Don't Call Me Baby

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Childhood Memories

Julian flagged down a black cab at Hammersmith Broadway and we jumped in. His apartment was in Lowndes Square, Knightsbridge. Talk about serious money I thought. My phone rang shortly after we sat down. It was Steve.

"Hi," I greeted him.

"Lola, what a shock to see you today!" he began.

"Well, I'm not sure I totally believe that. Surely you recognised Julian when you saw him last week?" I mouthed Steve's name to Julian who had looked over at me when he heard me mention his name.

"Well, yes, but I didn't quite put two and two together," he was trying to wriggle out of admitting he knew that Julian was my boss.

"Steve, you don't lie very well you know."

"I just didn't want to lose the chance at this job, Lola. It means a real lot to me. They are paying me well. That's why I was able to ask you to marry me," oh, shit. I could hear the hurt in his voice. I lowered mine, conscious that Julian could hear everything I could say.

"Steve, it's over. It's all for the best. You know it would never have worked."

"Are you alone?" he had noticed I had lowered my voice.

"No."

"Who's there?"

"Steve, it's none of your business who I am with."

"You're with him aren't you? Mr. Blonde Big Boss. What does he have that I haven't got Lola? Is he rich?" Umm, he clearly doesn't look in the mirror in the mornings.

"Jeez, Steve just get over it will you please? Besides there are a lot of nice women out there, you deserve better. Sharon really likes you!" I was hoping to divert him. "Look I really gotta go ok?" I hung up on him and slumped back against the seat closing my eyes.

"He loves you," commented Julian.

"No shit," I responded not in the mood to discuss my love life again with Julian, given that I had made the mistake of disclosing too much earlier in his office.

"You should go easy on him. Rejection is hard for men to take."

"Oh like it's easier for women?" I looked at him incredulously. "I was real easy on him anyway. You should see me when I'm real pissed. Besides which, it's none of your business." Did I see a smirk on his lips? He had turned his head to look out the window, but I swear he did smirk. We had hardly moved in the traffic when my phone went off again. I looked at the screen to make sure it wasn't Steve calling back. It was Joe.

"Hi," I answered.

"Hey baby, how are you?"

"Fine."

"Where are you?"

"In a cab with Julian."

"Oh, ok. Where are you guys going?"

"To his apartment to search through Derek's stuff again."

"Need me?"

"No we got it covered." I was thinking that being with those two in a room was best avoided at all times if possible. "Have a nice lunch today?" I asked innocently.

"Yeah. It went ok."

"And?"

"Not a lot to add really. She wasn't really forthcoming where Derek was concerned."

"Uh huh, and that took like two and a half hours to find out?"

"Oh Lola baby, are you jealous?" I could hear the amusement in his voice.