Sexy Hart (Sexy Series) (2 page)

"Ten, so we have an hour or so. Would either of you like a drink while I'm making one?" I ask to try and settle the mood. Stacy glares at me before turning and waltzing off to the spare bedroom without saying a word. Polite as always.

"Stace!" Oliver calls, "Stacy! Clare offered to make you a drink, aren't you going to..." and before he can finish, the door slams making us both wince. He turns to look at me and smiles again, apologetically. "Clare, I'm sorry, that was so rude," he says reaching across the breakfast bar to rest his hand on mine. "I'll have another word with her."

The feel of his skin on mine makes my stomach somersault again, I don't know what's come over me lately, it must be because of what happened at the hospital. Then I remember what Stacy said - he spent all night having sex with her last night.

I shake his hand off and turn to pour the kettle. "It's fine, Oliver, she doesn't like me, I'll get used to it."

"You shouldn't have to, there's no reason for it... well..."

"Well? Is there a reason? Have I done something?" I ask, genuinely worried that I might have upset her.

"No, no, no, nothing like that..." he responds, walking around the bar and into the kitchen. My skin tingles as he stands close and gently places a hand on my shoulder, speaking softly, "She just, she thinks there's something..."

"Between us?" I interrupt; I can't stand his deep, sexy voice and warm breath in my ear for one more second. If I don't move out of the way to get the milk from the fridge immediately, I won't be able to resist resting my cheek on the back of his hand. "Well, she's wrong isn't she," I continue in a whisper, "okay, not completely wrong, we did do something yesterday, but that was a silly mistake, I don't know why or how that even happened..." I pause and look at him tentatively, "Oliver... um, why did that happen?"

He looks at the ground and then up at me sheepishly. He shrugs as he attempts to explain, "I... er... well, I just... you were emotional, I wanted to make you feel better..."

"What?" I whisper angrily. My hands curl into tight fists and I tense my jaw as I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I am furious that he thinks sex with him is the only way to cheer me up. Who does he think he is? A nice hug would suffice, thank you very much! He should have told me that he just couldn't resist my incredible natural beauty, or that he'd been thinking about it ever since the last time, or that I'm just too good to pass up when locked in a hospital toilet together for god's sake,
not
that he wanted to make me feel better!

I take a moment to calm down by continuing to make the
tea, which is probably overly strong and revolting by now. I need to swallow this anger and move on.
Move on
. "Never mind, just one of those things, let's forget it as we always do, I shouldn't have brought it up."

"Clare, please..." he says quietly, reaching for me and I step away.

"No, Oliver, honestly, it's fine, let's forget it."

"Let me just say, while I have the chance, we weren't... you know... all night. We didn't do
that
at all, I don't know why she said that. I wouldn't have gone to her for that straight after I'd... "

"Straight after me, okay, okay, I get it. She was just trying to make me jealous because she thinks I have a 'thing' for you. Never mind, it's fine."

Inside, I am laughing hysterically at hearing this; silly, silly girl has absolutely no idea just how close Oliver and I have been as friends, he would always tell me if someone was lying to my face, especially if it was supposed to upset me. "You should probably go and see to Stacy, she's not in the best of moods today, she'll be mad if she thinks you're out here being nice to me when she's upset about something in there."

He sighs and half smiles, shaking his head, "Who knows what she's upset about now."

"Probably something I've said or done. I don't mean to antagonise her, you know that don't you? She just takes offence to everything I say... I always seem to say the wrong thing..."

"Of course I know that, it has got nothing to do with what you say, it's all about her insecurities and I'm sorry that you have to bear the brunt of that. I'll talk to her again, she's... well, she really isn't as bad as you think she is, she just seems to act so badly around all of you. I wish you could see the side to her that I see when we're alone. I wish she'd show you that side... along with some damned respect."

"Maybe she'll get used to us in time," I say with a small smile, "go on, you better go to her, we don't have long until we need to be downstairs to meet Bea and Daniel."

"Okay. I'm sorry, again."

"Oliver, honestly, it's fine, just go and get yourselves ready. I'll see you out here at about five to?"

