She had to admit he did have a point about the appropriateness of her sexting and confirmed as much in her response, hoping to resolve this before it got totally out of hand and ruined dinner with Jake.
“Fuck!” she hissed. No kiss, meaning he was really pissed with her. Maybe he would sulk for a few hours and leave her alone. At least now she could enjoy dinner and catch up with Jake, no more.
She was eating dessert when Jake asked, “Are you sure you won’t have a drink? I don’t like to drink alone.”
“Positive. I’m driving.”
“You don’t have to, you could stay over.”
“No, I really have to go home. You and I are done, Jake,” she said firmly but panicking slightly that she might have missed some signs. Did he actually think there was unfinished business between them?
Jake laughed. “I actually meant you could stay in the spare room. I know you have a new guy and are pretty taken with him.”
“Sorry.” She laughed back with a blush. “How vain am I, to assume you were inviting me to spend the night with you?”
“You are gorgeous and we made a very attractive couple and what we had was great, but it’s over and I don’t like to go back. I’m more of a move on kind of a guy. In fact, I have a hot date with the new girl on your old soap,” he revealed.
“Really?”
“Yeah. I did a photo shoot with her last week and we are doing a film and dinner on Tuesday night and whatever else comes along is a bonus.” He grinned, making Tasha feel easier.
“I’m very pleased for you.”
“Does your boyfriend know you’re here?”
“Yes and is far from happy,” she replied with total honesty as she pulled her phone out expecting to see a backlog of messages, but there were none. That could be good or very bad.
“I can’t say I blame him, Tash. It used to drive me mad when you and Gerry hooked up and with him being so far away it can’t be easy for him.”
“Really?” Her surprise was clear to them both.
“Yeah, course. Most men aren’t comfortable with their girlfriend remaining friends with exes.”
She stared at him and shook her head disbelievingly. While Jim was going into majorly pissed off over their dinner, Jake was justifying his mad, jealous behaviour.
When Tasha was ready to leave, her former boyfriend insisted on walking her to her car where he kissed her on the cheek before she got in and drove away. She smiled with total conviction that there was nothing between her and Jake anymore beyond a friendship, but more than that she knew her future lay with Mr Control Freak, James Maybury and only him.
Once she pulled up outside her flat, she parked in her allotted car parking space and text Jim.
Still no kiss. She was unsure whether she should be amused, sad or scared. He had obviously sulked all night and was as infuriated as ever. There was nothing she could do now so would just have to face the music. She hit the remote locking button on her car key and walked towards the front of the building.
“Tasha.” A familiar, but unwelcome voice called her.
She turned to find her father hiding behind a large shrub.
“Dad,” she whispered, shifting nervously on the spot.
Tasha had her phone in one hand and her key in the other. She stared at him wide-eyed and was at a loss as to what she should do. She knew what she was supposed to do because Jim had made sure of it; call the police, Jerome, Mr Stewart and him. She felt like a trapped animal and incredibly vulnerable. Was it safe to phone anyone while he stood in front of her?
“Tasha, please, can we talk, or could I talk and you listen?” he asked meekly.
