“I get what you’re saying, but you need lines drawn, everyone does, especially men. I am a man. I know how men think and most if not all get mixed signals when women treat them with warmth and fondness. Ultimately, all men think they’re irresistible and when women put kisses at the end of messages it confirms it.”
Tasha shook her head. She wasn’t sure he was right about the whole of the male population but could see he might have a point in some cases, but she wasn’t ready to admit that yet.
“You need to keep that formality in place to avoid confusion. He wants to be in your pants and when you call him Jerome and text him a kiss you are inviting him into them, and I am the only one who goes there.”
“He’s married,” she sighed. “I woke his wife up one time when I called, maybe twice,” Tasha said, thinking Jim was way off the mark on any designs Jerome Stewart might have on her.
“Irrespective of his marital status you make yourself look available and you make me look a dick when you do those things, so it needs to stop.” He was calm still, but very serious.
A pout formed on Tasha’s lips.
He laughed at her, slightly disbelievingly. “Oh, baby, you have sealed your own fate. Show me where this shower that will force a tight squeeze is.”
****
When Lucy and Ryan returned Jim had changed into blue jeans and a white t-shirt and looked absolutely gorgeous, and smelt just as good as he looked. Tasha was wearing jeans and a semi translucent white blouse with a white camisole underneath. She’d avoided trainers, instead opting for strappy sandals.
“Pub and a kebab on the way home, is it?” asked Ryan of Tasha.
“Whatever suits you, my grandma served huge portions at lunchtime.”
“What is the shampoo you use?” Ryan asked Tasha. “It makes my hair really shiny.” He stroked his hair to Tasha’s amusement.
“About thirty-five quid a bottle.”
“Shit! No wonder it shines.” He laughed as he went to get changed.
“Sorry about the shampoo,” said Lucy. “And the amount of space he has taken over in the bathroom.”
“Yeah he has left me the edge of just one shelf.” She smiled, but was slightly put out.
“I will get him to move some of his stuff,” Lucy offered.
“Don’t worry about it.” Tasha realised she’d need very little bathroom space when she was in L.A. and also thought her mild irritation was probably more about her own feeling of frustration rather than lack of shelf space.
Ryan appeared with a clean t-shirt and grabbed his wallet. “Come on then, the first round is on me and my shiny hair.”
Throughout the night Tasha found Ryan to be charming, funny and very attractive. She could certainly see why Lucy had fallen so hard for him. He regaled them with serious stories of fire rescues and also the silly side of his job.
They had a really nice night together and Tasha was pleased the conversation had been light and easy. Jim seemed to be genuinely relaxed and as they walked back to the flat, via the kebab shop he looped an arm around her waist and held her tightly.
Once back home, Lucy insisted on opening a bottle of wine and after a couple of glasses told Tasha, “I did a designer shoot with Jake on Friday and you will never guess who our lead model was.”
Tasha shrugged as she draped her legs across Jim.
“Tyler,” shrieked Lucy.
Tasha looked at her nervously. “That’s nice.”
“Who’s Tyler?” asked Ryan.
“Just an old friend,” said Tasha with false nonchalance.
“And then some,” said Lucy laughing. “Everyone we knew was so jealous of Tash when she was seeing Tyler. He is absolutely gorgeous and he was so into our Tasha.” She laughed at her unplanned double entendre.
Tasha leapt to her feet. “But, Tasha wasn’t that into him and it seems a very long time ago. I think I might go to bed.” She looked at the clock but didn’t register the time after glaring at Lucy.
“Yeah, me too. I’m on an early shift in the morning.” Ryan was already standing.
