The Millionaire's 'Friend' - Natasha's Story

Chapter 18 - Different Worlds

I cracked into a peel of laughter. "So modest Evan, as always."

He squeezed my hand one last time before shifting back across the sofa and picking up his half eaten dinner.

"You know me, shy and retiring as I am." He jested.

"So, do I get to ask you your sob story now?"

"You can ask, but since I don't have one it will be a short conversation." He replied blandly, though, I don't think he realised I'd caught the brief stiffening of his shoulders. He had his demons, that I was sure of, but I wasn't going to push him so early in our friendship. I'd have to start with the basics too.

"Alright, smart arse, I've told you about my family, let's hear about yours."

"There's not much to tell really. I have a sister and a niece, as I told you, and then there's my parents who live outside the city."

"Are you and your sister close?" I was watching him finish his dinner, but he'd smiled happily when I asked; an involuntary action that told me the answer before he uttered a word.

"Yes, very. Or at least, we were. I don't get to see her as much as I'd like. She has her own family now. But, we still talk whenever we can."

"I always wanted a sister, or a brother, it would have been nice. Although, I'm so close to Fliss I guess she's like my sister."

"She's certainly as protective as one."

"Oh?"

Evan scowled as though he was reliving a distasteful memory.

"She took a lot of persuading when I roped her in to help me surprise you."

I didn't know why that thought amused me so much. Felicity Reeves could be as stubborn as an ox sometimes; I could just imagine her butting heads with the equally troublesome Evan Cole.

"Used to getting your own way, Mr Cole?"

"Always, Miss Jones." He grinned wickedly, making my heart backflip excitedly. Dropping his eyes he asked, "are you going to finish that?"

I looked down at the few meagre scraps still on my plate. In comparison, Evan's was completely clear, save for a little sauce on the surface. I think if he'd been alone he would have licked it clean.

"Yes, it's mine." I teased possessively. Picking up a strand of spaghetti with my fingers, I popped the end in my mouth and then sucked, letting the slimy pasta flicker in the air before disappearing between my lips. I giggled childishly at the look of surprise on Evan's face. "Please don't tell me you've never eaten spaghetti like that Evan."

"Definitely not." He replied dryly.

"You mean between the silver spoons and fine china at 'Cole Manor', you and your sister never had a spaghetti race?" He just shook his head, completely bewildered.

With my fork I cut two strings of pasta to the same length and then deposited one on Evan's plate. "Loser has to clear the dishes." I challenged.

Evan was not a man to back down from a challenge, but this one was definitely new to him. I wish I could have videoed him as he delicately lifted the pasta between two fingers, like a little girl squeamishly picking up a worm. He followed me as I pressed a piece between my mouth and then nodded to signal 'go.' If it hadn't been for my competitive streak, making me finish before laughing, I would have spit my spaghetti straight across the room. Evan had pursed his lips and started to suck, but the pasta just wriggled from side to side and covered his face in the remains of the sauce.

I hastily swallowed, before rolling around on the sofa in a huge belly laugh that was so hard to control I could barely breathe. When I finally started to calm down I was greeted by Evan narrowing his eyes at me, but still with the end of his spaghetti hanging out of his mouth.