“Bugger,” she muttered and realised that anyone he came into contact with from now on would hate her for his mood. She looked at the time on her watch, half past six, which meant he was only on half past ten.
Tasha actually had to reread his message three or four times before she had absorbed his words, thoughts and inferences. Feeling more than a little annoyed with his suggestion and Jim himself she replied.
She sent the message without rereading it which she knew from past experience was normally a bad idea and came back to bite her, but arses to his idea that she would cheat on him and be anything other than loyal. If she was anything it was faithful and his suggestion that she would ever be anything but saddened and annoyed her in equal parts. She could deal with his control freak, crazy ass stuff, she really could, but this was getting ridiculous. He had been married six times and cheated on more than one wife. Why was he so hung up on other men wanting to be with her? Did he really believe she was so lacking in respect and restraint that she would just shag Ryan’s firemen friends without a reason beyond being horny or lonely? She had deliberately omitted the kiss, see how he liked being on the receiving end of her fury.
Tasha read and reread his words, confused that they weren’t angrier or somehow trying to push the blame for her own anger back on her. Her mind was still deliberating this when another message arrived, the one she had originally been expecting.
Was there even any point to this ridiculous argument or whatever it was they were becoming embroiled in? Tasha had no desire to squabble and fight but this was important to her. Jim needed to realise and accept she would never stray, not like he meant, no matter how lonely she was. Moreover, she wanted, needed him to understand that those type of accusations had no place in a strong and resilient relationship. The sort of relationship she wanted them to have.
Lucy returned from her room. “So, are we all set for a big night out?”
Tasha shook her head, “Not yet. I have somehow managed to get myself into a huge row, and the subject of a big night out has barely been touched on.”
Lucy laughed and then frowned. “Sod him, let’s just do it. Everybody else is up for it, although Gerry reckons he may have to join us later because he is finalising some stuff at the gallery before he can come out. Jake is bringing his new totty so there will be even more chance that we will get our faces in the paper with you and her together and the fact that you’re the ex and she is like your replacement on the show. Then there’s you and Gerry,” Lucy said, genuinely excited.
“You do know that with the addition of Gerry to the mix and the possibility of pictures in the press with speculation and comparisons about Jake’s ex and current squeeze mean you are likely to be having a big night out without me?” She shook her head.
“Then we’ll party here.” Lucy was unfazed by Jim’s issues or Tasha’s concerns.
“I don’t know if that will be any better. Look Luce, it’s your celebration, yours and Ryan’s. We, you and I can have our own celebration later. Decide what you want to do and I will worry about James bloody Maybury.” Her phone beeped and even her message alert sounded pissed off.
Tasha stared down at the screen as a myriad of thoughts ran through her mind.Holy fuck. He has changed his flight. He must be really mad now. Shit. How the hell has this deteriorated so quickly?
She sent her brief message before moving onto the full message and verifying the change in flight.
“Luce, I really have to sort this, he has only gone and changed his bloody flight. Sorry, plan your night and we will see whether I will be with you or not, but probably not.” She grinned at her friend’s amazed expression.
She smiled, happy to see the x back. Presumably she had earned it, although she wasn’t sure how. She checked her emails and he had changed his flight to one leaving L.A. at six that night and due to land at Heathrow at noon the following day.
“Shit!” She hadn’t quite believed he would change his flight over a night out or a night in, although she knew it was about far more; their misunderstandings, her family, work and also her plans to meet up and celebrate with friends.
