Chapter 57
KATE
"Where were you?" I stare at Lisa on the sofa after closing the door.
"I was at a co-worker's house, I told you," lying and hiding things from Lisa had become frequent lately.
"Don't try to fool me, Kate. You can't lie."
"I'm not lying. And I'm so tired now." I pout.
"You're not getting away that easily. I'm not going anywhere."
"Fine. I'll tell you all about my wonderful night at Megan's after I rest a bit."
"Rest while you can." She narrows her eyes.
"Love you." I head towards my bedroom.
"Me too, especially when you don't lie."
Oh, Lisa, if I could tell you, I really needed some good advice. To start with, I just accepted Ryan's absurd proposal that involves some sort of relationship where sex is the primary element. And even though I know how wrong it is, I don't regret it. I'm happy somehow.
Heavens! John! I had forgotten about him. What am I going to say to him? He hasn't messaged me. Maybe he's not so concerned about it, or maybe it's not so important to him. Or is he waiting for a response? How am I going to say no to him?
I search for my phone inside my bag. There's a new message from Nathan.
Nathan: I think I'm going to need you here tonight. What am I going to eat? Remember my cook is off?
The message makes me laugh and feel pathetic. Now he's going to annoy me with text messages too. I think I like it. I type a response.
Kate: Double entendre? Seriously? Do you really need a babysitter?
I abandon my phone and go to take a shower.
"Kate?" I stare at Lisa's reflection in the vanity mirror as I finish combing my hair.
"What?"
"I'm going out with the girls, aren't you coming?" She asks, leaning against the door of my room.
"No, I'm exhausted."
"Okay, Miss Anti-Social Life, but don't think I forgot our conversation." I nod, getting up and throwing myself onto the bed.
"I almost forgot... Emily said that Bryan asked about you. She didn't tell me she had seen him in Switzerland."
"I forgot. I didn't think it was important." She crosses her arms in front of her body.
"You're acting strange."
"I'm just tired."
"Don't you want to talk?"
"I'm fine. Have fun for me."
"If you want, I can stay here with you."
"It's okay, Lisa. Seriously."
"Okay. Call me if you need anything."
"Okay." She leaves with a suspicious look, and I hurriedly search for my phone.
Nathan: Miss Grumpy is back. I could handle her, but now I have things to do. So, see you later.
What things does he have to do? Probably work. And what am I going to do for the rest of the day? Maybe I should have gone with Lisa. I could ask where they are and go there.
"Look who's here!" Emily shouts when she sees me.
"I'm glad you came," Lisa hugs me.
"Where's Britney?" I look around.
"Probably sucking someone off in the bathroom," Emily says, making me feel nauseous with the image. How is she already drunk? "Look at that guy! He's so hot!" She says, almost yelling, pointing to... Oh my God!
"Damn," I groan in frustration. Lisa stares at me, analyzing my reaction. I feel bile rising in my throat.
"Is there a problem?" She asks.
"John."
"Where?" I make a discreet movement toward the table on the other side of the bar.
"Oh... he really is easy on the eyes."
"Lisa, please."
"Do you have an answer from him?"
"I can't."
"What? Accept?"
"It's complicated, Lisa." Actually, it's not complicated. I just can't tell her. What would he say? *Kate, are you sleeping with your boss? Have you lost your mind?*
"Then I think you'd better simplify it because I think he's seen you, and he's coming over here." How lucky! I really should have stayed home. "I think I'm going to take Emily to the bathroom."
"I don't need to go to the ba..." Emily tries to speak but is interrupted by Lisa.
"You do believe me!"
"You're going to leave me here alone?"
"Oh, I am."
"Lisa?" I plead through my teeth. She gives me a little smile before leaving, pulling Emily towards the bathroom.
I swallow nervously as I see John approaching. He looks impeccable as always, wearing a nude long-sleeved shirt that makes his chest look even broader, matching with black jeans.
"What a coincidence," he says as he approaches and kisses me on the cheek.
"A big coincidence."
"Where are your friends?"
"Bathroom."
"You know, I thought this kind of place wasn't your thing."
"You assumed correctly, but it's like a girls' night out, can't escape it."
'Speaking of escaping, it's kind of inevitable... I mean, I'm going to stop pretending I'm not curious about what you've decided."
What am I going to do? I can't tell the truth. Sorry, John, but I can't accept it because I'm in love with another man. In love... Why did I use that word? I meant I'm sleeping with another man. Think, Kate.
"I need time. I mean, more time." Yes, I needed time, not to think about a yes or no answer, but how to say no without sounding like a jerk.
I don't think one day is too much time."
"You know, I understand if you don't want to wait and..."
"It's okay, Kate. I'm patient." He gives that too-sweet smile that would make my stomach churn if I didn't find someone else more interesting. I smile back, feeling terrible. "But don't think I won't try to take you home again." He says, smiling sensually. I'm screwed. What would Ryan think of this? I think he would kill me if he found out.
"You seem a bit distracted. What's wrong?"
"No, it's nothing."
"Do you want to go somewhere else?"
"I think..." I'm interrupted by my phone vibrating. "One minute," I say, getting up and heading towards the bathroom, looking for a quieter spot. There's a message from Ryan that makes me shiver.
Nathan: I was thinking of visiting you, or picking you up if you're not alone.
I still haven't gotten used to this kind of message from him. It's so strange. What to answer? The truth, obviously, not all of it, he'd probably freak out.
Kate: I'm not available, Ryan. I have a life, you know?'
He responds in seconds.
Nathan: Where are you? With who? Are you kidding me?'
I can imagine his restlessness.
Kate: Why should I tell you?
I send it and seconds later he calls me back. I feel like laughing.
"Why should you tell me? Maybe because we have a damn agreement!" He seems irritated, it's amazing how easily this happens.
"Why are you so worked up?"
"Why don't you just answer the damn questions?"
"Because I like to annoy you, and also because I don't owe you explanations about my life. I won't break the rules of our agreement, Ryan, if you do the same, of course. And don't worry, I'm not having sex with anyone right now."
"Tell me where you are?"
"Why?"
"To know that you're not in some den of iniquity."
"Den of what?" I laugh.
"Kate..."
"Fine. I went out with some friends."
"Where?"
"Are you serious?"
"Where?"
"A bar."
"Where the hell?"
"Are you coming here? Because I don't think I need to tell you where, since you're not coming. Maybe you forgot, but it's just sex. Remember?"
"You don't need to remind me of that."
"I think I do."
"I would fuck you right now if I could."
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