United States of Love: HarperImpulse Contemporary Romance

by Sue Fortin

  Anna closed the blinds to her living room as the City Car taxi pulled up and Zoe got out.

  ‘Right I'm off.’

  ‘Where are you going again?’ asked Mark, looking up from the TV.

  ‘Just out with the Zoe into town.’

  ‘Yeah, but where?’

  ‘Not sure yet. The Fish and Fly maybe. We'll probably go to a couple of different places. Why?’ Anna eyed Mark suspiciously.

  ‘No reason, just asking,’ said Mark defensively. ‘I might go out for a pint tonight. Didn't want to bump into you and cramp your style. Besides, sitting with you two isn't exactly my idea of fun. Witches of Eastwick or MacBeth spring to mind. “When shall we three meet again, in thunder, lightning or in rain.”’ He gave Anna a wink.

  ‘That might have been funny if there were three of us,’ said Anna dryly as she buttoned up her navy duffel jacket and made for the door. ‘See you later. Don't wait up!’

  The Fish and Fly was a popular pub that had recently been refurbished with low tables and several deep-seated leather sofas, as well as the more traditional table and chairs and high-backed bar stools. What Anna liked about the pub was that it attracted all sorts of people and ages, with a nice party-like atmosphere in the evenings but relaxed enough that you didn't have to shout in each other’s ears to have a conversation.

  As she walked in with Zoe, Anna scanned the room, looking for Tex, although he did say eight and it was only seven thirty. Having arrived early, the pub wasn’t too busy yet and there were plenty of empty tables. Anna ushered Zoe to one that gave the perfect position to clock who came in.

  ‘I would just love to swap places with Nathan for the day and see how he copes,’ Zoe regaled. ‘The organisation it took was second only to the D-Day Landings. I took Henry and Emily to the park for well over an hour after nursery to wear them out, then settled Henry in front of a Fireman Sam DVD so I could shower, having Emily in her bouncer chair in the bathroom to entertain her with funny faces and stupid dances whilst washing my hair.’

  ‘The things we do,’ said Anna absently, looking towards the door for what seemed like the one-hundredth time.

  ‘I was just glad it didn't rain. Even remotely damp and my hair frizzles up.’ Zoe smoothed her hair down, as if checking her worst nightmare hadn't turned into a reality. ‘And the car journey home was as fraught as ever with all three boys trying to talk to me at once. I'm trying to concentrate on driving whilst appearing to take a keen interest in the twins' day at school. Things like the latest Club Penguin collectors’ card, or who had played “It” at playtime, what they had for school dinner, and why the whole class had to miss Golden Time because Callum Jones had cut the end off Rebecca Mosley's plait. Anna? Anna? Anna, are you even listening?’

  ‘What?’ Anna winced inwardly and forced herself to look away from the pub entrance.

  ‘Only you seem very interested in the door. I know I don't get out much and may be a bit boring, but surely it hasn't come to the point where a lump of wood is more entertaining!’ Zoe feigned a hurtful look.

  ‘Sorry.’

  ‘Willpower alone won’t make your new boyfriend turn up any quicker.’

  ‘He's not my boyfriend,’ protested Anna.

  ‘Yeah, but he soon will be, I can tell,’ said Zoe, giving Anna a dismissive wave of her hand.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Anna noticed Tex, Jamie and Yvonne arrive. Perfect timing. As her gaze was met by Tex when she turned round to acknowledge them, she felt her heart give a little flip. She was aware that she was smiling broadly and although Tex smiled back, he didn't look relaxed. There was a tension in his face and an apologetic expression as they came over to the table.

  Tex bent down and kissed Anna on the cheek, then spoke quietly into her ear. ‘I'm sorry, but we seem to have picked up an extra guest. It's not what you think.’

  Confused, Anna had no chance to reply. Jamie stood before the table smiling brightly at her, but Yvonne’s warm greeting was followed by the briefest of grimaces as she moved aside so Anna could see.

  ‘Hello everyone,’ said Christine, stepping out from behind them both. She looked very glamorous in her high-heeled stilettoes and tight white jeans, a floaty sheer blouse and undulating brunette hair. Christine gave Anna and Zoe an appraising once-over, stroking her hair over one shoulder and then puffing the ends with perfectly manicured hands.

  ‘This is Christine Bennett, you met her the other day,’ Tex reminded Anna.

