Forever yours

Chapter 1 Part 2

Marie pulled into the driveway and slammed the car door in anger.

'Don't you dare try and talk yourself out if this one.' she shouted as she walked into the house.

'I thought you might hit it off with him.' Robert ducked out of the way, as she threw her bag at him.

'The man is an opinionated, egotistical, chauvinist who loves himself to death. How the hell could you think I would find him attractive?'

'That is it Robert. Stay out of my dating life.'

He was grinning as he sidestepped the pillow she threw at him. 'You have to admit he was good looking.'

'He was so good looking that he could not stop looking at himself in the damned mirror.'

Robert grinned at her, which caused her to laugh. He was fond of setting her up on blind dates and he never seemed to get it right. The one he had arranged for lunch had turned out to be a disaster as usual.

'Let's go for a run and then hit the boxing bag. I've got a photo of him that we can put on the bag while you punch it.'

Mattie had been watching them for the last few days and as usual, he was in trouble. She heard the woman scolding him as she got out of her car and he was so good-natured that in no time they were laughing and kidding around again. The first thing that had struck her when she saw them together was what a stunning couple they made. Marie had long, glossy auburn hair with the most incredible blue eyes. She was a beautiful woman and very friendly. In contrast Robert had dark hair and eyes that always seemed to twinkle with mischief. Her daughters would swoon over that body. He waved at her when he saw her and always shouted a greeting. They ran or cycled almost every night either together or alone and if she was not mistaken, she often heard the sound of boxing coming from their place. They had a very playful relationship, arguing often about anything and everything which she always heard because they loved leaving their front door open. Even though the houses in the complex were big they were close enough to hear anyone arguing loudly and those two were always arguing good naturedly. He was late for an event one day and was met by quite a tongue lashing as they climbed into the car to leave.

'Mother, will you stop spying on my neighbours.'

Jeff was getting annoyed. Ever since she had arrived she had been intrigued by Marie and Robert. They had come over to introduce themselves when he had moved in two months ago and Marie had been on his mind ever since. She was a striking beauty with a friendly smile, always ready with a wave or greeting when he saw her.

'Don't you think it is strange that they are together and yet he comes home all hours of the night? Her lazy American drawl was more pronounced than her son's.

'If you don't stop spying on them, I am going to put you on the next flight out of here.'

He looked out the window to see Marie and Robert stretching before their daily run. Robert was jumping around like a boxer while she ignored him. Her running shorts and top showed off her incredibly long tanned legs and shoulders. She had perfect legs; then again almost everything about her was perfect. His mother had arrived for a visit a week ago and she had taken it upon herself to spy on them.

'I am telling you there is something odd about that relationship. I have never seen them kiss each other and there is no passion between them. Do you think they are just doing it for convenience?'

'Get away from the damned window. '

Jeff sighed. Thank heavens she was leaving soon. He needed to focus on work. He suspected his sisters were tired of her which is why they had suggested she visit him.