Page 13 of Checkmate
“Giovanni’s,” he said, curling his lip. “I made the mistake of telling her she could choose anywhere.”
“Expensive taste.”
“Yeah, expensive and no taste. The food’s shit, which she’d know if she paid attention. But no, she just saw a price tag.”
Erica widened her eyes in surprise as he unleashed his frustrations. It was no surprise that Sophie enjoyed the finer things in life. The girl dressed head to toe in designer brands and only drank some fancy make of bottled water.
“I mean, did you see that ugly jewellery she was wearing today? Like I said, no taste.”
“I believe her husband bought her that jewellery,” she reminded him. “And it wasn’t ugly. It was old and worth a pretty big chunk of change.”
“But that proves my point,” he said, waving his fork around. “Wants the price tag no matter what it is. I bet that water she drinks tastes no different from tap water, and yet every day she sips on it like it’s liquid gold.”
“Who knew you were holding all this anger inside?” Erica said, taking a drink. “Although I have to say, hearing you talk like this has eased some worries I had.”
Alex’s expression changed almost immediately, confusion furrowing his brow. “What are you talking about? You’re worried?”
She shrugged and considered her words as she chewed her food. “No. That was the wrong word. I’m not worried.”
“So, what is it?”
“I’ve just had the feeling that Sophie has a crush on you,” she said with another shrug. “I’ve never brought it up before because it didn’t feel important.”
“But you had worries that needed to be eased?”
“What would I have to fear about another woman crushing on you? I’m sure plenty have over the years.”
“Nothing,” Alex said firmly. “You have nothing to fear because other women don’t exist to me.”
Erica smiled at his insistence.
He reached across for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Sophie is irrelevant, and if anything about her makes you uncomfortable, she’ll be gone first thing in the morning.”
“God. No, Alex. That’s not what I want at all. I might be completely wrong.”
He smiled across at her and nodded. “Okay, fine. I’m just saying. There’s nothing more important to me than you, and I won’t risk anything making you doubt that.”
“As if I ever could,” Erica replied, leaning closer to kiss the corner of his mouth before settling back into her chair to continue her meal. “You’ve never made me feel anything other than completely loved. I’m sorry I’ve put that thought in your mind.”
“It’s fine.” He took another bite before spreading a smirk. “I think I quite like seeing a little jealousy in you.”
Erica rolled her eyes and pushed her plate away, having eaten her fill. “It’s nothing to do with jealousy.”
“No? Not even a little?”
“Not even a smidgeon. I only mentioned it because she seems to get progressively frostier towards me. I figured it was because she was the jealous one.”
“Oh, she’s certainly jealous,” Alex said, dropping his fork to his plate. “Look at you. Who wouldn’t be?”
“Sophie is a beautiful woman—”
“But she’s not you, Erica. No one is. I firmly believe every woman on this earth would be a little jealous of you.”
“Okay, you’re laying it on a bit thick,” she laughed, shaking her head. “Let’s move on, shall we?”
“In a second,” Alex said, knocking back his drink. “Erica, you know you’re my priority, right?”
“Yes,” she agreed. “I sort of wish I didn’t bring it up now. I just wanted to warn you. Make sure you were being tactful around her.”
