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

Chapter 22 - Evan's Demons

Adam enveloped me in a huge, smothering bear hug, as soon as I walked through the door to the coffee house.

"God Nat, it's so good to see you."

"Yeah, you too." I replied, though not with quite as much enthusiasm as Adam. He finally released me, but his keen excitement didn't ease up.

"Christ, it seems like forever. You must have been keeping well though – you look swell." I seriously doubted that, given that I had over a week's worth of sleepless nights sitting in dark, heavy circles below my eyes. But, it was sweet of him to say. Perhaps his positive vibe would rub off on me.

"So, what would you like? I've just ordered a Cappuccino."

"That sounds good to me." I reached into my pocket for a few coins, but Adam tapped my hand away lightly and paid for us both. Having collected our drinks, he ushered me to a small round table in the corner.

"You know, everytime Breaking Bad gets repeated, or someone mentions the latest episode of The Americans I can't help but wonder what you thought of them."

"Oh well, I haven't really had tim........."

"But, then I remember that you haven't got Sky coz I used to copy them for you......" Adam rambled on, completely cutting off any replies I could have made. Suddenly this meet up didn't seem like such a good idea afterall. Adam had chatted incessantly from the moment I'd arrived. His energy was boundless, like an excitable young puppy. He was exhausting me, and we'd only just sat down.

"You know, I'm really pleased you could meet me, Nat. I've just been feeling so guilty about how things ended with Fliss. She's such a delicate girl....." I bit my tongue at what I perceived as an insult to my loyal, kind-hearted best friend. Adam was oblivious. "....it would have been so much worse had she not had someone so strong to support her. I've been really concerned about her, but obviously if I'd checked in on her myself I think it would have just made things worse. Don't you?"

"Yes, I do."

"Hmmm, that's what I thought. But, you know, it was just time for us to part ways, I couldn't hang around just because I was worried about how she'd take it."

'Yeah, I get that." I replied. I didn't give much back – I was too busy trying to figure out where Adam was heading with all this. "And I think Fliss has seen things more clearly now; she just couldn't see it at the time."

"That's good. I'm so glad she's doing well. And, I have to say it's all thanks to you." I smiled and shrugged, not sure what to say. "No, really. I owe you so much. You've been a rock. You're so together, focused, you know what you want and you go out and get it. It's a shame more people aren't like you."

"Ok Adam, you're starting to sound like you're backing me for the next Prime Minister or something." He chuckled.

"The country could do a lot worse than Natasha Jones." He raised his coffee cup to me and gave me the cheesiest grin ever. "Anyway, seriously, thank you, that's what I wanted to say. Those situations are never straight forward. I mean, relationships are just so hard. You know?"

"No one ever said they were easy."

"Yeah but, I think you've probably got the right idea by not wasting your time."

"Uh-huh." I answered shortly, my temper slightly piqued by his implication that I avoided relationships just because I couldn't be bothered. Adam didn't pick up on it, he was too busy, idly peeling the corner of the paper sleeve around his cup.

"The world would be a lot more chilled out if it followed your philosophy. Meeting up with people in a relaxed, easy manner. Nothing too rigid or involved. I mean, I know you don't date like normal people; casual sex is your thing, right?"