"Cool." he says, holding up a clenched hand inviting me to bump fists, and I gladly accept, melting at his joviality. Maybe when he's done with Sordid Stacy, I'll consider bumping uglies with him again.

~~~~~~~

It's three minutes to ten and I'm hovering in the lounge in my new, soft, pastel pink sundress and sandals, waiting for Oliver and Stupid Stacy. Okay, okay, that's mean, just 'Stacy' from now on.

I stroll back and forth, running my fingers along the fabulous granite of the spotless breakfast bar as I wait, excitedly, desperate to see the tiny nose on that gorgeous, wrinkly little baby again.
Oh hurry up, you two, I want to see Emily!

The door opens and I spin around as Oliver pokes his head out. "Sorry, darling, meet you downstairs, okay?"
Oh for god’s sake, they're going to make us late!

"Oh... okay, I'll see you there - but try to be quick because they'll be waiting in the car for us..."

"Yeah - be as quick as poss..." he says with a wink before slamming the door again, almost taking off his nose. I wonder what that's all about?

I make my way to the front door and out of the apartment, smiling as I walk down the modern 'W' hallway towards the lifts. Not long now and I'll be holding that gorgeous bundle of scrumptiousness in my arms. I'm not sure how long I'm going to cope without having one of my own, I am so broody, it's all I can think about. I'm sure it seems so pressing right now because my best friend has just had one and my other best friend is on her way to having one, but I just can't see it happening for me and I have wanted it so badly, for a long time.

It frustrates me that I have to go through all of the bloody rigmarole first, meet a guy who is actually compatible with me - easier said than done, twenty-eight years and it hasn't happened yet. Then I have to date them, start having sex with them, after a while - meet the folks, after a much longer while - leave a toothbrush at his place, a good year or so later - move in together, another year or so later - get engaged, another year or so - get married and THEN start thinking about babies. Good god, what if it takes me yet another twenty-five to thirty years to find Mr. Compatible? The only eggs I'll have to talk about will be poached and sitting on lightly buttered toast.

A few minutes later, I'm opening the door to Bea and Daniel's car and climbing in.

"Hi, darling... where's Olly and Stacy?" Bea asks immediately.

"Ugh, making us late. He said they'd be down in a minute - no idea what was going on. Maybe Stacy is having wardrobe issues..."

"You mean personality issues? Hey, Clare," Daniel says, making me giggle loudly. I've never heard him bitch about anyone before - until Stacy came on the scene. I'm glad it's not just me, but even more so - that it's not just a girl thing and the boys can see it too. Boys rarely see the cow in a girl - no matter how blatantly she's parading it, but Stacy must have an extra special type of cow in her that even boys can detect.

"Hi Daniel, you might be right there," I say feeling very naughty for having agreed with such a cheeky comment. "Hopefully they'll be down any minute now, I'll be cross if we're late, I'm really looking forward to seeing Tils and Luke. Oh, and beautiful Emily..." I add with a little swoon. I love her so much already and it has only been a day!

"Oh I know, I can't wait!" Bea says, bouncing in her seat. "Oh come on Olly and Stacy, what are you doing up there? Ew, I don't want to know, actually..."

I giggle, "Actually, I'm not sure that is what's going on - he definitely had clothes on when he poked his head out of the door a few minutes ago. Stacy wasn't a very happy bunny this morning, maybe they're having a barny..."

"Another one?" she asks, exasperated, "They haven't stopped having barnies since they met! Honestly, what
is
he doing with her?"

"Well, Bea, don't forget that things are different behind closed doors, there must be
something
appealing about her personality. Oliver isn't stupid and he certainly isn't a doormat. She just doesn't like us very much."

"I know, but he's my brother, I can't help but feel that way. And if she can be so easily rude to his friends and family, she just doesn't have the respect for him that he deserves."

I nod and look down at my bag on my lap, thinking about what she said. She's so right, maybe Oliver will see that some day, he deserves someone who loves every tiny thing about him, from his great family to his hairy boy-feet. Actually, his feet aren't bad - quite nice in fact, masculine and not at all ugly like most men's feet, even the hair is good.
Stop it.

"Here's Oliver..." Daniel says as I hear the door next to me open and I look up to see Oliver slide in.

"Sorry about that, I got a bit caught up..." he says, "morning everyone."

Bea and Daniel greet him in response and Bea asks how long Stacy is going to be.

"Stace isn't coming, she's uh... a bit tired."

A strong feeling of relief washes over me; another day without her is a good thing in my book, I can relax and have fun with my friends without her making everything sour. "Oh really? That's a shame," I say trying my hardest to sound genuine. Oliver just looks at me with a cute (gorgeous and sexy) smile and a raised eyebrow. He knows.

"Why not?" Bea asks, "Is she going to do
anything
with us? I really don't see why she bothered coming on this holiday apart from to cost you money and make your life difficult, Oliver."

"Baby, let it go." Daniel says as he reaches over and rests his hand on top of hers, supportively before signalling and pulling into the road. He must be thinking the same as
me; Oliver has had a rough morning already.

I look up at him and he rolls his eyes, smiling. I feel bad for him; he's getting it in the ear from Stroppy Stacy... um, I mean Stacy, and everyone else because of her. I really want to know what makes him stay; he has such a great life, he doesn't need anyone, so why her?

Most people would wonder if it's the sex but I know Oliver and there's just no way he'd stay with someone purely because she's good in the sack. He - like me, enjoys substance - personality, a bit of a brain, sense of humour, goals, a cheery disposition. Maybe he should write these things down on paper and send it up the chimney in the hope that Miss Practically Perfect in Every Way will float down on a cloud with a carpet bag and talking umbrella. If he wants that of course, he might want to stay with the witch... uh, I mean Stacy -forever.
God, I hope not
.

We're quiet for a short while before Oliver breaks the silence. "So what's the plan? We're going for breakfast and then just chilling at their house all day?"

"Yeah," Bea answers, "we'll go to that place at The Grove for breakfast and then go on to Tilly and Luke's house. I'll make something for lunch so Til doesn't have to do anything."

"Okay cool," he responds, "maybe we can all go for dinner on the way back?"

Bea turns around in her seat and looks at Oliver. "That sounds great, but what about Stacy? Don't you need to get back to her?"

"Look, I've done enough of that, if she doesn't want to join us then she has to accept that the day will go ahead without her. I don't want to stop us doing what we would normally do, by having to go back early all the time. I have told her she should come with us and she wouldn't, that's up to her."

Bea smiles sympathetically and pauses for a moment before continuing very softly. "Olly, please don't think I'm being a cow, but I hate that you're having to placate her all the time. Why do you put up with it? You never have with anyone else..."

I look at Oliver again and my stomach lurches, he looks awkward and uncomfortable, I feel so sorry for him. I don't want Bea to question him anymore.

"Bea... can we not do this now? I appreciate your concern and everything, I really do, but just leave it for now, yeah?"

She looks at him with a concerned frown and nods reluctantly. "Okay, but just know, if this continues, I won't be able to stop myself from saying something."

Oliver rolls his eyes again and smiles at his sister, "Okay, BB."

She turns to face
front again and I offer a small smile to Oliver and gently run my hand up and down his forearm, unable to resist this uncontrollable urge to comfort him. He returns my smile and nods in appreciation. I could go a step further and lean over and squeeze him tightly in my arms, but I don't think it would be appropriate - he would probably wonder what the hell has gotten into me.