Honey

by Tammy Lewis

  else. I’m just so unsure about Quinn and right now he is

  suffocating me and giving the circumstances, I haven’t got the

  heart to tell him to give me some space. I’m so happy and

  relieved that he is home safe and sound but…”

  Walking over and taking the card from the flowers, hearing

  Ashlee ask “but what honey, but what?”

  Looking down at the card, taking the greeting from its

  envelope, closing my eyes tightly, I replied “Friday changed

  everything. I’m not sure that I want to be with him anymore.”

  Taking the card from my hand that read: -

  “Thank you for everything, especially last night.

  I am so sorry that I missed you this morning.

  See you at 1pm

  Love Quinn”

  Ashlee suggested, “honey, I think that you need to tell him.”

  Hearing the office door open behind her and Marcus appear,

  looking slightly concerned, he asked “is everything ok?”

  Nodding and braving a smile, I replied “yeah, great thank

  you. Ashlee was just taking me through my calls and

  messages. Is everything ok with you?”

  Glaring over at the flowers on my desk, Marcus lowered his head and replied, “yeah, fine. I have to head out with a shoot,

  I won’t be back until after lunch. Do you want me to pick you

  up anything on my way back in?”

  Shaking my head, taking the card from Ashlee and holding it

  up, I replied “no, it’s ok. It would seem that I have plans.”

  Noticing Marcus’s tone lower, and a solemn look sweep

  across his face, as he sternly replied “sure. Ok then… Well, I

  will see you both later.”

  Feeling the knots tighten in the pit of my stomach, I took a

  deep breath and replied “ok, see you later.”

  Then just as quick as he had entered, suddenly he was gone.

  Hours later, seated at a cute little eatery a few blocks away

  from my office, Quinn held my hand over our table, all while

  he rambled on, telling me just how much he had missed me,

  the past few hours that we were apart. Drifting miles away,

  watching his lips move, but hearing absolutely nothing, it was

  then that his silence alarmed me. Noticing his eyes widen,

  gaining my focus, it was as though he was waiting for some

  kind of response. Snapping out of whatever this was, I asked

  “what’s up, sorry, what were you saying?”

  Frowning heavily, he repeated himself “I think that we should

  take that trip to Rome this weekend. I think a romantic

  weekend away is just what we need right now. After our

  horrendous weekend apart, I can’t think of anything more

  perfect than having you all to myself in the most romantic

  city, in the entire world.”

  Speechless I sat there, sure that was the furthest thing away

  from my mind right now, being seated across this table,

  inches away from him was too close. Though sure that I

  couldn’t let him down on his first day of freedom, braving a

  smile, I replied “let me think it over and I’ll let you know soon.”

  Squinting over at me, raising my hand to his lips, placing a

  single kiss on to my clenched fist, he asked “how long is

  soon?”

  Braving yet another smile, I replied “by the end of the day.”

  Noticing that his entire face began to relax, knowing that I

  was going to put him out of his misery and I wasn’t going to

  make him wait much longer.

  Chapter 33

  Hours later, back at the office, after my lunch with Quinn.

  Moments away from leaving for the day, though slightly

  unsure whether or not, Marcus had returned to take me

  home. Contemplating the awkwardness that living together

  would now bring, taking me out of my daze, Ashlee came

  bounding through my office door. Noticing the biggest smile

  that I had ever seen upon her face, while her whole body

  jigged happily, bouncing up and down. Curious I asked “Ash’,

  you’re scaring me, what’s up?”

  Alarmed by the heightened tone in her voice, she almost sang

  “you’ll never guess what has just happened… It’s

  unbelievable… all of my dreams have just come true.”

  Rushing over to her, wanting to relish in her excitement, I

  asked “what honey, what’s happened?”

  Holding on to both of my arms, almost screaming with

  excitement into my face, she replied “Marcus, he asked could

  he have a word with me in private. I thought that he just

  wanted to talk about you, but he didn’t. Dom’, he asked me out, after all of this time, he’s asked me out. He wants to take

  me out to dinner, tonight.”

  Feeling myself slowly die inside, yet trying to remain as

  supportive and as happy as I could for her. Backing away and

  returning to my desk, breathless I gushed “honey that’s

  incredible, he’s a great guy and you are going to be so perfect

  together.”

  Tilting her head and gazing over at me, she asked “are you ok

  with all of this? It’s not weird for you, is it?”

  Shaking my head, I replied “no honey, I’m fine. If there is

  anyone that deserves to be happy, then it’s definitely you and

  Marcus.”

  Hearing the office door open, it was then that Marcus

  appeared, smiling awkwardly, over at us both, he asked

  “Dom’ are you ready to go?”

  Nodding, fighting everything inside of me to retain my nerve,

  I replied “yeah! I’ll meet you downstairs.”

