“What’s wrong?” Ashley asked.
“Nothing.” Heather smiled at her friend.
Heather linked her arms with the other two as her friend went for a high note. Her arms erupted in goose bumps. Connie had tried to break into the music industry, but there was no room for her or her shape. Heather knew they’d made a mistake, but at least her friend didn’t seem sad by it.
The crowd erupted into applause as the music died down.
“Thank you,” Connie said.
Heather saw Wade whistling. She hoped he had the courage to tell Connie how he felt. They left Connie to her audience as they walked off the stage. This was her time. No one else’s. Ashley caught her arm as Amber went to the bar.
“You’ve gone all quiet and sad. What’s the matter?”
She glanced back at the table. “My time with him is coming to an end. I don’t think I’ll last the week.”
“Wait, how do you know?”
“I just know, Ashley. He hasn’t said anything. I know. Things have gone too far. He’ll settle something, and then I’ll have the jewellery and my memories.”
“Why aren’t you crying?” Ashley asked.
“Because I don’t want to break apart. This was what I signed up for when I agreed to sleep with my boss. This is the price I have to pay.” Heather shrugged her shoulders. “I made the mistake of falling in love. I’ll break apart when it’s over. Not before.”
“You’re a strong woman, Heather.”
“No, I’m not. A stronger woman would leave with her heart intact. I’m going to leave with mine broken.” Heather hugged her friend to her. “I’ve missed you.”
“Your relationship will be over, but at least we’ll have you back.” Ashley kissed her cheek. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been so wound up with my own feelings that I never considered how it would be for you.”
“Don’t worry about it. This is life. I’m going to go and enjoy the last bits of my time with him.” Heather smiled at her then went over to Julian.
She had no one to blame for herself for what was going to happen. She wished there was some way for her to stop the inevitable. It was coming. She guessed he’d end it on Monday. For some reason, it felt right to her.
Shrugging her shoulders she put a smile on her face then went to him. Until Monday she was going to enjoy what little time they had left together.
****
“Don, can you hear this?” Julian asked the man on the phone.
“Bloody hell, who is that?”
“I think we can do business.” He arranged a meeting as Connie came to the end of her song. Heather looked amazing, and she hadn’t been wrong about her friend. That voice could sell millions. He knew the perfect way to get her into the industry. The song ended, and the applause was unbelievable. His woman ran to him.
“Didn’t I tell you she was great?”
“Amazing.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, her body rubbing against his. He clenched his teeth together to try to keep control of his cock. Whenever Heather was around him, he couldn’t stop his dick from getting hard for her. He knew Monday was the perfect time to end things.
“I’m going to get go and settle our tab. Are you ready to go?” he asked.
“Yeah. I’m all yours.” She circled her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. He kissed her back, his hands cupping her ass.
“I’d better go and settle.” He pulled away then made his way through the crowd to the bar. Wade was taking orders from other customers. Julian waited, not wanting to be alone with Heather just yet.
“She knows,” Ashley said. He turned to her friend with a frown.
“What?”
Ashley moved to stand next to him. “Heather. She knows you’re going to break it off with her.”
“Does she? Then that makes her a clever woman.”
“And that makes you an ass**le. What’s wrong with her?”
He glared at the woman by his side. Her blonde hair cascaded around her in waves. Her full figure made her look like every teenager’s wet dream. He wasn’t interested. Heather was the woman he wanted.
“Nothing is wrong with her. This is none of your business. Heather knew the score when we started this. Back the f**k off.”
Ashley held her hands up. “You can swear and cuss at me all you want. I know the score. I’m the woman who knows the score, not Heather. She’s a keeper.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” He glared at her. “I don’t like you. Go away.”
“You’re in love with her,” said Ashley. Julian looked away. “Wait, if you’re in love with her why are you throwing her away?”
“It’s for the best. I don’t do love.”
Wade came over, and Julian paid his tab.
“She’ll break apart over this.”
“And you’ll fix her. She has friends. She doesn’t need me.”
He turned to leave. She caught hold of his arm. “When are you breaking it off?”
“Monday.”
“She knows you well. I will hunt you down, Julian. You hurt her, and there will be consequences.”
Julian pulled out of her hold. “I’m a grown man, Ashley. Threats don’t sit well with me.” He moved in close to her. “I’m not the one keeping secrets from Heather.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“You’ve got quite a reputation for being a woman who likes to have two men.” She gasped, her eyes going wide.
“None of them know.”
“I won’t tell them, but don’t try to play the high and mighty card with me, princess. You’ll lose. Just be her friend. I don’t care what you do. I’ve only heard about your reputation. Nothing more.” He turned and stared at Heather. “I’ll be breaking up with her on Monday. Make sure she’s well looked after. I don’t like the thought of her suffering.”
Ashley nodded her head.
He walked to Heather, kissed her deeply, then escorted her out to his car. When he got her home, he made love to her for the rest of the night. Julian knew he was saying goodbye to her. He didn’t want to, and he wished he could progress to the next stage, but he couldn’t.
All too soon it was Monday. He dropped her off at her house before going to the jewellers he used. The owner had agreed to open the shop for him to pick an item of his choice. Nathan had agreed to find her a position in his company. A well paid one. Julian had made the fatal mistake of falling for an employee. He didn’t want Heather to suffer from him mistake.