No Ordinary Love(9)

“Yes, ma’am.” Nat shot Isabella a quick wink and snagged her iPhone off the coffee table.

“Hey, Pizza,” Nat said into the receiver after two seconds. “Where the hell are you?”

Elation washed over Maddie. At least Alex was all right.

“Maddie’s here looking for you. Maybe give her a buzz?” Nat continued as she walked into the kitchen, preventing Maddie from hearing what else she was saying. It took five more minutes before Nat emerged from the kitchen.

“She’s fine.” Nat dropped her phone on one of the many book shelves. “She says not to worry about her. She’ll be home by midnight.”

“Where is she?” It was obvious Nat wasn’t giving Maddie the full story.

Nat sighed. “I’m sorry, Maddie.” She looked at Isabella with a desperate look on her face. “I’m sure she’ll explain in the morning. She urged me to ask you not to wait up for her.”

“Is she coming over to mine?” Maddie’s heart started thundering in her chest. Something was up and she didn’t have a clue as to what it could be.

“I don’t think so.” Nat inched closer and crouched in front of Maddie. “Look, all I can say is she’s facing some demons from her past. She may look perfect on the outside. She may even behave damn near perfect, but we all have our issues. Don’t press her on it. Give her some space.”

“Is it Rita?” Maddie saw it with great clarity now.

“Yes.” Nat nodded briefly. “But no worries—”

“Is she with Rita now?” Anguish tightened Maddie’s chest.

“No. I assure you she’s not. She just needs some time.” Nat stretched herself up. “You know Alex. She’d rather walk it off than burden anyone with her problems.”

“It will be all right,” Isabella chimed in. “Come on, I’ll pour you a glass of wine.”

“I’d better go home. I have an early start tomorrow.”

Maddie wasn’t worried about Alex cheating on her. Nonetheless, jealousy gnawed on her insides because how could she possibly compete with the greatest love of Alex’s life? A love so great Alex couldn’t bring herself to talk about it.

“If you’re sure.” Isabella squeezed Maddie’s hand. “You’re more than welcome to stay.”

“If you see her,” Maddie faced Nat, “tell her to take all the time she needs.” Her stomach knotted together at the thought of Alex being too preoccupied with another woman to return her call. Maddie held her head up high as she exited Nat’s flat, but she feared the worst.



ALEX



“Hey.” Nat’s voice startled Alex as she flicked on the light in the living room at well past one in the morning.

“What are you doing up?” She was grateful to see a friendly face. “Is there no love making to be done tonight?”

“I figured you’d need to talk about it.” Nat ruffled the blanket she was covered in to the side to make room for Alex. “And do you know how old Isabella is? She needs her beauty sleep.”

It was still weird to hear Nat talk about someone with such affection in her voice. She’d obviously dozed off while waiting for her. Her hair rioted in all directions and her big blue eyes struggled with the sudden light. Alex crashed down next to Nat and let her head sink to her flatmate’s shoulder.

“I feel as if I’ve opened Pandora’s box.” Alex took a deep breath before continuing. “The effect she still has on me took me by surprise. What Rita and I had was so all-consuming. I loved her so much.” Tears started welling up behind her eyes again. “Of course, she ruined it by getting off with her bloody tutor, but at the end of the day, she’s still Rita, you know. My Rita. Seeing her shook me so hard.” Alex brushed a teardrop from her cheek. “And she looked gorgeous as ever.”

“Maddie knows your disappearing act had something to do with Rita.” Nat cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t lie when she asked.”

Alex shook her head. “I walked along Bowen Road, all the way to Wan Chai and back thinking about what to do with Maddie. I don’t want to hurt her, but I couldn’t see her. She called me several times and I couldn’t even face speaking to her on the phone. I have no idea what to say to her.”

“Tell her the truth. She’ll understand.”

“I don’t even know what the truth is. All I know is that when I saw Rita, everyone else paled in comparison. Maddie included.” Alex buried her face in her hands. “God, I feel awful just saying that.”