“And you broke up with him?”
“Yes,” I answer. The entrée is served and I am now desperately wishing these stupid women would make some kind of interesting conversation to keep Joshua’s mind occupied and off Christopher. I wonder if paying someone to take their top off in this situation would be acceptable. Joshua pushes his entrée to my side.
I frown. “Don’t you want it?”
He shakes his head. “I just lost my appetite.” Hmm, that’s funny because I just found mine, bloody stress eating is back with a vengeance.
“What does he do?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Answer the question.” His eyes bore into me.
“He’s an orthopaedic surgeon.”
He fakes a smile. “Of course he is.”
“Would you rather he be a prostitute that slept with me for money?” I snap.
He scowls at me. “Yes I would. At least then I would know that you were never in love with him.”
I smile a sad smile at him and grab his hand under the table. “Josh, I love you. Please let’s not fight about this. You already knew about him. It’s in the past,” I whisper. He nods and cast his eyes down onto the table. My heart breaks a little. It would hurt me to know if he had been in love with someone else. It’s bad enough knowing he had sex with everyone in America. I can’t imagine what it would feel like if he actually cared for any of them. The main meal is served and once again Joshua just picks at his food. I wish I didn’t eat when I was stressed. If no one was watching I could happily devour both his and my meals at this moment. The speeches have finished and Tittiana is beginning to really piss me off. I’m finding myself imagining pouring my drink happily over her head. Her open flirting with Josh is grating on my nerves. I pull my chair out and Josh grabs my leg.
“Where are you going?” Gently he kisses the back of my hand. He’s loving watching me get jealous.
“I’m going to the bathroom.”
“Can I come?” he smiles.
I narrow my eyes. “No,” I whisper.
He leans forward and whispers into my ear. “Let me rephrase that, I need to come.” He raises an eyebrow.
“Josh, I’m out of action for a week,” I whisper. He frowns, not understanding my meaning. I raise my eyebrows, waiting for him to catch on. He doesn’t. I shake my head and smile as I stand from the table and walk past the dance floor and head toward the bathroom. Ten minutes later as I am walking back to the table I am accosted by Christopher.
“Natasha, do you ever think of me?” God, this night is going from bad to worse.
“Christopher, we are over and I have a new boyfriend. This is inappropriate.” I go to walk off and another of Christopher’s friends comes over and puts his arm around me.
“The beautiful Natasha—we have missed you.” I smile as I try to hurry the conversation along but I can’t be rude. It’s another ten minutes before I return to our table to find Josh missing. I take a seat and eat his untouched chocolate cake. After what seems like an eternity Josh is still not back, I start to feel a little unsettled and start to look around for him. To my horror he is slow–dancing with Tatiana. What the hell. Is this a joke? He looks totally smitten and she is grinding herself up against him, not that he looks like he minds. He wants a reaction from me and I am definitely not giving him one. I probably deserve him to be pissy, but this is going too far. What will I do without causing a scene? I must admit seeing Christopher tonight has rattled me. It’s made me realise how many people my relationship with Joshua has caused hurt to—myself being the main victim. I have to get out of here before the dam bursts. I’m going to leave. I pack my bag up and am just about to stand when Christopher comes over to the table. My heart drops again—he looks determined.
“I want another chance.”
I close my eyes. “That’s impossible, Chris. I am in love with someone else.”
He glares at me. “Who? That douche bag who’s dancing with the stripper.” My eyes drop in embarrassment. I’ve got no answer to that. He’s right; Josh is acting like a douche bag.
“That’s him,” Joshua snaps. Oh shit, where did he come from? “Not that it’s any of your business who I dance with.”
Christopher rolls his eyes. “Go back to your whore, pretty boy.” Joshua runs his tongue over the front of his top teeth and glares at Christopher. Christopher returns his angry gaze. I start to panic.
“Chris, just go please, I don’t want any trouble.”
He grabs my hand. “Please, Tash, I need another chance. I can’t get over you. I’m totally fucked over.” Joshua stands back and waits for my reaction and I can feel the fury emanating from him. This is the most uncomfortable conversation I have ever had, breaking my ex–boyfriend’s heart in front of my new boyfriend.
“Christopher, please, you know why we broke up. Our feelings aren’t mutual. You deserve better, Chris. I’m sorry, I’m not that girl.”
He pulls a disgusted face at me. “You make me sick, Natasha.”