Page 52 of Tainted Love

‘You’re going to pay for that.’

13

‘We’ll see you on the aeroplane beach around five or six?’ I ask, dropping a kiss to Gregory through the window of the rental Porsche.

‘By the aeroplane beach, you realise you mean Maho Beach?’

I scowl. ‘Did you understand what I meant? Then don’t be an arsehole.’

He chuckles as Williams climbs into the passenger seat.

‘Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?’

‘It’s just a catch up with a business acquaintance, not deal specific. Go. Enjoy your day with Amanda. I’ll see you later. Be careful.’

‘What could possibly go wrong?’ I ask, pulling down my shades to wink over the frame.

‘Have fun in your business meeting boys, we’ll just be, you know, shopping, sunbathing.’ Amanda waves a hand in a way I know will grate on Gregory’s nerves.

‘You be careful with my little man in the sun,’ Williams calls.

‘Sheand I will be just fine. Aunty Scar will look after us.’ She wraps an arm around my shoulder.

Legal jargon, I know. Baby stuff? I’m clueless.

‘Just the three of us, then,’ I tell her, hugging her back.

Gregory and Williams dropped us on the French side of the island. Shopping is number one on the agenda, followed by a binge on French pastries, then Aeroplane or Maho or whatever beach for sunbathing and plane spotting.

We wander the quiet, clean, Parisian-feel streets, dipping in and out of boutiques, more for air con than shopping and much sooner than her usual stamina would give in, she puffs, ‘Can we eat and get a cool drink?’

We find a cute bakery and feast on a basket of pastries: almond, cinnamon and raisin, all butter, chocolate.

‘It’s nice to have some time just us,’ I say, rubbing flakes from my fingers.

‘Sure is. I can’t believe you’re engaged!’

‘Pretty crazy, isn’t it? You pregnant, me engaged.’

‘When did we grow up?’

‘You and Williams seem to be doing well.’

She nods but purses her lips. ‘We’re good in that we agree we want to be together. And he already loves bubba. My pops has started to hate him less about the whole baby, unwed, will he or won’t he stay thing.’

‘But.’

‘But he won’t touch me, Scarlett. He says he doesn’t want to hurt the baby but I’m like a raging bag of pissed-off hormones twenty-four seven and all I want him to do is give me a bloody good seeing to. Lord knows he can.’ She pats her tummy and I can’t help but giggle.

‘Have you told him?’

‘Yes. No. I’ve tried. I don’t… We’re not… What if it’s not about the baby? What if it’s me and he doesn’t find me attractive? I’m bloating. I’m irritable. Whoever said this pregnancy malarkey makes you feel wonderful was either a man or talking complete bollocks.’

I practically snort my orange juice. My amusement is short-lived when I realise that my best friend in the whole world, confident, strong, gorgeous Amanda, is doubting herself. ‘Amanda, you’ve got to be kidding. Williams has had eyes for you since that first night in the bar. He’s absolutely into you. Have you thought that maybe this is just a big change for you both and he’s scared?’

‘But that doesn’t mean he can’t have sex.’

I laugh again and Amanda chuckles with me, her hands resting on her mini-bump. ‘Maybe you could try to be non-pregnant Amanda, too?’