

“What?” I ask sitting forward and hoping to hear another scrap of information I can use against Viola.

“I offered her our family apartment until she gets her salary and pay the deposit on her own place. The poor girl burst out sobbing in my office. It was heartbreaking to see how much she appreciated the help I gave her. This is truly one of the best things we have ever done, girl.”

I roll my eyes. I was hoping for something to use against Viola. You’ll have to be careful with Lara, I tell myself. She may be your best friend, but she’s gone all goody-two-shoes on you on this one.

“That’s great. I knew she would appreciate it.”

“You really should think of letting her know.”

I sit forward in my chair. “Lara,” my tone hardens.

“Yes?” she replies sounding as if she’s been slapped.

“Under no circumstances is she to know. You feel great because of the good we’ve done right?”

“Absolutely, I was…”

“Some people can be happy not letting it be known that they’ve helped someone else okay? If ever I feel that she will put the past behind us, then I might tell her. If you tell her I’m involved she will walk away, I promise you. And then all the good you feel so good about having done today, will be gone.”

“Sure. Understood,” Lara says sounding a bit offended.

I soften my tone again. “Sorry bestie. I don’t mean to be hard or horrible it’s just that I want this to succeed as much as you do but it won’t if she finds out. Maybe once the business is well established we can inform her. When she has something to lose if she gives it up, maybe then will be a time to tell her. But please leave it to me to decide. Okay?”

“Sure,” Lara says. “I understand.”

We talk a bit longer before we end the call. I’m satisfied that I’ve smoothed things over with Lara and that we’re all good.

I know Lara won’t be happy if she knows the truth about me and that little upstart but she’ll never have to find out. All I know is when it’s all over, Lara will hate her as much as I do. Maybe more.

I have an appointment with a client at the Ritz Carlton to discuss arrangements for their daughter’s wedding. I’m early as always. Get there first and control the meeting. That’s my motto. Or one of them at least.

As I walk into the lounge a voice behind me calls my name. I turn around and freeze. I can’t believe it…

Grady.

The only man I ever loved. The only man who ever broke my heart. I’m frozen, taking him in from head to toe and all the way up again. He looks as good as ever. No, better. His still has that self assured, ‘nothing can stop me’ smile and he smiling it right now. He’s wearing a light brown sports jacket over beige trousers. The jacket fits him perfectly and I can still see his fantastic build under it. His blue eyes seem to loom right into me, to the depths of my soul and I’m pretty damn sure right then he can see all my memories of him and I flash through my mind. He doesn’t look a day older than when I saw him a little over five years ago.

His hair is short but not too short. I can still run my fingers through it, maybe grab it with passion. I feel myself flush with emotion and desire.

I should be angry but I can’t be. I could never not forgive him. He could do anything and I would live with it. He is my weakness, my drug, my addiction.

“You are the last person I ever thought I’d see here,” he says. His voice is soft but rough at the same time. God, I remember what that voice did to me. It still does judging by how soaked my panties have just become.