Page 22 of Losing Control
“I mean, Tom never celebrated your six month anniversary, but Michael, he’s like the guy that is too good to be true.”
“He is,” I say as I look at Michael through lust-filled eyes. He’s leaning against the bar, his muscular arms on display, his handsome face smiling at something Jeremy is saying.
“I’m glad that you found him,” Kim says seriously, placing her hand on my arm to gain my attention.
“Thank you.”
“I just wish that I had never listened to Nancy.”
“It’s all water under the bridge. We all know the truth, and that’s all that matters.”
“Absolutely,” Kim says as she picks up her wine glass and drains the last mouthful.
“Hi, ladies,” a voice says making both of us turn our heads in its direction.
“Oh, Tyler,” I say, caught off guard at his appearance.
“Hey, Tyler,” Kim says.
“Are you two on your own?” Tyler asks us. I am about to answer but Kim beats me to it.
“Well, we are for now,” Kim says with a wink.
“Oh cool. Can I join you for a bit?”
“Sure,” Kim answers.
I feel a bit of my relaxation fade as Tyler sits next to me. Michael doesn’t like Tyler and he won’t be happy with Kim inviting him to sit with us. I can kind of see why Michael might have a problem, I mean, Tyler is only nineteen years old, he’s young, he’s easy on the eye with his black hair styled so that it goes up in a small quiff at the front, his bright green eyes sparkle, and toned physique, but all I see is a boy. He’s not a man, and he’s definitely nothing like my Michael.
“So, what are two good-looking ladies like you doing sat on their own?” Tyler says at the most inappropriate moment as Michael and Jeremy come back to the table. I freeze when I see Michael’s jaw clench.
“They’re not on their own,” Michael bites out behind gritted teeth.
“Oh, hey, man,” Tyler says.
“Who’s this?” Jeremy asks. His reaction is polar opposites to Michael’s. Jeremy is smiling, whereas Michael looks like he wants to drag Tyler out of here.
“This is Tyler, he works with us,” Kim says before adding, “And Lucy is Tyler’s boss.”
“Nice to meet you,” Jeremy says, extending his hand to Tyler. The two guys shake hands and Michael still hasn’t moved. He catches my eye and I can see a fire blazing in his, and not in a good way. He looks to Tyler and I can literally see him assessing how close Tyler is sat to me. I need to rectify this situation quick.
“Excuse me, Tyler, can I just get past you so that I can use the toilet,” I say.
“Sure.” Tyler jumps up and lets me slide out of the booth.
“Thanks.”
I walk away, hoping that Michael calms down by the time that I get back from the toilets. Tyler is just a work colleague, and Michael needs to reign in his dislike of him.
I enter the toilets, use the facilities and wash up after. Taking a few deep breaths, I exit the toilets and am stunned as I am abruptly pulled into a small hallway, just by the side of the toilets. I let out a yelp from the fingers that are gripped tightly around my arm. I am about to scream when I am turned around and I come face to face with Michael.
“Shit, Michael, you scared the hell out of me.” I breathe a sigh of relief that it is just him. I go to move my arm away, but his grip is still tight, and I wince from the pain.
“Michael, you’re hurting me,” I say, realising that he probably doesn’t register his own strength. I expect him to loosen up, but he doesn’t. He just stares at me, a dark look in his eyes.
“Michael, please,” I say, trying to keep myself calm.
“I told you that I didn’t like Tyler.”
