Repeating History (History #1) by Hanleigh Bradley Read Free Book Online Page B

but it was still sometimes hard to remember how different things used to be between us. I used to be jealous of her. She had Andrew. They’d only ever been friends; but I’d have loved to be his friend.
    “Nothing worth hashing over now,” I tell her coolly.
    Her eyes are sad as she looks me over. She’s so maternal, it’s a shame that her and Mike had never managed to conceive naturally. She was born to be a mother and Amelia Vincent was the luckiest little girl alive in my opinion. “We’re here,” she places a caring arm on my shoulder, “if you want to talk.”
    “Thank you.”
    “You brought dinner?” her tone is bright, making it clear that she’s dropping the subject at least for the moment.
    “Indian as requested,” I grin at her.
    “Fantastic! Michael, grab some plates,” she tells her husband, “I’ll pour the wine.”
    I stand there watching them move around the kitchen together. I notice the hidden touches. The way Sarah will lean across Mike to get something off the counter and graze her hand across his arm or the way Mike will place a hand at the base of her back as he opens the cutlery draw. They are about as in love as it is possible to be. They are all the proof I need to know that not all marriages end like my parents’. “Mike told me that you are working with Andrew,” Sarah begins a new line of questioning.
    “Yeah,” I nod, gulping down a finger or two of my wine, “it was a bit of a surprise.”
    “I’m sure. Do you want to eat in the living room? Or in the dining room?”
    “The lounge is fine,” I smile, “thank you Sarah.”
    “You are welcome,” she replies hospitably.
    We each carry our plate through to the living room. Once we are all settled, Sarah continues our conversation as Mike turns on the TV and begins to scan through the channels. He stops on the BBC news and the wind is knocked out of me, because there on the screen is a picture of my boss and his girlfriend, Aurora Stone.
    “That’s my boss,” I blurt out, cutting across whatever Sarah is saying about Andrew.
    Mike turns up the volume. Mike is part of the reason I got an interview at TRW in the first place. Landon is a really close friend of Mike’s brother, Jack. I’m not the only one with an invested interest in the outcome of this news report. I’m shocked to hear the reporter say that Aurora’s plane has crashed. It’s difficult because I don’t even know the woman but I was talking about her just this morning. “Holy shit,” I pull out my phone and automatically send an instant message to Andrew;
    Have you seen the news?
    Yes. Can’t talk. Landon has gone to L.A.
    I’m working with the guys at P and P to organise a press release.
    His response is a surprise. It’s more than I’d expect from him. He really is dedicated to his job at TRW. In the meeting this morning with the other directors, I’d also gotten the impression that he and Landon were sort of friends.
    Is there anything I can do to help?
    Is there anything you need?
    No. I just need you to enjoy your Christmas.
    What about your Christmas? Aren’t you going to your mother’s?
    I’m cross with myself as soon as I press send. I’m giving more away than I’m sure exists. He’s going to think I’m interested now.
    My family will forgive me being a bit late. The circumstances are exceptional.
    Will you let me know when you hear something?
    I don’t know why it matters so much to me. I don’t know the woman. She’s just my boss’s girlfriend but I need to know she is okay. Landon has the potential to be the best boss I’ve ever had and I want to know he’s okay. He’s certainly better than Cathy already; he’s definitely not going to sleep with my boyfriends.
    It might be late before I hear anything.
    Trust Andrew to be thoughtful now, when it’s completely unnecessary.
    I’ll be awake. I’m at Mike and Sarah’s. We’re wrapping presents for Amelia, their daughter.
    Mike knows Landon pretty well – I’m not