Apart from Ash and Max, Angie is now the closest person to me, which is saying something. We’ve kept in touch withphone calls and texts, but we’ve only spent a short amount of time together since I married Chelsea. Despite that, we’re comfortable with each other and I trust her with my life. I hope she knows she can trust me back. All she has to do is ask and I’m there.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ANGIE
While putting my lipstick on,I stare at my reflection in the mirror. “What the hell are you doing, girl?” I ask myself out loud. This will be my fourth date with Fraser, yet I know I’m not into him at all. Is it fair to lead him on, or should I shut this thing down? Calla seems to think it’s okay and is actively encouraging me to go out with him. She called this morning.
“You don’t have to label it, just treat it as a night out, nothing more,” she said while trying to coax me from the dark mood I was in. “I understand this is the first guy you’ve dated since Scott, but there are no hard or fast rules. Remember, you don’t have to be anything more than friends if you don’t want to. Just enjoy the company.”
What Calla doesn’t seem to realise is that it’s not that simple. He tried to kiss me after a night out, but I told him I could hear Josh crying and ran upstairs to get some space. I can barely hold hands with him, so I’m hardly going to be up for anything else. So why is it I feel differently when it comes to Tommy? I can’t work out if it’s because we’re friends or if old feelings from the past have resurfaced. I’m so confused,and there’s no rhyme or reason for why this is happening now.
I’m leaving Josh with Connie tonight. It’s great because Josh seems to like her, but we’re still getting to know Connie. What if Josh gets ill or hurts himself? Maybe I shouldn’t go out.
But then, Tommy wouldn’t leave Ozzie with just anyone and he’s an excellent judge of character. Am I really that worried about leaving Josh with a super-qualified nanny? Or am I just looking for a way out of my date with Fraser?
My stomach turns as the doorbell rings. Too late now, I’ve got to get on with it.
“Hello there.” Fraser’s deep tone bounces against the walls of the hallway.
“Angie, your friend is here,” Connie calls up the stairs.
My friend? Yes, I can cope with him being a friend, but can he? “I’ll be down in just a sec,” I call back. “But could you come up here for a moment? I need a hand with something.”
“Please take a seat. Angie will be down soon,” I hear Connie say. She’s so polite.
Her light footsteps travel up the stairs.
“Quick, in here,” I whisper out of my bedroom door, signalling with my hand. “What do you think of my outfit?”
Connie’s eyes are as wide as saucers as she takes in my short navy blue fitted shift dress, which finishes just above the knee, with matching heels. I’d like to take credit for this outfit, but once again, Calla came to the rescue. I pinched it from her wardrobe.
“Wow, Angie. You look incredible.” She beams.
“Not too much?”
“Not at all. Spot on. He must be taking you somewhere fancy. He’s wearing a suit.”
“Well, he told me we’re going somewhere special for dinner.”
“How romantic.” She sighs.
God, no. Romance is the last thing I need, at least, not from Fraser. Christ, my throat feels dry. What is wrong with me?
“I should go, but I’ll just check on Josh first.” I force a smile, but I’m not sure how convincing it is.
As quietly as I can, I peek through the door at my beautiful boy. He’s fast asleep already. I’m blessed when it comes to Josh and routine. My son does everything he’s meant to, and that includes going to bed without any protests.
I take a few minutes to watch him sleep and push his tiny blonde curls back from his face. When he was born, I was overjoyed to have a baby boy, thinking he’d look exactly like his daddy. Sadly, he’s the image of me, but I live in hope this will change as he gets older.
“Goodnight, my sweet boy,” I say, running the side of my finger across his soft cheek, then I creep away. As I close the door behind me, Connie steps forward. She’s been waiting at the top of the stairs, just outside his room.
“All okay?” she asks.
I nod. “He’s out for the count. It’s rare for him to wake once he’s gone, so you should be in for a quiet night.”
“Don’t worry, we’re all set. Oz had me making sandcastles all day and the sea air has wiped me out. I’m looking forward to reading a few pages of my book.”
“Right then,” I say nervously. “I suppose I ought to get down there.” There’s only so much stalling I can do.