  ‘Hi, again,’ Anna said, not sure what was going on.

  ‘I'm Zoe, Anna's sister-in-law.’ Zoe held out her hand towards Jamie’s wife. ‘And you must be Yvonne? Anna mentioned it was your birthday. Many happy returns for the day.’

  ‘Anyone like a drink?’ asked Jamie rather too cheerfully. ‘What are you girls drinking? Wine? I'll just get a bottle and we can all have a drink to toast the lovely birthday girl. Come on, Tex, you can give me a hand.’

  ‘Just water for me,’ said Tex. ‘I’m driving.’

  ‘I didn't realise you were meeting friends,’ said Christine. ‘I wouldn't have gatecrashed if I'd known. I’d only popped round to show Tex some more samples.’

  ‘Oh, there wasn’t anything definite arranged,’ explained Anna, trying to ignore the strange agitated feeling rolling around in the pit of her stomach.

  ‘So, you’re working for Tex,’ asserted Christine, tossing her hair from her shoulder.

  ‘We’ve just taken Anna on,’ explained Yvonne.

  ‘Oh, I see.’ Christine directed her comment to Anna. ‘That makes two of us working for him.’

  ‘Four actually,’ put in Yvonne. ‘Technically, Jamie and I work for Tex too.’

  ‘He’s got himself quite an entourage then.’ Christine pursed her lips. ‘All trying to please him, no doubt.’

  ‘Looks like I’m the odd one out,’ said Zoe with a little laugh.

  With a look that Anna could only describe as withering, Christine raised her eyebrows at Zoe. ‘Quite.’

  Jamie returned with wine and drinking glasses. Tex brought a couple of stools over, passing one to Jamie, and was about to put his next to Anna, when Christine shuffled her chair along instead, indicating to the gap between herself and Yvonne.

  ‘Here we are, Tex. There's space here for you. I'll budge up next to … err … Sorry, I can't remember your name.’

  ‘Anna.’ There was something about Christine that Anna didn't like. Call it women's intuition but she felt sure Christine was trouble.

  Zoe excused herself to go to the Ladies’.

  Moments later, Anna could feel her phone in her bag vibrating against her leg. She bent down and discreetly looked at the message she had just received.

  Awkward or what?!!!!

  It came from Zoe, who at that moment returned to her seat.

  Anna had to make a deliberate effort not to laugh out loud, and avoided looking at Zoe. She knew she wouldn't be able to control herself if she did. Instead, she let her gaze wander across to the bar where a hen party had just gathered. The bride-to-be was bedecked with fairy wings, tutu and L-plates, and her friends, similarly attired and giggling noisily, were already lining up vodka shots.

  ‘Oh, before I forget, Anna,’ said Tex. ‘Are you free on Monday for work? I need help looking for an apartment to rent.’

  ‘Oh, I could help you,’ piped up Christine, her hand resting on Tex’s arm. ‘I have an eye for that sort of thing, as you know.’

  ‘That’s very kind of you, Christine, but I need Anna to help me with all the legal stuff, words and terminology, the…’

  ‘Jargon?’ suggested Anna, looking back at Tex.

  ‘Exactly! Jargon. See what I mean? I need to make sure that I am not taken advantage of.’

  Anna doubted very much that Tex would let himself be taken advantage of, business wise or any wise for that matter. She looked questioningly at Jamie.

  ‘That would be great if you could,’ confirmed Jamie. ‘I know it's short notice but that's how it is som
etimes.’

  ‘Monday? Yes, that's okay.’ Anna smiled, satisfied that she had muscled Christine out.

  ‘Great. I’ll pick you up at eleven o’clock.’ Tex looked as if he were trying to supress a grin when he picked up his glass of water.

  ‘No, it's okay, I'll drive. I’ll meet you at the church,’ said Anna quickly, not wishing to be told what to do. She preferred to do things herself these days.

  ‘Fine. Good.’ Tex looked at her thoughtfully for a moment before smiling.

  Christine let out a scoffing sort of noise. The look on her face could only be described as poisonous, and Anna decided this was a good moment to nip to the Ladies’ and head off any more talk of her meeting up with Tex.

  Leaning back against the sink, Anna took a couple of deep breaths. To her, it was obvious that Christine, whoever she was, didn't approve of her working with Tex. She couldn’t help feeling that there was history between the two of them. Recent history. A thought which deflated any elation she felt.