  Arriving home, after yet another silent car ride, to my

  surprise we were greeted by both Janine and Quinn. Who had

  been seated in Quinn’s car, outside our apartment, waiting for

  us to return home. Opening the passenger door for me to exit,

  Quinn pulled me up into his arms, feeling fragile, I didn’t

  resist, I let my whole body fall into him. Taking hold of my

  chin, bringing my lips to his, he began to kiss me, only

  releasing me to ask “Janine is leaving in a few hours, to fly

  back home. We were wondering if you’d both like to join us

  for dinner?”

  Looking over at Marcus, expressionless, staring straight into

  his eyes, I replied “I’d love to, it will give us all a chance to get

  reacquainted properly and discuss our trip to Rome this weekend.”

  Noticing Marcus’s glare heighten, hearing of my travel plans,

  all while Quinn held me tighter. Kissing me with pure

  happiness, now that I had complied and agreed to spend the

  weekend away with him.

  “Though I’m sorry Marcus won’t be able to join us, he has a

  date this evening,” I concluded, retaining my glare.

  “Maybe some other time,” Janine called out, as Marcus left us

  all standing and stormed off in the direction of our

  apartment’s front entrance.

  Lifting me up into his arms, looking at me with so much love

  and affection, that I was positive that I didn’t want or deserve.

  Appearing astounded by my answer, Quinn asked “really,

  you’re going to spend the weekend away with me, in Rome.

  No games.”

  Nodding, knowing that I was only complying, now that

  Marcus had well and truly move
d on, following our kiss, I

  replied “I promise, no games.”

  Leaving Marcus at home to get ready for his stupid date with

  my best friend and PA, I headed over to an elite eatery, near

  the airport with Janine and Quinn. To enjoy an intimate

  dinner, before dropping Janine off at the airport, for her

  impending flight back home.

  Hearing Janine laugh loudly across the table, while her and

  Quinn shared stories of their childhood, my mind began to

  wander. Contemplating every little scenario that may have

  occurred during Marcus’s date with Ashlee.

  Imagining them having the greatest time together, becoming

  this cute couple, that I would have to witness and put up with

  on a daily basis, both at work and at home. Cringing so hard

  at the thought of them together, her touching him, him kissing her. When once again I could feel my heart break.

  Raising his eyebrow at me across the table, noticing my

  solemn state, Quinn lifted his chair and carried it over to me.

  Sitting within touching distance, placing his arm around my

  waist, he pulled me into him.

  “You two are just the cutest, I can’t wait to get home and tell

  mom,” Janine gushed, resting her chin on her closed fist, at

  the edge of our table.

  “You’re going to have to come out to Maine for the weekend. I

  know mom would love to see you both,” she continued.

  Raising his eyebrows at Janine, Quinn’s eyes widened,

  silently summoning her to be quiet. Sure, that all of this meet

  the parents talk, knowing how easily I could be scared, I

  would have fled, without giving it a second thought. Feeling

  him stroke the top of my bare arm, trying his best to comfort

  me, I felt myself fall deeper, basking in my pitiful sorrow.

  Trying to hide the best that I could, that I would have

  preferred to have been anywhere else, other than here.

  Then just hours later, after parting ways with Janine, I found

  myself back at Quinn’s, seated in his living room, trying to

  gain some focus, as he poured us both another glass of wine.

  Sure, that he was trying his best to get me to ease up and

  relax. Taking our relationship back to where it had been,

  before the events of last weekend had took its toll.

  Taking me into his arms and lifting me up, Quinn carried me

  towards his bedroom. Kissing me, while he placed me down

  on to the bed, joining me, he proceeded to do exactly what I

  had expected him to do, from the moment that we had

  arrived, home together alone. Numb I lay there, allowing my

  body to be there with him, just an empty vessel, present for

  the moment. All while my mind had drifted miles away, somewhere else.

  Waking at dawn, wanting to escape and get back home, just

  so that I could have some breathing space, to get myself ready

  for work. Releasing Quinn’s arms, fixed tightly, from around

  my entire body, trying not to disturb him. Feeling highly

  relieved as he lay there silently. Collecting my clothes, I

  darted towards the front door. When suddenly, stopping dead

  in the middle of the corridor, I thought to myself ‘great, how

  on earth are you going to get home.’

  Contemplating calling Marcus, instantly hung up on the idea

  that maybe he had invited Ashlee to stay last night, after their

  date. Pressing my hand against the button to call the elevator,

  suddenly feeling someone’s presence behind me. I turned

  around slowly, to see Quinn, staring back at me, looking

  slightly disappointed at my attempted escape.

  “Two mornings in a row Ms Stone, you’ve left without saying

  goodbye…” Quinn teased.

  Then lowering his tone, sounding quite concerned, he asked

  “seriously though honey, how are you getting home, is Marcus

  outside waiting for you?”

  Shaking my head and closing my eyes tightly, I replied “no.

  Marcus isn’t outside.”

  Then with a look of sheer bewilderment, pulling me into him,

  Quinn asked “honey, are we okay?”

