Work Hard Play Harder

7 - Maybe

Candice Pov

When I said yes to coffee with Clive, I didn't think anything of it. He's married. I'm married, and from what I could tell when we worked together he loved his wife. She was all he could ever talk about. To me it was funny that Samuel was jealous over the flowers, because he has nothing to be jealous of. Clive was just... Clive.

As I walked towards the coffee shop, I felt my phone vibrate. I tried to get my phone as quickly as possible thinking it was my husband returning my miss calls. I pouted at the screen in disappointment when I realised it was my friend Renee. 

"Hey girl" I answered my phone indifferently. 

"What the fuck is up with you?" she asked instantly knowing something was up.

"Nothing" I replied quickly as I pressed the button on my car keys to lock the doors. 

"Girl, I know you" Renee reminded me, "I'm guessing Samuel still hasn't called you back"

I sighed, trying not to think too much into it "He hasn't... but I'm sure he's tired or something. Last time I called he was somewhere with noise in the background. I could hear her in the background." I paused still trying not to let it get to me, "she knows exactly what she's doing. I don't trust that bit-" I stopped myself from talking more to prevent me from getting mad.

"I know it's easy to say but don't let her get to you. He's there to get to know his son, and besides you know that man worships the ground you walk on." 

Renee's words were reassuring, but not reassuring enough. The old Samuel that worshipped the ground I walked on would have never cut off my phone calls, or forgotten to call me back. Yes, he is spending time with his son, but what about his daughter? What about me?

"Yeah, maybe you're right" I replied even though I knew she wasn't, "but  I got to go. I'll call you back in about an hour" I quickly hung up before I could hear her protest. 

My eyes scanned the coffee shop before they rested at on Clive who was sitting at a small corner table. His pink lips curved upwards into a sweet smile once he saw me. 

"I thought you wasn't coming for a minute" he said with tint of relief to his voice, as he stood up to greet me. His cologne was strong, but it smelt good.

"Sorry I'm a bit late, let me get you a coffee." I bit my lip feeling a bit bad that I had lost track of time. 

He chuckled, "Don't be silly. What type of man would I be if I let you buy me a drink?" 

"There's nothing wrong with a friend, buying a friend a coffee Clive" I rolled my eyes at him being the typical gentleman type that always made sure he footed the bill. 

"I'll go and get us some coffee. Let me guess, you want a Mocha with two sugars and a slice of chocolate fudge cake." he suggested knowingly. 

My brows almost met as I look at his tanned, chiselled face with confusion. That's exactly what I was planning to get.

"You ordered the same thing every morning of preparing for the show" he smirked. 

"Oh" I smiled, wondering how he still remembered what I liked from last winter. 

"So how've you been?" I asked him once he rested the tray on the table. 

He took a sip of coffee, before glancing up at me with his dark muddy brown eyes "Thanks to you my art has been selling really well, " he smiled which made me smile "I'm looking into setting up my own studio soon before the divorce takes all of my money"

"Divorce?" I questioned genuinely shocked. 

"Yeah, divorce" he confirmed bluntly "It's been a long time coming - we're two different people. She's changed, I changed." 

His explanation to me was sad. A few sentences could summarise an end to seven years of marriage. I didn't know what to say, so I nodded. 

The conversation flowed, as we drank, ate and spoke of old memories. 

His phone rang and he stared at it before putting the the ringtone on mute, "She calls all the time now" he muttered as if it was the worst thing on earth. 

"Maybe you should answer it" the words slipped out of my mouth before I had the chance to stop them. When I first met Clive he was married and in love, it was a shame to see that all slip away. 

He shook his head, "This is the same person that used to ignore my phone calls, and be too busy to call me back. She's only calling now be-" he sighed, "Sorry, I'm really not trying to spoil us meeting again"

"You're not spoiling anything" I automatically replied, but I was already relating to what he was saying and could understand his frustration. Clive was a good guy, he didn't deserve to get ignored. 

"Honestly, it's fine" I said soothingly as I placed my hand on his arm for support. 

His eyes glistened but no tears dropped from his eyes, "Thanks" 

He cleared his throat and changed the subject.

But I felt as if I was on auto pilot. Their marriage seemed so perfect and now it was over. Samuel and I used to be perfect and sometimes I'm worry it will all be over. Maybe finding out he has a child by his ex wife he fought to get divorced with will be too much to handle, or maybe it's the fact he's been spending so much time with her whilst consistently ignoring me? Not even a text good morning, or a text goodnight. No replies to my messages, no response to my calls. 

Maybe that is how it all starts, with the little things. 

The warmth of Clive's hand on top of mine brought me back to reality, "Er-what are you-um"

My words were trapped as he smirked back at me, probably taking my loss of words for something other than shock. 

He laughed at me. His eyes playfully studied my face as his hand returned to touching the wooden table in front of him, "You were in your own little world" 

"Sorry" I muttered, feeling a little embarrassed that he caught me slipping. 

I was embarrassed at my reaction to him touching me. I stuttered because I liked it more than I really should have. Somehow my mind was getting carried away, way beyond my control. I'd seen the size of his hands and started imagining things I really shouldn't have. My cheeks became flushed, and my lips became dry so I licked them. My eyes widened as I tried to erase the thoughts that came to my mind about my friend Clive. 

It was true that I hadn't received the D in a long time especially since I was so used to getting it every day but I have never before this moment been so hot and flustered by the presence of any one other than my husband since I've been married. 

I brushed a curl out of my face under the scrutiny of Clive. His gaze implying that he knew exactly what effect he just had on me. 

"There's nothing to be sorry about" he responded in a suggestive tone.