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“Not a problem, sweetie. You get used to it,” she says, as she asks the host for a table and follows his lead. The décor is minimal, white walls with dark wood furnishings, with mirrors and black artwork adorning the walls. It’s striking and looks like it is never empty.
The man leads us to the back, and out onto the patio. The sun is shining down and a few of the tables have umbrellas shading them. He asks where we’d like to sit and Natalya points to a table overlooking the water, directly in the sun. I nod and slip my sunglasses back on.
“Thank you, could we get a bottle of champagne please and two glasses?” she asks, as she slips into her seat, flashing the man her best model smile.
“Um, just sparkling water for me please,” I counter, offering her an apologetic smile. I take the seat opposite, my back to the water.
“Of course, champagne and sparkling water please,” she says, and he nods and leaves us to get our drinks. “I didn’t realize you don’t drink. That’s sweet. Just like Brody.”
“I do drink occasionally, but I just think it’s a little disrespectful to him so I don’t when we’re together,” I admit, not sure why I’m feeling the need to justify myself.
“I understand. I love the food here. Wait until you try it, it’s one of the best restaurants in the world if you ask me.” She glances over the menu, and I pick up my own looking at the vast array of options.
“I owe you an apology, Rosie,” she says out of the blue, taking me by surprise. “I hope you didn’t take offense to what I said at the party. I didn’t mean anything by it, I was just surprised. Seeing Brody in a relationship. I mean the guy is renowned for being F1’s manwhore. He’s not the kind to be with one woman, or at least he wasn’t when we were seeing each other.”
My eyes widen in shock and I’m grateful for my glasses hiding my expressive eyes from view. I’m momentarily rendered speechless. Natalya and Brody? I guess that explains his attitude toward her. The telltale signs of anxiety prickle at my skin again and I reach for my wrist under the table, counting the steady beat of my pulse to calm myself.
“Oh I’m sorry. He didn’t tell you, did he?” She looks over at me sympathetically and I feel my cheeks flushing in embarrassment.
He told me there was nothing between them, and I believed him. My chest tightens and I try to brush it off like it’s no big deal, but she’s not stupid.
“It’s fine, I know he has a past.” Attempting to change the subject, I ask, “There’s so much to choose from. What would you recommend?”
“I’d recommend the—” My phone ringing interrupts her and I apologize before pulling it from my purse.
Brody’s smiling face flashes up on the screen.
“I’ll be two minutes, I just need to take this,” I offer apologetically and she smiles and waves it off. “Could you just order me whatever you’re having?”
She nods and I move out of earshot before answering the phone.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Angel. I just got back to the room, are you still at the spa?” he asks.
“No, you said you’d be a while, so I headed out for some lunch.”
“On your own? Sweetheart, I’m not sure that’s such a good id—”
“I’m not on my own. I’m having lunch with Natalya,” I snap, irritated at how he thinks I can’t look after myself, I’m a grown woman.
“Natalya?” He sounds surprised and pauses briefly. Part of me wonders if he is worried his little secret will come out. Too late. “Be careful, Rosie. Natalya doesn’t make friends. Women like her don’t make friends. Especially not with sweet girls like you.”
Gritting my teeth, I bite back, “Sweet girls like me can look after themselves, Brody. I’ll see you later.”
Hanging up on him, I close my eyes and take a breath. It’s a gorgeous day, I’m not going to let him ruin it with his irksome comments. Switching my phone onto silent, I give myself an internal pep talk, and head back to the table. Natalya has a bottle of sparkling water waiting for me, and is pouring herself a glass of champagne.
Lifting her glass with an award-winning smile, she says, “Let’s toast. To new friendships.”
Lifting my bottle, I clink it with her glass, offering her a forced smile.
Why wouldn’t he tell me about their past? After I spilled my heart out about my past with Tyler, he couldn’t have the decency to tell me about an ex he had that he knew I’d be around.
Unless…is that why he couldn’t tell me he loved me back? Is he in love with his teammate’s girlfriend? Am I the runner-up trophy?
My mind is racing, only pausing when Natalya breaks my reverie, pouring me a glass of sparkling water and pushing it toward me.
“Thanks,” I say, taking a healthy gulp. “So what are we having?”
