After placing her bag and coat down next to her desk she checked her phone to see what her text had been. “Are you spending time with him again? Connie.”
Heather smiled. Connie refused to go to text talk. She spelt everything out. “Yes, I’m sorry. I love you.”
The phone didn’t go off again. She put it back in her bag feeling awful. If it was the other way around she’d be happy for her friends. Shrugging her shoulders she went to the coffee machine to make Julian his morning cup. Two women were standing chatting as she entered. Heather couldn’t recall their names. She smiled at them then ignored them.
“I’m telling you the boss is seeing someone. Whoever she is, is good for him.”
Heather felt better. Julian had been in a better mood since their affair.
“Hey, Heather. Do you know the woman screwing the boss?” one of the women asked.
“Don’t have a clue. I’m thankful she’s keeping him on a tight leash. He could be a pain in the butt.” She poured the coffee into the cup raising it to them. “I better get this to the boss.”
She left them pondering. Heather entered his office, and Julian put the phone down. He had a smile on his face.
“Here is your coffee, and people are talking,” she said.
“Who are talking?”
“The women want to know who is keeping that smile on your face. They’re impressed. Maybe the woman should ask for a raise?” She put his coffee down on his desk.
“You can get a raise every time.”
“I’m happy with everything, Julian. I don’t need or want anything else.”
He stared at her a few seconds before nodding his head. “Good. What do you have planned this weekend?” he asked.
She thought about her friends but pushed them to the back of her mind. “Nothing, why?”
“Because I’ve booked us a weekend stay at one of the island resorts. Think palm trees, peace and quiet, with just you and me. It will be fun,” he said.
“What?”
“I want you to go away with me. I’ve booked a little resort for us to stay. We’ll have sea, sand, and lots of sex to keep us company.”
“But it’s the winter,” Heather said, glancing out of his office window. “Well, it’s the fall, but why would you want to leave?”
He caught her hand. She stared out at the door to make sure no one saw them. “Aren’t you fed up with this crap? Every time I touch you, you check to see who’s watching. I want you all to myself for several days away from your friends and everything.”
She knew what he meant. The stress of keeping from getting caught was exhausting. She wanted to go with him.
“Yes, I’ll go with you.”
“We’ll leave Friday afternoon and come back Sunday. Be packed and ready.”
“That’s tomorrow.”
“I know. Time flies when you’re having fun.” He kissed her knuckles then went back to work.
Heather left him to do her own work. She phoned her friends around lunch time. They didn’t encourage or say anything else. She sensed their withdrawal.
She licked her lips and finished her work. The day was filled with phone calls and messages along with so much more. She didn’t have the time to think about everything that was happening. When it was time to leave for the day she said goodbye to Julian. It was the first time since their affair began that she was going home for the night.
“I’ll pick your suitcases up tomorrow morning and store them in my car,” he said.
“Okay. See you tomorrow.”
“We’ll have fun, Heather. I promise.”
She nodded her head. What else could she say?
Closing his door she made her way out of the building and walked the distance to her house. The lights were on letting her know Elijah was already home. She let herself in.
Heather walked into her sitting room to see Elijah and her three friends sharing a pizza and talking. Their conversation ceased the moment she walked in.
“Are you staying or going again?” Elijah asked.
It had been a long time since she had seen her friends. Staring at them now made tears spring to her eyes.
“I’m staying for tonight. I’ve got a suitcase to pack. He’s taking me away this weekend.”
The disappointment was clear on all of their faces.
“Please, don’t judge.”
“Look at yourself, Heather. You’re not around anymore. He’s changing you, and it’s changing us,” Ashley said.
“You said yourself, he doesn’t treat a woman great,” Amber said.
“I know this, okay.” Heather gazed at Connie. “Do you want to say your piece as well? You might as well.”