Page 39 of Dance With Me
“I know. I’m not sure what time I’ll be finishing though. I’ve meetings all day and might need to go out to dinner with the new client we’re trying to bring on.” Nothing of the sort was happening, and Joe was stupidly trying to avoid her at all costs. Why he couldn’t just come clean, he didn’t know. What he did know was that he didn’t have time this morning.
“I’m flying out to Ireland tomorrow afternoon for my hen weekend, and I wanted to get it done before I went. I suppose it’ll have to wait until I’m home on Monday now.” Clare looked disappointed.
“If I could avoid it, I would, but you know how it is. I am a senior partner, and it’s expected of me.” He leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek. “I need to go, or else I’ll be late.”
“Yeah, wouldn’t want to keep Hazel waiting,” she said dismissively and turned to go upstairs with her coffee. “Let me know what you’re doing later,” she called down to him.
“Will do,” he shouted up. “Bye.”
He left the house, locking up behind him, the drive to work not taking as long this time of the morning. He arrived just before eight, and contrary to what he’d told Clare, the meeting didn’t start until nine, but he’d needed to get out of the house. It washishouse but the constant bickering and arguing was making it uncomfortable.
He made his way to the office, grabbing another coffee from the kitchen on the way, and sat at his desk. He may as well work whilst he was there, so he turned on his computer and opened up the agenda for the meeting.
“You’re here early.” Hazel breezed into his office a little later and sat down. “Meeting’s not until nine.”
“I know. Just wanted to get out of the house and get an early start on today.” He sipped his coffee, trying to appear nonchalant.
“A likely story. What’s really going on?” Hazel fixed him with a stare. “Have you seen Clare?”
“I saw her briefly before I left this morning. She was asleep on the sofa when I got up, didn’t even make it to bed, but she woke up when I was having breakfast. I might have told her the meeting started at eight, so I could get out of the way.” Joe refused to meet her eyes, not wanting to know what he’d see there.Not pity, he hoped. He didn’t want her pity.
“Oh, Joe.” She moved around the desk and bent down to hug him in his chair. “You need to tell her. This can’t carry on.”
“I also might have mentioned that I’m out with clients tonight and don’t have time to talk about the wedding.” Joe winced, even he thought it was a lame excuse.
“Tonight would have been ideal. All out in the open. What’s stopping you?”
“I just don’t know. I have no reason not to tell her. I think I’m just doing this for selfish reasons so I can see Seb.” Jesus, could he be any more pathetic?
Hazel hugged him again. “You’ve really got it bad for him, don’t you?”
“He’s all I can think about. We went out last night, down to the coast with his dog. It was amazing, just spending time with him, talking, laughing. It made me realise what I was missing with Clare. We’ve become like roommates, who currently argue—a lot—and sometimes don’t even sleep in the same bed. I can’t even say we’ve just become comfortable with each other because I don’t think we are. She avoids me at every turn, and I’m spending less and less time in the house. It’s my house, Hazel, and I don’t want to be there.” He felt tears forming in his eyes and turned away. He couldn’t let her see him like this.
“I can’t do it tonight. I’ve already told her I’m going out with clients. She’s off to Ireland tomorrow on her hen weekend and to see her family. I’ll tell her on Monday when she comes back, and then it’ll be done.” Joe had pulled himself together and turned to face her.
“What will you do in the meantime, over the weekend? You know you’re welcome at ours anytime,” Hazel said, rubbing his back.
“I’m going to go visit Jayne and Aidan tonight. Tell them what I’m going to do. Not sure how happy she’ll be, but I’ll hang off telling my parents until I’ve told Clare. I didn’t have much planned for this weekend even though she was going to be away, but, and this is a big but, I might try to spend some time with Seb again.”
“OK, well, if you need anything in the meantime or just want to talk, you know where I am. Where we are. You’re like family to us, Joe, and we just want to see you happy.” Hazel kissed his head.
“Thanks. You know you and Dave mean the world to me too.” Joe wiped his face. Stupid tears. “I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have friends like you.”
“Just know that we’ll be here, whatever happens.” She walked out of the office and closed the door.
Joe sipped at his now cold coffee. Yep, he was going to need all of his friends in the coming days.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Seb
When Seb woke on Thursday morning, Rocco was still sleeping. The run the night before had really tired him out. He wasn’t a puppy anymore, but at the age of eight, Seb hoped he had a few more years in him yet. Rocco had lived with his parents for a while, and when Seb moved into this place, he’d made sure to bring him home.
He stepped out to the kitchen where Natalia was sitting eating cereal.
“Hi, babe. How did last night go? I didn’t hear you come in.”
“It was good. Rocco certainly enjoyed the run in the sea. We got in around ten thirty. You were fast asleep.” Seb poured himself some coffee and leaned against the counter. He certainly felt more relaxed after last night.
