No Ordinary Love(25)

Isabella nodded. “Of course I’m sure. It’s not as if she goes to great lengths to hide it. She just won’t talk about it. When we’re together it’s this frenzy of sex and lust and hormones and, frankly, I find myself unable to bring it up. And yes, I know how ridiculous that sounds coming from my mouth.”

The taxi driver sighed as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders because he was stuck in cross-harbour traffic.

“What will you do?” Maddie imagined Alex cheating on her and winced at the idea.

“She claims she moved to Hong Kong because of the anonymity, but I see how she revels in the attention she gets. She loves the spotlight, no matter what she says. And she’s grown so accustomed to a certain lifestyle. I’m not entirely sure I fit into her plans.”

“But you’re in love with her.” Maddie moved a little closer to Isabella, as if proximity could make it right.

“That I am.” Isabella sucked her bottom lip into her mouth.

After a long minute of silence in which Maddie had no idea what to say, Isabella took a deep breath and continued.

“I’m quite sure she doesn’t deliberately want to hurt me. I’m smart enough to figure out her reasons and I do know she’s in love with me too. There’s no way she’d be with me otherwise, but the differences between us are so huge.”

Traffic started moving again and the car picked up speed. Maddie checked her watch. They’d make it in time. She needed that glass of champagne waiting for her.

“I’ll fight for her, but I’m not convinced we’re meant to be.”

It was odd to see a woman dressed to the nines look so defeated. Isabella always scrubbed up nicely, but no matter the state of their relationship, she’d outdone herself for Nat’s big do. Her lips were painted a crimson red, accentuating their sensual curve. Her long brown hair was pinned to the top of her head in an elaborate display of hair origami. She wore a maroon tight-fitted dress with low back cleavage not a lot of fifty-year-old women could pull off and the heels of her Jimmy Choo’s were at least six inches long. Nat needed her head examined for not wanting to share her bed every night with a woman so gorgeous and sophisticated.

“I’m sure she’ll see the error of her ways soon. How can she not?” Maddie shot Isabella an encouraging smile. “She’s not blind is she?”

“She is sometimes. She’s also young and successful and all she has to do is bat her eyes at a girl and the poor thing is as good as hers.”

“But you’re a catch.” Maddie pressed her hands on Isabella’s finicky fingers. “And don’t you forget it.”

The cab pulled up in front of the giant bookstore located on the ground floor of another of Hong Kong’s high rises.

Maddie spotted Nat and Alex near a table in the back, surrounded by a throng of girls. She got Isabella’s point.

“Let’s knock’em dead.” She gently elbowed Isabella in the side and started sashaying her way through the crowd.

Even Alex had dressed up for the occasion. She looked sensational in her skin-tight black jeans and knee-length boots. A boat-neck top exposed her collarbones, which made up for the fact that her delicious arms were covered by the sleeves of a beige blazer.

Maddie couldn’t help but notice how Nat’s gaze shifted from her posse of admirers to her approaching girlfriend. No doubt Isabella had dressed to impress, and it was working. It was her way of saying to Nat that she could take an army of her girls.

“You look fantastic.” Maddie kissed Alex on the mouth. Her hair was down and cascaded to her shoulders and Maddie wanted to take her home already. She had plans for those boots.

Even Alex couldn’t keep her eyes off Isabella. She wolf-whistled and winked at Nat, who had a huge smile plastered on her face. If Isabella hadn’t just told her about their issues, Maddie would have been none the wiser. Isabella certainly looked the part of the breathtaking partner of a celebrated author.

“Did you know about their problems?” She whispered in Alex’s ear. “About Nat’s infidelity.”

“It recently came to my attention.”

“At least we are all right now.” She found Alex’s hand and curled her fingers around it.

“We most definitely are.” Alex’s smile was joyful and free of worry.

A waiter approached and offered them a glass of champagne. The four of them faced each other and clinked rims. The party was about to begin.