  Nodding, knowing that now should have been the perfect

  time to have come clean, instead taking the easy road. I

  replied “I just need to get home, I promise. I just need a hot

  shower and a change of clothes.”

  Kissing me softly and taking my hand, Quinn led me back into

  his apartment, while I sighed, knowing just how close I had

  come to escaping. Only to be captured and made to return.

  Reaching his hallway, unsure what to expect. I watched as he

  collected his car keys from a side table, next to the front door.

  Placing them into my hand and kissing me once more, he

  suggested “take my car.”

  Surprised by his suggestion, confused, I asked “really?”

  Nodding, Quinn smiled from his eyes, noticing his sparkle

  return, he took me into his arms, squeezing me tightly, he

  replied “of course. Unless you want me to drive you?”

  Shaking my head fiercely and returning his kiss, I thanked

  him for putting his trust in me, allowing me to take his car.

  All while he walked me down to the buildings underground

  garage and I promised to pick him up on my way into work.

  With him being adamant that he couldn’t miss another day,

  he needed to get back to his office.

  Arriving home, noticing Marcus in the kitchen, stood over at

  the coffee machine. Leaning against the kitchen door frame, I

  called out “good morning, how was your date, is Ashlee still

  here?”

  Turning, almost waiting for her to appear behind me,

  ignoring my question, Marcus asked “did you call a cab? Why

  didn’t you call me to come and get you?”

  Lifting Quinn’s car keys, watching Marcus’s mood instantly

  change, he grunted “what, he let you drive his Mercedes!”

  Then sniggering, in an adolescent tone, he asked “so does that

  mean that you are boyfriend and girlfriend now Dom’? Like

  you really needed to borrow his. Damn, you have two of

  those, of your own, parked downstairs!”

  Ignoring his unwelcoming, condescending tone, unsure why

  he was acting like this, knowing that he had forced my hand.

  When he had made out, that our encounter, was nothing but a

  huge mistake. Moving on, not even giving me a second thought, with none other, then one of my closest friends.

  Turning away from me and pouring himself a coffee, he called

  out “I guess that you won’t need a ride into work then?”

  Certain that I didn’t even need to reply, he already knew the

  answer. Instead, I left him standing there and proceeded to

  my room. Only to hear his tone suddenly change, sensing a

  hint of apprehension, he called out- “Dom’, do you love him?”

  Stood, frozen to the spot, in the hallway, trying to find the

  words, I was instantly at a loss. Hand on heart, I was positive,

  that I wasn’t in love with Quinn. But at the same time, so

  sure, that coming clean and admitting my true feelings to

  Marcus, would have opened a whole new can of worms.

  Having no strength to tell him, just how I really felt. Pretty

  certain that after our little cha
t, the morning after, that he

  clearly didn’t feel the same way about me.

  So, remaining silent, I didn’t reply.

  Chapter 34

  Arriving at my office, hours later, after returning the car to

  Quinn, I was instantly greeted by Ashlee. Grabbing hold of

  her arm, rushing her through, into my office. Sitting myself

  down, on the corner of my desk, I asked “right spill the beans

  Ash’, I want you to tell me everything.”

  Trying my best to hide the angst, spiralling deep down inside

  my soul. Almost sure that I needed to know everything that

  had happened last night. But at the same time, certain that I

  couldn’t bear to know any, of the gory details, that she may have wanted to have shared, concerning their date.

  Watching Ashlee’s entire face blush back at me, giggling like

  an adolescent school girl, she suggested “a lady never kisses

  and tells.”

  Raising my eyebrow at her in contempt, needing to know how

  quickly Marcus was able to forget about me and move on, I

  suggested “it was that good, hey Ash’. Marcus made it a real

  night to remember, did he?”

  Shaking her head, grinning from ear to ear, she replied “no

  Dom’, don’t be so silly. He was the perfect gentleman. We had

  an incredibly romantic meal at that new Italian place, near

  the art gallery… And then he took me home… And…”

  Anxiously awaiting her response, feeling the knots tighten

  inside of my stomach. She continued “…he thanked me for a

  great evening and then he kissed me on the cheek and wished

  me a goodnight.”

  Feeling my eyes widen, expecting it to be so much worse, but

  so happy, and relieved that it wasn’t, I asked “so, are you

  going to see him again?”

  When completely interrupting our entire conversation,

  Marcus entered, noticing Ashlee fight to contain herself, all

  while Marcus looked extremely awkward. Almost ignoring

  that she was even there, stood inches away from him. Cutting

  to the chase, Marcus, looking directly at me asked “well, as

  you’re going away with HIM this weekend and I have hardly

  seen you. What do you think about shooting some pool later?”

  Grinning, wanting to make this as hard as possible for him, to

  teach him a little lesson. That you should never play with a

  girl’s heart and emotions, I replied “we’d love to, wouldn’t we