“Morgan, I haven’t moved on. Ben is just a supplier, nothing more.” I stepped in his way so he couldn’t get by me.
“Nothing to do with me, anyway, right?” He picked me up gently.
My arms moved involuntarily around his neck. He turned around, put me down, and stalked off to the library room. My hips burned where his hands had touched me.
“I haven’t been with anyone since you,” I called out to his back.
I wanted to run after him and beg him to forgive me, but for what? I hadn’t done anything wrong. I took a cold shower and tried to get more work done before my shift at the club that night.
I looked up at my laptop and saw that it was after six. I got up and stretched out my stiff limbs before walking out and down the hallway to the library room.
“Morgan, it’s gone six,” I said to an empty room. He had done his work and left without saying goodbye.
I guessed we couldn’t even be friends, then. I walked around the room and admired his handywork. The shelving that he had started adding to the supports were beautifully done.
I texted him.
A: Hey, I didn’t hear you leave.
M: I didn’t want to bother you.
I picked up the phone and tried to call him, but he didn’t answer.
M: Sorry, I’m busy.
A: I don’t want to lose you, Morgan. Can we at least be friends?
M: I don’t think so, it’s too hard. Sorry.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and blinked away the tears. “No one to blame but yourself,” I muttered to myself as I stormed into my bedroom and started getting ready for work.
“I think I’m going to go to the villa in Spain for a week or so,” I told the girls over drinks at the club that night.
I needed to get away from Morgan. Each time I saw him or something that reminded me of him, needles stabbed at my heart. My legs would feel weak and dizziness would engulf me.
“Sounds like fun. Some time in the sun with no worries or stresses will do you the world of good.” Lauren smiled, her eyes twinkling.
“Yeah, fun in the sun!” Betty agreed.
“Would you both come with me?” I asked, taking a sip of my coke and lemon.
“Yeah, as long as my boss gives me time off work.” Lauren grinned.
“I’m sure we can talk her into it.” I laughed holding out my glass.
“Well, I’m in,” Betty replied, holding up her glass for cheers.
“You should ask Kate to come, too. It must be hard for her what with you and Morgan…” Lauren trailed off.
“Yeah, I’ll call her tomorrow.” I nodded, but felt dread in my stomach like a rock, heavy and unmoving. I’d not spoken to her much since Morgan and I had called off our arrangement.
“The boys are in.” Laura pointed down onto the dancefloor to where Baz and his fiancée were dancing.
I jumped up and moved to the edge of the upper walkway that overlooked the dancefloor and scoured for any sign of Morgan, but I couldn’t see him. Baz saw me and waved, pointed to his phone, then to me.
B: He’s not here, said he couldn’t face it.
A: Ah, okay, thanks for letting me know. You and the Mrs are welcome up here. I’ll add your name to the list.
