Free Tainted Love by Cate Lockhart Page A

would nip this in the bud before it got a chance to flower. The way Taylor was talking was as if she’d have broken up with Ben by the end of the week and would be shacked up with him somewhere.
    Although she had felt uncomfortable by the way Ben had acted when he was introduced him to Taylor, she could understand his reaction. Ben had never been the jealous and possessive type, but she had never given him a reason to be either. If she decided to be fair, and switched the scenario she would have reacted exactly the same way. What if she had gone to the hospital and found Ben having a private lunch with someone just seemingly off the modeling runway, blonde nurse with double d’s, and an 18 inch waist. Yeah, she could see where there would be some awkwardness.
    On top of this she was sorry that she had disappointed Ben. She should have gone out to lunch with him anyway, despite Taylor being there. Even if it was to watch Ben eat whilst she sat there with him. They hardly spent any quality time together lately. She was lucky to have his undivided attention on the odd Sunday but even that was rare. He had probably been excited to think he could surprise Abbi, and take her out to lunch. Due to her shock at seeing him that plan had failed miserably. Of all the days why did he have to choose today ? Abbi didn’t have to have fingers to count the number of times Ben had popped in to take her to lunch. It just never happened.
    She pulled out her mobile phone and called Ben’s number. After a few rings it went to voicemail. Hi Ben. I’m on way – Do you want me to cook a curry or do you want to go out somewhere? Call me back as soon as you can. I…’
    The words stuck in her throat. Dammit, say it, tell him you love him! She opened her mouth again and tried to say the words but nothing came out. She quickly disconnected the call and stared down at her phone, shaken to the core. What the hell is wrong with me? Is that how weak our marriage is? After all this time has it just been built on sand? Is one man’s flirtations strong enough to demolish it?
    A few minutes went by and still nothing from Ben. Maybe it was for the best. She didn’t think now was the right time to talk to him. Not whilst she was feeling so raw. She got to her stop, and decided to stop at the Pizza Hut. Ben had still not replied, so she was making an executive decision. She didn’t know whether he’d even be home and she wasn’t in the mood to cook for one. Twenty minutes later, she had several hot boxes that smelt of garlic bread and pizza. Her stomach started to growl as the aromas hit her nostrils.
    She had just reached her building when her phone pinged. Oh god, please tell me Ben doesn’t want to go out. Abbi knew that if he did, she had better act happy about it. She had already inadvertently spoilt his lunch she wasn’t going to disappoint him twice in a row.
    Hey there. I enjoyed lunch! I hope I didn’t over step the mark. Maybe we can do it again. Talking shop over good food always helps.
    Abbi was at the foot of the first flight of her stairs. She set the bag down, and perched on the first step.
    Helps what? Was it possible for one’s body to take action on its own? Because for some reason before she had time to process what to do her finger was tapping a message back to Taylor and it was sent.
    Hey there, back! Thank you for lunch. I enjoyed it too.
    Her resistance to the threat Taylor posed had dissolved without her even realising it. She typed some more.
    Did you find anything else? I hope I’m not bothering you.
    Her phone pinged within seconds.
    No news. I’m maybe a third of the way through everything your mum gave me. I have a couple of questions though. Is tomorrow good if I pop in? And you could never bother me btw.
    Abbi held her breath. She knew the next move she took could be life changing not just for her but Ben, her parents – everyone who believed in Abbi and Ben as the perfect couple.
    That’s nice to know. Tomorrow’s