I stared at him. ‘What’s the catch?’
Rhys smiled, a roguish grin I used to love. ‘First, have a proper meal with me. Then... well, I’ll need a favour from you later. After that, I’ll tell you. Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to get back together with me.’ He picked up the menu and began to order.
When the food arrived, the table was covered with all my favourites. It left me with a complicated mix of feelings.
I didn’t understand it. Why was it only after we’d broken up that Rhys started showing a thoughtfulness he’d never once displayed when we were together?
It wasn’t that he hadn’t known what I liked back then; he just hadn’t cared.
He hurt me first, and now he was trying to make it up to me, going out of his way to be nice.
And Ashton was the complete opposite. He’d first worn down my defences with his overbearing care and by forcefully inserting himself into my life. Just when I’d fallen in love with him, he’d started doing things that hurt me in ways I couldn’t comprehend.
It struck me that I didn’t understand men at all. I had no idea what went on in their heads.
Why did relationships have to be so messy, so utterly devoid of logic or reason?
Maybe being single might just be easier.
‘Let’s eat,’ Rhys said to me.
I looked up at the sound of Ashton’s voice.
I hadn’t noticed him come in. He was standing beside our table, radiating a cold, palpable anger.
Seeing him didn’t surprise me. Ever since I’d proposed to him after we got back from that deserted island, he’d become incredibly clingy, always finding ways to stick by my side.
At least, that was the case until Genevieve showed up... The source of thɪs content is NoveI(F)ire.net
I felt no panic, no guilt. There was nothing between Rhys and me, so I had nothing to feel guilty about. I just looked at Ashton calmly. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I came to check on you. Your fever hasn’t completely broken. This isn’t the right sort of food for you.’
Rhys raised an eyebrow at him. ‘Don’t worry, Mr Laurent. Everything I ordered is light and suitable for Mirabelle. After all, I know her tastes better than you do.’
A darker shadow passed behind Ashton’s eyes. ‘You took Mirabelle to your house without her consent. That’s unlawful detention. Expect a call from my solicitor.’
Rhys looked utterly unbothered. ‘It was an emergency. Taking her to my place was the most practical thing to do, especially as my neighbour is a doctor. And you...’ He gave Ashton a mocking look. ‘Where exactly were you while all this was happening, oh devoted husband?’
Ashton’s fists clenched.
I really didn’t want to see the two of them get into a public brawl, though a part of me desperately wanted to throw something myself. What a complete nightmare this was.
I cut in before Ashton could respond. ‘Alright, I’ve had enough.’ I stood up and said to Ashton, ‘Let’s go.’
‘Fine. Next time, then,’ Rhys said with a smile directed at me, before turning a look of pure provocation on Ashton.
I simply took Ashton’s arm and led him out.
I didn’t offer any explanation once we were outside. If he trusted me, he wouldn’t need one. If he didn’t, anything I said would be pointless.
Besides, wasn’t this exactly how he treated me? I was just giving him a taste of his own medicine.
‘I’m going back to the studio,’ I said.
‘You barely touched anything. Are you sure you’ve eaten enough?’ Ashton caught my arm as I turned to leave.
‘Well, I haven’t eaten. I’m starving. Keep me company?’ The look in his eyes was so pleading that, in the end, my resolve softened.
He took me to another restaurant. Whether it was to spite Rhys or for some other reason, he ordered almost exactly the same dishes Rhys had chosen.
Looking at all my favourite foods laid out like that just made me tired. Was this his idea of making it up to me? Because I didn’t need this kind of apology.
After a silent meal, Ashton said, ‘Go for a walk?’
I shook my head. ‘I don’t have time. I need to get back to work.’
Ashton didn’t push it. ‘Okay. I’ll drive you.’
Over the next few days, my fever cleared up completely and business at the studio slowly picked up again.
Everything seemed to be getting back on track, but things between Ashton and me remained lukewarm. We were less like a newlywed couple and more like two polite strangers sharing a house.
One night, as we were getting into bed, Ashton said, ‘There’s a function tomorrow evening. Come with me.’
‘No, I’m busy.’ I turned over, putting my back to him. I didn’t want to discuss it.
The last time I’d gone to a function with him, I’d run into Genevieve. That woman was still haunting my life like a bad ghost. The last thing I wanted was to go to another party and risk meeting someone like her again.
The night was very quiet. I could hear the sound of our breathing in the dark, but neither of us spoke.
I have no idea how much time passed before I finally drifted into a fitful sleep.
The next day, since Ashton was attending his function, I made plans to have dinner with Yvaine.
Just as I was leaving the studio, Rhys appeared again. ‘Mirabelle. You remember you promised to do me a favour.’
‘If I don’t, you won’t give me the recording?’
‘I know it’s a rotten thing to do, but I couldn’t think of any other way to get you to spend a bit more time with me.’
‘I could always ask Louisa, or Clive Granger. Even Daniel,’ I said coldly.