Page 13 of Nothing Heals Me Like You Do
“Can we keep this between us for now?” Justine said. “I’m not sure I’ll get the chance to tell Rochelle before this afternoon.”
“So you’re definitely telling Rochelle?”
“I tell Rochelle everything.” Justine employed her businesslike, straightforward tone again—as if it was just a simple fact of life that she would tell her ex about sleeping with the actor who was going to play her in a movie.
“Everything?” Sienna gazed up from her coffee.
“Not all the details, obviously, but I will tell her we slept together. Do you mind?”
“I hadn’t really thought about it, to be honest.”
“That’s okay.” Justine shoveled some scrambled eggs onto her fork. Sienna didn’t know if she was putting on a show for her—although she didn’t strike her as the type—or if Justine took breakfast a lot more seriously than any other meal. There were eggs, toast, yoghurt, fruit, and lots of not-so-stellar-but-strong coffee.
“Do we, um, need to talk about what… it meant?” Sienna asked, not that she had a clue. But she was curious what Justine thought about their impromptu night together.
“We can if you want to.”
Sienna huffed out a silly giggle. “Was it a one-time thing? Do you want to do it again? Do you want to go on a proper date?” She picked up her fork to attend to her rumbling stomach.
“I don’t know. Why don’t we just see where the day takes us? We’re meeting again this afternoon with Rochelle and Alexis, anyway.” Justine took a sip of coffee. “But, um, as far as dating is concerned, I think we have to be realistic about that. Last night was fun, but I hope you understand that we are not a good match in any respect.”
“Okay. Gotcha.” Sienna sounded more defensive than she wanted to. But Justine was right. Going on a proper date, like she had just suggested, was a bit out there.
“Let’s just play it by ear.” Justine pushed her chair back and walked over to her. “I absolutely mean no disrespect.” She hunched over and found Sienna’s ear. “I should only be so lucky to date someone like you.”
Justine had skipped lunch, as she did most days, due to lack of time. Sienna and Alexis would arrive at Rochelle’s in thirty minutes and she had decided to tell Rochelle about last night before they all met up again. Rochelle had some sort of sixth sense when it came to these things—when it came to Justine and who she slept with—and she didn’t want to be scrutinized by Alexis the moment Rochelle’s penny dropped.
“I’m early,” she shouted after she knocked and walked in the back door.
“Hi, Justine.” Rita, Rochelle’s wife, was nursing a cup of tea in the kitchen “That’s very unlike you.”
Justine kissed her friend hello and smiled, even though she’d hoped to catch Rochelle alone. Although to tell Rochelle was to tell Rita—and vice versa.
“Rochelle’s still putting on her face.” Rita winked at Justine. “You’d think she’s trying to impress these youngsters.” She chuckled. “You might even suspect she has a thing for younger women.” Rita was thirteen years younger than her wife and both she and Justine loved teasing Rochelle about that—even though, right now, that would make Justine a big hypocrite.
“Have you eaten?” Rita asked.
“I didn’t have time.” Justine sank into a chair. The short night was catching up with her.
“How about a sandwich? You know Mama Rita makes the best sandwiches,” she said in the voice she now used with her grandkids.
“I could murder a sandwich.” As if on cue, Justine’s stomach rumbled.
“On it.” Rita rose from her chair.
“Are you off work today?” Justine asked.
Rita nodded. “The students are on a field trip and, for once, my presence was not required.” She took some stuff out of the fridge. “Which is excellent timing because it gives me a chance to meet Alexis Dalton and, even more interestingly, Sienna Bright, who will be playing my lovely wife.” She went to work on fixing Justine a sandwich, an action Justine had long ago gotten used to—Rochelle and Rita loved to feed her. “Rochelle really liked her. What was your impression?”
“Um.” Justine’s cheeks flushed pink. Luckily, Rochelle waltzed into the room.
“You’re early.” Rochelle opened her arms wide and Justine got up to hug her friend.
“I think she wanted one of my sandwiches.” Rita handed Justine a plate. “There you go. Tuna with tomato and a touch of pickled onion, just how you like it.”
“Thank you so much. You spoil me.” Justine sat again and tucked in.
“Someone has to,” Rita said.
