Page 51 of Dance With Me
He went back into the house and started to tidy up, a smile on his face the whole time. He needed to get some washing done and change the bed in the guest room before Clare realised it had been slept in.
As he stepped into the room, his nose was filled with Seb’s scent. A subtle citrusy fragrance and something else that was all Seb. He breathed it in and let his hands linger on the pillowcase. He brought it to his face and inhaled. He’d never get enough. He stripped the bed and took the bed linen downstairs to the utility and put them on to wash.
The clothes Seb had worn, well, he might have just put those away in his drawer.
He spent the rest of his day going over Seb’s accounts. His last accountant had done a reasonable job, but Joe was determined to ensure that everything was done right and that Seb wouldn’t pay over the odds.
Satisfied that he’d done the best he could, he saved it all to his laptop and packed his bag for the following day. He ate a small dinner on his own and waited for Clare’s return. He was still deciding when he was going to tell her when his phone chimed.
Hi Joe, I’m staying with Samantha tonight. She’s had some bad news over the weekend, and I don’t want to leave her on her own. I hope you understand. I’ll see you tomorrow. Clare x
Joe looked at his phone. Well, that answered that one. He’d tell her tomorrow evening.
The following morning, Joe was feeling relieved and anxious at the same time. Relieved that he’d admitted his feelings to Seb but anxious because he still needed to tell Clare.
He’d messaged her asking what time she’d be home, but he’d had no response, either last night or this morning. He debated staying home from work today, so he could speak to her when she returned, but he had several meetings at the office that he couldn’t easily reschedule.
When he arrived, Hazel was waiting for him.
“How did the weekend go? Did you get a chance to tell Clare?”
“No, she didn’t come home last night. One of her friends had had some bad news over the weekend, so she stayed with her overnight.” With his current suspicions about Clare, he highly doubted she was telling the truth. It all seemed a little too convenient. He had no way of checking, though, so he would have to take her word for it.
“I did, however, have Seb over on Saturday to do his taxes, and he stayed for dinner after.”
Hazel raised her eyebrow. She didn’t need to say anything; her look said plenty.
“He might have stayed over until Sunday afternoon, but nothing happened. I swear! I did admit how I felt about him.” He moved to his desk and sat down.
“He what now? Seb stayed over? God, Joe. Clare could have come back any time on Sunday, and then where would you have been?”
He could tell she was shocked, but he’d known what he was doing.
“I know, it was probably not my best decision, but I knew she wasn’t coming back until Sunday evening, but then she didn’t, did she?” Joe’s suspicions that Clare might be seeing someone else grew stronger day by day.
“What did Seb say when you told him?” She looked concerned, but at least Joe could tell her his good news.
Joe smiled; he couldn’t help it. “He said he felt the same.” He grinned from ear to ear. “I couldn’t believe it. We had such a great time, Hazel. We had dinner together, drank wine, talked about everything and anything. It just felt right. I don’t want to jinx this, but I think we might make a go of this once I’ve told Clare. When I eventually tell Clare. I’m just hoping she’ll be home tonight so we can talk about it.”
She sat on the edge of his desk. “It won’t be easy, Joe. Have you thought about what you’re going to say?”
“Not really. I think I’ll cook us a meal and try to have a civilised conversation with her. I know I’ll have to be prepared.”
“Mmm, good luck with that. I’m glad you think she’s going to be reasonable about this, Joe. Ring me if you need back up; I’ll send Dave along.” They both laughed, knowing that Dave would be about as much use as a chocolate teapot. Hazel would be the better option by far.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, and she realises that it would have never worked. We wouldn’t have been happy in the long run, and it would have probably resulted in a very messy divorce. Good thing there’s no kids involved.”
“Be thankful for small mercies, Joe. Kids would have complicated things no end.” She got up and stood in front of his desk. “Neither of you wanted them?”
“Honestly? It isn’t something we’ve ever discussed. I suppose we both thought we were too old for them. Anyway, we best get started on the day, and I should start thinking about what to say later.” He sat down at his desk as she left his office.
A notification came through on his phone, and he picked it up, hoping it was Seb.
It was Clare.
Hi Joe, I’ll be home around five today. Can’t wait to see you. Clare x
It was going to be a long day.
