The One Night Stand

Chapter 16

  The best friends embraced, both women stating how much they missed each other at the same time. Cat even told Nic she missed their 'tag teaming' adventures. Both women were aware the dynamic of their relationship had been changed dramatically since Trent's return, Cat apologised profusely. Nic played it down, but the truth was, she missed her best friend and was willing to do anything to salvage the friendship.

  "I brought your favourite brie and a bottle of your bubbly." Nic said as she fussed about making the cheese platter. Cat groaned internally at the fact that she couldn't have either of her favourite delicacies because of her pregnancy. But her best friend didn't know the news yet. Cat was both thrilled and anxious to tell Nicola the news. Anxious because Nic couldn't have children of her own, a botched abortion in her teens had rendered her infertile.

  "How's things with 'the husband'?" Nic asked grimacing a her own words.

  "Things are great, Trent's a wonderful man Nic, I wish you could forgive him and be friends again." Cat said taking Nic's hand in hers.

  "You may be fooled by that man Cat, but I'm not. I'll never forgive him for what he did." Cat looked down at Nicola's slender, manicured hand in hers, she was sad that her friend was so unforgiving when it came to Trent Sutton. "I'm sorry Cat, I just can't." Nic reiterated, squeezing Cat's hand, she handed her friend the glass of bubbly. Cat clinked glasses with Nic and watched her take a  sip, deciding tonight might not be the right time to tell her friend her news.

   "What's new? Tell me everything." Cat said as she crossed her legs and sat back in the sofa. Nic spoke about her work life animatedly. In all the years of their friendship, Nic often whined about her work pressures but Cat knew Nic's career was her one true love.

  "Tom and I are leaving for Germany on Monday." Nic announced, watching her friend's face for a reaction. "He's recording his album there. Hopefully it'll be finished within six weeks or so. Takes fucking forever, but I'll fly home often so you won't miss me too much."

  "I always miss you Nic." Cat smiled affectionately at her friend. "Tell me about your relationship with Steve Collins." A range of emotions crossed Nic's features, before she answered.

  "Things are good, Steven is thoughtful and sweet and he is a wonderful lover..." she paused looking at her long finger nails thoughtfully. "I think I love him Cat." Cat raised an eyebrow. It had been decades since she'd heard Nicola say she loved anyone and mean it.

  "That's wonderful sweet heart." Cat said, despite her guilt about knowing Steven's true feelings.

  "It's not that wonderful, he doesn't love me back." Nic said with a laugh, hiding her pain. She looked Cat directly in the eyes, her pale blue eyes searching Cat's azure ones.

  "I've known Steve for a very long time Nic and he's never been one to wear his heart on his sleeve, give him time." Cat lied, secretly willing Steven to fall in love with Nic. Cat didn't like to see her friend like this, vulnerable, but Cat knew she would survive the inevitable break up. Nicola Starr was an irrepressible force of nature.

   "Let's have a joint." Nic stood taking Cat's hand.

  "Nic...I can't..." Cat said.

  "Why the fuck not?" Nic asked, her hands on her slender hips.

  "I'm pregnant." Cat blurted, Nic's mouth fell open and she sat beside her pregnant friend on the sofa with a thud.

  "What...How?" Nicola asked, her eyes full of confusion. Cat was hoping for a more delicate way to make the announcement, but now that it was out she was relieved.