When Bren fails to answer, I reply, unsure if it’ll make things better or worse. “Kyle Johnson,” I clarify.
The tension in the room pulls so tight I wonder if Chris will snap. Iknowhe’s put two and two together. My surname hasn’t thrown him off at all. Obviously, Bren’s told Chris about me, and maybe he’s even seen a photo from twenty years ago. How many tall, blonde, blue-eyed Kyles in their late thirties are there in Frankston? How many of them are likely to set foot in Brendan’s office?
Bren remains silent, rubbing the back of his neck. His unease is giving him away.
“Dan, did someone give you flowers?” Chris points to the roses laying on the desk.
I can’t get my head around Chris nicknaming BrendanDan. It doesn’t suit him one fucking bit.
“Ah, no. They’re Kate’s. She forgot to take them home tonight, so I was gonna put them in water so they keep until tomorrow.”
“How nice for Kate. Does she have a secret admirer?” Chris glares at Bren, eyebrows raised, his pretty green eyes turning cold, making it clear that he’s not buying this for a single second.
“Okay,” I interject, wanting to escape before this escalates. “I need to get home for dinner. Thank you, Brendan, for going over those details with me. I’m very happy with the showerhead upgrade.” I turn to Chris. “Nice to meet you, Chris. Have a great night, gentlemen.”
As I slip past Chris, Bren says, “Not a problem, Mr. Johnson.”
Once outside I almost sprint to my car, then speed off the lot. I pull over five hundred metres down the road and take a few deep breaths. Bren will be so pissed with me, and this could fuck everything up.
My phone rings, startling me, and I groan when I see it’s James. I ignore it but he calls a second time, so I pick up. “Hey honey, everything okay?”
“Just wondering where you are, darling. Lu said you went out.”
“I’m on my way home now. I dropped over to see Jordan; he’s having an argument with Ruby. You’re home early.”
“I wasn’t feeling well. I have a headache. But would you mind telling me why the ensuite doesn’t even closely resemble what I wanted?”
I place a hand over my mouth to suppress my laughter, taking a second or two to pull myself together. “You said I could make any changes I wanted. That it would give me something to do.”
“Yes, I did say that, but I didn’t mean for you to throw out the entire design.”
James sounds disheartened, not angry, and that disappoints me. But it’s amusing all the same.
“I didn’t throw out theentiredesign. I kept the rain showerhead and there are touches of black.” I bite down on my bottom lip to stop the urge to giggle like a petty teenager.
“Well, you owe me a shower fuck to make up for it, then. Also, darling, it looks like I’ll need to attend that conference in Sydney in a couple of weeks. It’s only five days. You’ll be okay without me, won’t you?”
It will be fucking heaven without James for five days. It will also be a good chance to spend quality time with Lu and start repairing the damage I’ve caused. “Of course I’ll be okay,” Ireply. “I’ll be home soon. Take a painkiller and have a lie down. When you wake up, dinner will be ready.”
“Okay, darling. See you soon.”
I hang up, then put the car into first gear. Once I’m back in the flow of the traffic, my thoughts immediately return to Bren.
Chapter 14
Brendan
Now
Chris stares coldly while we wait for Kyle to exit the building. I’ve fucked up royally, and there’s no way to justify my actions. I look away.
“Kyle Johnson, huh? Or is it perhaps Kyle Davies?TheKyle Davies. The one who fucked you over and left you to rot in prison. The one who you said broke your heart and fucking stomped on it.”
I step closer and force myself to look at my husband. “Chris, just back it up for a minute and let me explain.”
“Are you fucking serious right now!” Chris explodes, eyes filling with tears. “Let you explain why your ex is in your office after closing time bringing you flowers. Are you fucking him? Are you having an affair? How long has this been going on?”
Chris begins to cry. I try to pull him into my arms, but he pushes me away. “I’m not fuckin’ him and there’s nothin’ going on,” I rush to explain. “He’s the luxury bathroom job. Hishusbandhired me. I had no idea it was him until I got there and then I put Jeff on the job. You have nothing to worry about. He’s married with a kid. Jesus, Chris, please turn around and look at me.”
