Page 144 of Love ad Lib
His words were like knives of ice to the heart. This was what everyone would think if they knew their relationship was fake from the start.
‘No, of course, he didn’t,’ she hissed back.
‘Then what the fuck is all that?’ Lucas gestured angrily towards Henry, who stood watching them.
‘Things changed.’
Lucas ran his hands through his greasy hair. It flopped straight back over his eyes.
He tutted. ‘You’vechanged.’
‘What is that supposed to mean?’
‘You know, Lib-Lob. You’ve crossed over. You’re hanging out on the other side of the fence. But they’ll never accept you as one of their own. Don’t think this is going to end with you as Lady of the Manor.’
Her stomach heaved at his words. It was like the break-up with Giles. Neither he nor his family wanted someone like her. Lucas had just articulated her deepest fears about her relationship with Henry.
She swallowed the bile in her throat. ‘What are you doing here, Lucas?’
He looked at her askance. ‘Is that how you speak to your friends now?’
She stared at him, full of fury, but her heart still breaking. She couldn’t believe how much she’d loved this man and how much he’d taken from her. She peered at his face. The skin around his left eye looked different.
‘Are you wearing make-up?’
He glanced away and she could see the left side of his face was slightly swollen.
‘What happened to you?’
‘I was attacked.’
Her hand automatically shot out to his arm. ‘Oh my god, by who?’
He shrugged. ‘One of the owners of the gallery.’
She dropped her hand, realising what must have happened.
‘Saphy’s husband?’
He stared at her in shock. ‘Do you know him?’
She shook her head.
‘Why did he hit you?’ she asked, already knowing the real answer.
‘Because the fucker’s got no taste. He wouldn’t know art if it smacked him in the nuts.’ He sighed. ‘Lib-Lob, I need your help.’
‘What kind of help?’
‘The show’s been cancelled. He’s blacklisted me, and a load of the buyers have pulled out.’
Her heart sank. Now she’d never get her money back.
‘And what can I do about it?’ She tried to keep her voice even.
‘You’re my best friend, Lib-Lob. I’ve got nowhere else to turn. I need a bit more help to get me back on my feet.’
‘I don’t have any money, Lucas,’ she hissed. ‘I gave it all to you, remember?’
