“We will be in the office next door if you need anything.” Alex smiles and they leave the room.
Joshua turns and smirks and raises his eyebrows. “Interesting morning, huh.” He smiles.
I sit back down in my seat. “You have no idea,” I sigh.
Natasha
I walk into the hospital and head straight upstairs to the palliative care unit. I have a bad feeling today. I just hope Gran is ok.
I run into Mum in the hallway. “Is everything ok?” I ask nervously.
She smiles warmly as she kisses me on the cheek. “Yes, she is doing really well. She has had us laughing all day.”
I put my hand on my chest. “Oh, thank goodness, I’ve been a bit nervy,” I sigh.
Mum smiles sympathetically as she walks past me down the hall.
Bridget, Cameron and Will are sitting together on the seats. Bridget is seated opposite the boys and has her legs resting on Cameron’s legs who is oblivious and on his phone. She and Will are deep in conversation.
“Hi,” I smile as I put my bag on the seat next to them.
“Oh hi,” Bridget smiles. “Loving that Kate Middleton dress.” She raises her eyebrows at me. I smile. I love this dress too. It’s cream and fitted and hangs just below the knee. It’s very simple but beautifully cut and it hangs really nicely. I am in matching cream high-heel shoes. My hair is in a loose, low ponytail and I have my glasses on and minimal make-up. I stand and stretch my back. I’ve been on my computer all day and it’s as tight as anything.
“You been at work?” Cameron asks, his eyes not rising from his phone.
“Ahuh,” I answer flatly. “You guys been in yet?” I ask as my eyes flick around and I put my hands on my hips.
“Not yet,” Bridget answers. “She has a line up in front of us.” She gestures to a group of oldies sitting in the other waiting room.
“Mmm, ok. I might go and get a coffee then,” I sigh. I pick up my bag and head back downstairs to the cafeteria.
I walk down to the cafeteria in a daydream as my security trails behind me. How is it I don’t even notice them with me anymore? Max has taken a week off to go away with his girls. I think Joshua has just pissed him off too much to be around, something he has denied of course. As I head down the hall to the cafeteria I see two of Joshua’s bodyguards waiting outside, leaning up against the wall, and I get a rush of adrenaline. He’s here. I try to hold my idiocy to a minimum and not jump in the air. I enter the cafeteria as casually as I can and my eyes scan the space. I see him. Joshua is sitting at the table closest to the door and his broad back is facing me. He is on the phone and has a notepad in front of him and is writing something down. I walk over behind him to say hello when my eyes glance at the notepad and I read the name Coby Allender written on it. He speaks down the phone unaware that I am here.
“I want a list of past offences and the evidence being presented at the upcoming trial.”
He listens for a minute. “No, when is the trial?” He listens again. “I see.” He listens again. “Tell me, do the police think he is guilty?” My eyes widen, who is he talking too? I walk past him and straight to the counter.
Fishface looks at me. “What will it be?” she asks flatly. God this woman is a bitch.
“Skim cap.” I raise my eyebrows at her as if to say, yes you, you are a bitch, and I know it.
She nods and takes my money and I turn to see Joshua scribbling on his paper. His eyes flick up and connect with mine, and he smiles sexily. I literally swoon. He only has to look at me and I melt into his eyes. I smile and turn back to the counter and I watch him in the reflection of the fridge door in front of me. He keeps writing and talking, then he hangs up and rips the top piece of paper off the notepad, folds it and puts it in his inside suit pocket. He takes a sip of his coffee and sits still staring at me, then he gently cracks his neck and I smile. Some things will never grow old. I take my coffee and walk over to him.
“Hi,” I smile.
“Hello,” he smiles back.
What I really want to do is slam my hand on the table and scream where the hell where you when I woke up this morning, asshole, but I have to remind myself that this new improved version of myself is non-drama-queenish, and boy does it suck.
“Did you have a nice day?” I smile as I take a sip of my coffee.
He nods. “Yes, we started a new job today so I was busy.”
I frown. “New job?” I question.
He smiles. “Just a little six-week one.”
“Oh.” I nod as disappointment runs through me.