  The door opened and in came Lucifer’s daughter herself. Christine.

  ‘Oh, hi,’ said Anna.

  Christine joined her at the sink and opened her bag. ‘You and Tex, just a working relationship is it?’ she said, before dabbing at her lips with Dusky Pink No.7.

  ‘Yes it is. Why do you ask?’

  ‘I was just wondering, that's all.’ Christine stopped applying the lipstick to smile condescendingly in the mirror at Anna. ‘Have you got a boyfriend? Husband?’

  ‘Ex husband, sort of ex. We're separated,’ replied Anna, unsure where this conversation was going.

  ‘Not divorced then?’

  ‘No, it's complicated.’

  Christine then took out a small, white, round bottle of perfume. Christian Dior, Pure Poison. How appropriate, thought Anna, watching as Christine sprayed herself on her neck and on each wrist, rubbing her wrists together.

  Putting the bottle and lipstick away, Christine said, ‘Tex and I… People assume we have just a working relationship, but then when we go out as a couple they think otherwise.’ She whisked the zipper shut on the bag and looked directly at Anna. ‘It's complicated.’

  With that, she left the toilets.

  Anna stood there trying to process the information. Okay, was Christine implying that she was actually in some sort of relationship with Tex? The sudden feeling of jealousy that seemed to come from nowhere surprised her.

  Instead of going straight back to the table, Anna went through the door at the back of the pub and out into the courtyard garden. At the far end stood a small gazebo sheltering several people who were sitting around a table and smoking. Leaning against the wall of the pub, Anna rested her head back, took a deep breath of fresh air, and tried to work out exactly what Christine had meant. Perhaps Christine was staking her claim over Tex. Warning her off. And still the niggling feeling of jealousy and mistrust wouldn't completely go away; it kept nudging its way to the forefront of her mind.

  Anna was just thinking she ought to get back when the sight of Tex coming into the courtyard made her stay put. She was getting used to the little skip her heart gave every time she saw him. She watched him walk over to her. He didn't make eye contact or say anything as he stood beside her. He copied her stance, and still without speaking, just stared straight ahead at the opposite wall, as if contemplating the departure board at Victoria Station.

  ‘There is nothing between Christine and myself,’ he said quietly after a few moments. ‘There was something at one time, but not anymore.’

  A sensation of relief zinged in Anna’s stomach. So, she had been right in suspecting there had been something between the two of them. But it was in the past, apparently. A voice at the back of her mind was saying she shouldn’t really let it bother her – he was her client, nothing else.

  ‘It’s not really any of my business, you don’t have to explain,’ she said, although she so didn't mean it. ‘It doesn't affect our working relationship.’

  Tex turned to face her. ‘No, that is true, it doesn’t affect our working relationship. But it does affect our personal one.’ He took a step closer and drew her into his arms.

  Anna couldn’t quite bring herself to resist, even though she knew she should. Sinking into him and closing her eyes, she let herself be held, her head resting under his chin. It felt good. He felt good. She pulled away slightly so she could look up into his deep brown eyes.

  ‘But we don’t have a personal relationship,’ Anna said without conviction. She knew she should be disentangling herself. This was highly unprofessional. But, God, she so wanted to kiss him again. Tex seemed to have the same idea as he slowly moved his mouth closer to hers.

  The moment was broken by a commotion in the doorway as the sound of high heels on the flagstone coming to an abrupt halt, accompanied by ‘Argh!’ and ‘Oops!’ made Anna and Tex look round. Despite herself, Anna couldn't help laughing. Zoe had obviously come looking for her. On seeing her and Tex in an embrace, Zoe must have stopped dead in her tracks, but in so doing, lost her footing on the wet floor and stumbled across the step.

  ‘Sorry!’ Zoe pulled an eek sort of face at Anna before spinning around and half hobbling back into the pub.

  Tex grinned at Anna. ‘Perfect timing.’ He shook his head, letting Anna go, but as he slid his hand down her arm, he held onto her hand.

  Anna could feel the electricity running between them. ‘Sorry, we'd better go back in or there'll be another search party out looking for you.’

  She let her hand drop away as they went back inside. She laughed to herself at the thought of never washing her hand again now that Tex had touched it, a bit like those fans who had been able to touch Elvis!

  Jamie, Yvonne and Christine were putting on their coats. Christine looked decidedly unhappy at the sight of Anna and Tex together.

