When You're Mine (MINE #3)(13)
Laughing, I shook my head. “Where do you come up with this shit?”
“Born and raised in the hood honey, we get creative.”
I shrugged. “There isn’t much to tell.”
“Bitch, please. A man does not send a woman flowers unless he’s hit it, or he’s tryin’ to hit it. Now which is it?”
“He definitely hasn’t hit it.”
I told her everything, from the first time I met him with Maddie, to their relationship, to what happened when he came to my apartment the other day. As usual, she listened to every word, only butting in a few times to clarify facts. Once I was finished, she let me have it.
“You really like this guy?”
“Of course I like him. He’s insanely gorgeous, charming, successful, and he has a tongue that could rival any high end sex toy. What’s not to like?”
“Then go for it.”
I let go of a heavy sigh. “I can’t.”
“Why the hell not?”
“You know why.” A look of sadness crossed her face. “Plus, I just… I can’t do that to Maddie. I know she cared about him. Barrett and I have already crossed the line as it is. It’s wrong.”
Waving her finger in front of my face, she met my eyes. “Uh, excuse me, Maddie’s married right?”
I took a bite of my green apple. “So?”
“So that makes his ass fair game.”
I leaned forward on a whisper. “Still, it’s like a cardinal rule right? Thou shalt never screw best friend’s ex,”
“Fuck it. She never has to know. Plus, you’ll have those memories to keep you warm on those lonely nights.”
Nodding, I thought about what she was suggesting. Besides Maddie, and what this could potentially do to our relationship, there were so many other reasons I needed to consider. So many reasons why we could never be. I couldn’t take back what had happened between us so far, but I could prevent anything further.
The further I am away from temptation, the easier it will be to resist it.
Women are made to be loved, not understood.
~ Oscar Wilde
“They were married for twenty-two years, Max. Your client does understand the term marital assets, correct?” I checked my watch for the fifth time since this conversation began.
“Yes, but Mr. Riker isn’t screwing his personal trainer.” Max countered.
“There’s been no proof of that affair.”
“She admitted it to my client,” he reminded. “Several times I might add.”
“Look, either he accepts the deal or we’ll let a judge decide. But I don’t think Mr. Sick and Depraved wants us to open up his closet and start dragging out skeletons. Unlike Mr. Riker, the Mrs. has proof. I’ve seen it. Hard core shit, Max. This kind of stuff could ruin a congressman.”
“I’ll get back to you.”
Smiling, I hung up the phone and reached for my cell, checking to see if she’d responded to any of my text messages yet.
Nothing.
I grabbed my coat and walked out of my office. “I’ll be out the rest of the day. Just call if you need anything.”
“Yes sir,” Mary Ann smiled.
Tabitha was ignoring me again. I was worried about her. Worried if she’d had another headache. Worried she would pass out somewhere and be all alone. Just f*cking worried. So I decided to take a more drastic approach.
The front desk clerk gifted me with a visitor’s pass before directing me to her classroom, letting me know there was no time restriction on visitors. Something told me she knew exactly who I was. Something told me this woman knew everything.
Approaching, I could hear the sound of instruments playing loud and way off key. A smile stretched across my face as I peered through the small window. Tabitha was standing on a platform in front of the class, waving her arms back and forth. I quietly slipped inside, shoving my hands into my pockets and propping myself against the back wall. She didn’t notice me at first, her eyes intent and focused on the twenty something children playing their hearts out. They finished the song, and when she lifted those gorgeous green eyes to mine, I felt it. The effect she had on me becoming stronger and more powerful each time I was in her presence. The unmistakable calling in my chest, drawing me towards her.
Tabitha stepped down from the podium, instructing the children to review the notes they were struggling with and to keep quiet. “What are you doing here?” she harshly whispered when she was close enough for me to hear.
I pushed from the wall. “I had to see you.”
“You’re not supposed to be here.”
“I checked in with the office.” I proudly showed her my visitor’s pass. “The nice lady up front was most helpful.”
Tabitha sighed, folding her arms across her chest. “I’m sure she was.” She looked down at her feet, the children, and then me. “Listen Barrett, I…”
Reaching out, I pulled her against my chest and wrapped my arms around her waist. “You’re not getting rid of me, so stop trying.”
“Miss Warren has a boyfriend,” A chubby kid with big square glasses pointed and grinned. The rest of the children began to laugh.
“What’s your boyfriend’s name, Miss Warren?” A tiny blonde girl asked.