Living in a foreign country was an isolating experience if you weren’t particularly good at people skills.
And Hayley was nice. She had gone out of her way to make me feel comfortable.
Seeing that picture of Lucas with another woman hurt. Even if I told myself I had no right for it to bother me.
“We slept together,” I whispered.
“What?” she gasped. I hurriedly closed the door to the breakroom so we wouldn’t be overheard. “You slept with Lucas Bradley? At the pub? You dirty, dirty girl.” She playfully punched my arm.
I shook my head and made a face. “Ew, no. I do havesomestandards.”
Hayley looked confused. “Then when—?”
“On Saturday night. He showed up at my apartment. He stayed the night. It was—” I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It was amazing, Hayley.”
Hayley put her mug down and held up her hands, stopping me from speaking any further. “Wait a minute. Lucas Bradley—theLucas Bradley—showed up at your apartment. Out of the blue. And you shagged him? And he spent the night? What sort of bizarre universe are you living in?”
I laughed. It felt good to laugh about it. Because otherwise I’d cry. “I know. It’s weird. And then he texted me last night saying he was coming over. He never showed. And then I see that picture of him with another woman,” I let out in a rush, thankful to get it off my chest.
Hayley seemed to be having a hard time wrapping her head around what I was telling her. “So Lucas Bradley calls you? He makes plans to see you? Are you…dating?”
It annoyed me how everyone had to refer to him by both his first and last name. Like he was some sort of demi-god.
He was just a man. A jerky man at that.
“I hardly call multiple orgasms dating. Plus he was with someone else, so exclusivity is not on the menu.” I poured myself another cup of tea. I was becoming slightly addicted to the whole process of it. Even if I still added too much sugar and not enough milk. Or vice versa.
“Multiple orgasms? Seriously?” Of course that’s what Hayley latched onto.
“Many orgasms. I thought I was going to pass out,” I admitted, my belly warming at the memory. And then it twisted at the reminder that those were most likely the only orgasms he’d ever give me.
Whatever. He’s a dick. I didn’t need that sort of complication in my life.
I was really bad at lying to myself.
“This was after you went on a date with Phil? I’m only asking for clarification.”
I winced. “Yeah, it was. Wow, that makes me sound like a grade A slutbag.”
Hayley snorted. “Slutbag? I need to remember that one.” She handed me the milk for my tea.
“It’s no slag, but it’s a good one,” I grinned.
“Well, from what I know of you Morgan, you’re no goal digger like Libby and Clara. You were lured in by a sexy smile and gorgeous eyes. You’re a woman, after all.” Hayley made me feel better. Not a lot, but some.
“I guess I can just chalk the whole thing up to an experience of some sort and move on,” I sighed.
Hayley patted my shoulder. “Love, we all wish we could have that kind of experience. But you’re better off without all that nonsense. Being with someone like Lucas Bradley comes with a world of headaches.”
I smiled. Or tried to. She was right of course.
So why did I still want to hit something?
Mostly Lucas’ pretty, pretty face?
Our conversation petered out after that. And with a plan to grab something at lunchtime, I headed back to my desk. I wasn’t imagining everyone’s eyes on me. People were definitely staring, and then looking away when I caught them.
Charlie and Andrew were whispering in the corner like schoolgirls.