  ‘Could you take me home please, Tex?’ Christine asked. ‘I’m really not feeling well.’

  Tex looked at Anna. ‘Sorry but I am driving. I will have to go.’

  ‘It's okay.’ Anna ran her hand down the top of Tex's arm and touched him again with her other hand. That was two hands she couldn't wash now. ‘You'd better go.’ As she spoke, Anna caught sight of Zoe. The look of concern on her face alarmed Anna immediately. Almost within a nanosecond Anna felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked round and up, and then gasped.

  ‘Mark! What are you doing here?’

  Chapter Eleven

  ‘Hello, Anna,’ replied Mark casually. ‘Fancy seeing you here. Hello, Zoe. Lovely to see you.’

  ‘Likewise,’ said Zoe, who clearly didn’t mean it.

  Mark moved to Anna’s side and smiled at everyone. ‘Hope I’m not interrupting anything, but I just popped in for a drink and saw my wife here. What a coincidence.’ He grinned at Anna and, putting a proprietorial arm around her shoulder, pulled her towards him. Anna tried to wriggle away but Mark’s hand was holding her firm.

  ‘Oh, so you’re Anna’s husband,’ said Christine.

  ‘Certainly am,’ said Mark with satisfaction, then to Anna, ‘We need to talk.’

  ‘Here? Now?’ Anna jerked her head away from Mark and glanced at Tex.

  Tex watched silently, his face impassive, and although he was neither smiling nor scowling, there was an unmistaken hardened look to his eyes that matched the tension in his voice. ‘Don’t let us interrupt you. We are leaving anyway.’

  Anna couldn’t help but feel disappointed at the rather warmer goodbye Tex directed at Zoe than the mere nod of the head proffered at her. She watched as the quartet left, Christine flashing a self-satisfied smile in her direction. Anna found herself looking daggers in response.

  ‘Hope it wasn’t anything I said,’ grinned Mark, with what Anna could only describe as temerity.

  ‘What’s with introducing yourself as my husband?’ Irritated didn’t even come close to how she felt towards Mark.

  Mark finally released his hold, looking all innocent. ‘What’s wrong with that? I am your husband,
after all.’

  ‘You know perfectly well what’s wrong with that. Anyway, what’s so important that it can’t wait until I get home or tomorrow? I am actually having a night out with Zoe.’

  ‘It looked more than a night out with Zoe. Who’s that bloke you came back in with?’

  ‘Just my client.’

  ‘Just your client, eh?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘If you say so.’

  ‘I do.’

  ‘Not the same client that gave you a lift home the other day by any chance?’

  ‘Piss off, Mark,’ she snapped.

  Mark held her gaze for a moment before turning to Zoe. ‘You couldn’t give us a minute, could you?’

  Zoe looked questioningly at Anna, who rolled her eyes. ‘I’ll just be at the bar then.’ Zoe picked up her bag and edged past her brother-in-law.

  ‘Well?’ said Anna, impatiently turning on Mark.

  ‘Let’s sit down.’ He gestured towards the seats. ‘That’s better. Look, I was just out for a drink. I forgot you said you’d be here, but when I saw you with your client, I was, well, hurt.’

  ‘Hurt?’

  ‘Yeah, like shocked. Jealous, I suppose.’

  ‘Jealous?’

  ‘Blimey, Anna, it’s like having a conversation with an echo.’ Mark let out a sigh. ‘You know how I feel about you, I told you the other night. You said you were going to think about things. Since then you’ve avoided me like a dose of the clap.’

  ‘Mark, this isn’t the time either,’ said Anna gently.

  ‘See, you’re doing it again. You’re avoiding the issue. Avoiding us.’

  Anna took a deep breath. ‘There is no “us”. I told you that the other day. Getting back together just isn’t an option anymore. If anything, we should be looking to make our separation official. Taking it a step further. Divorce.’

  ‘Divorce?’ Mark sat back, as if the word had been spat at him. ‘You want a divorce? Where the fuck did that idea come from? We’ve never talked about divorce before. Never.’

  ‘Maybe it’s about time we did,’ said Anna carefully. She could see a muscle beginning to twitch in his jaw, tension visible in his neck, spreading down through his shoulders, reaching his hands as he balled and unballed his fists. A familiar sign that an explosion of temper was on the way.