Chapter 19

Just Like Old Times

For those of you that are ready for Eric to find out about Flynn, it's coming. I have a storyline that I'm following and though I want to, I can't rush it. He's going to learn of his child soon but it's just not in this chapter. We have a couple more chapters to go before we get down to the nitty gritty. This is the extra chapter for the day. If y'all keep drowning me with reviews, this story will be posted completely by the end of next week! Are y'all sure that you want the story to be over so soon?

The story idea is mine but the main characters belong to Charlaine Harris. Enjoy this chapter.

P.S.: Don't hate them too much for being difficult with each other. It's Sookie and Eric. What else could you possibly expect?

After reading three chapters of my book, my stomach began to growl uncontrollably. The tuna fish sandwich and lukewarm water was not enough. I needed some food; some real food. I looked at my bedside clock and it was only 10:00. It was still early enough for me to get something good to eat. That's one of the best things about living in New York. There's always a restaurant that's open.

I got up from bed and dressed in a pair of jeans, red cashmere sweater and black boots. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail and put on some peppermint Chapstick and I was ready to go.

Taking my coat and purse from the coat hook, I walked the three blocks to Busy's Café to have myself a quiet and peaceful dinner. I almost turned around to get my car but changed my mind. I was glad that I didn't drive. The New York night air felt good on my face. The nice, brisk walk was what I needed. Don't get me wrong. Gran didn't raise no fool. I kept my hands in my coat pockets with one finger on the trigger of my can of pepper spray and my other wrapped around the trigger of a taser. I may be a country girl, born and raised, but I'm no fool.

When I walked into the café, the smell of food hit me right in the stomach. It smelled so good. I waved at Holly and placed my coat on one of the hooks by the door. I went to my favorite booth and waited for her to wait on me.

"Hey, Sookie," she said when she came to my table. Her smile was just as bright as it always is. "Where's our girl, Flynn?"

Holly is the best waitress to grace the halls of Busy's Café. Her personality is amazing and she's absolutely beautiful. Her coal black hair and pale blue eyes give her an exotic look and from what I gather, they keep the men sitting in her section. It's 10:30 and she's pretty busy … all men … all staring at her.

I greeted Holly with a smile and said that Flynn was with Pam. "She didn't have school today so she spent the day with her favorite aunt. And you know where they went."

"The museum," Holly stated.

"Exactly," I said as I pointed at her.

"Well, it's good to see you. It's been too long," she said as she took her pen from her apron pocket and opened her notepad. 'I can assume that you've been working those long hours again?"

Sighing, I answered, "You can assume correctly, my friend. And I'm worn out."

She smiled. "I definitely know the feeling. So, what can I get you?"

"Yes I do," I replied as I placed my menu on the table. "I'd like a glass of water with lemon. I'll have the grilled chicken with the steamed asparagus and sweet baby carrots; hold the bread." I patted my belly when I said that. "I need to cut down on the carbs."

Holly placed both her hands on her hips and said, "Are you kidding me? I wish that I had your shape. It's not a pretty thing when you have to walk through a door sideways."

Our laughter filled the air. "You know you have a beautiful shape, Holly," I assured her. "Why else would these men be in here this late at night and not eating? You need to cut it out. Who comes to a diner and orders nothing but water?" And I wasn't just saying that. The girl has an hourglass figure. She looks amazing. Just ask Pam. She loves to stare at Holly.

Leaning in to me said, "Makes for great tips." She winked at me and said that she would be back with my food in a few minutes.

I love dining here. They have the best home cooking ever. It's a little pricier than I think it should be but it's worth it. But being that I'm the granddaughter of the cheapest grandparents in the world, I would expect the meal to practically be free.

While I waited for my late dinner, I borrowed the newspaper that the earlier patron had left behind. I decided to flip through it to see what was going on in the world today.

Same old same; gas prices were up and unemployment has decreased but it's still not as it should be but it's getting better. Everything gets better. It just takes time. "Can't rush change," I said to myself.

As I flipped to the next page, a shadow unexpectedly appeared over me. The smell of his cologne told me who it was without me looking. "May I join you?" Eric asked.

I pointed to the booth across from me. "Sure," I said as I continued to read the paper.

"Alone?" he asked.

"I am," I said as I closed the paper and slid it to the right of me. I rested my elbows on the table and looked up at my uninvited guest and around him. "So, where's the girl that was waiting on you earlier today? What's her name again … Freyda Madden … the spoiled brat of No Town?"

Eric laughed as he removed his coat. "So, you know who she is?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I was curious so I typed the name Madden in Google Search and she and that football guy popped up. I figured that she was the Madden that you're dating. I tried digging up as much dirt as I could on her but found nothing. Just a couple of pictures. I figured that I find a couple of you two together. It's mighty funny that I couldn't find one."

"Does it trouble you?" he asked.

"That I couldn't find a picture of you two together? Not really," I said.

Again, he laughed

"But really, Eric … a kept woman with no aspirations? She's not even an actress. She's an extra. You're actually dating Freyda Madden? Is she with you tonight? Hopefully, she's in the trunk of your car … tied up and with duct tape over her mouth … at the bottom of the Hudson River."

Again, he laughed as his beautiful eyes landed on my face. "Would you really want me to put her in the trunk?"

Resting my arms on the table and leaning towards him, I answered, "I want nothing more."

His familiar smile consumed his handsome face as his resounding and hearty laugh filled the café. I'd never heard a more beautiful sound. Until tonight, I didn't realize how much I've missed it.

Though I wanted to be mad at Eric, his smile and his laughter has always warmed my heart. I lowered my eyes and shook my head. I smiled as he continued to laugh at Freyda's expense. He didn't realize that I was serious. I really wanted her to be in the trunk; at the bottom of the Hudson. I wanted her at the deepest part of the Hudson.

That's not too much to ask, is it?

I didn't think so.

"You look so beautiful when you smile," he said as he sat down.

"What?" I said as I looked up at him. My face was a red as the sweater that I was wearing.

This time he gave me a shy smile. This felt like our first date. We had been best friends for years but when we went on our first date, it was as if we had only just met. We didn't know what to say to each other or what to do but as the night went on it was just like old times. The only difference is that on that night, we ended the date with an argument. He got mad because I talked to Bill on my way back from the restroom. He continued to tell me that I was his and that I was not allowed to be in the company of other men; especially not Bill Compton. I lost it as did he. We made up the next day.

"Nothing," he said.

While he stared at me, Holly served me my dinner. "Welcome to Busy's. I'm Holly," she said to Eric. "What can I get you?"

"Coffee ... black, please," he ordered.

"Will be right back," she said. When she came back with Eric's coffee, Holly winked at me and smiled. When she was no longer facing him, she mouthed the word, "HOT!" as she pointed at him.

I couldn't help but laugh. Eric looked at me and shook his head. He knew what we were saying and he enjoyed it. I could tell by the smug and knowing look on his handsome face.

When Holly was gone, Eric asked, "Why were you sitting here alone? I told you that I wanted to take you to dinner. All you had to do was give me your number and address and I would've picked you up … or we could've eaten at your place."

Uh … that wasn't going to happen.

I shook my head. "I've had my share of experiencing dinners with you. I don't want to have to go through that again."

He frowned at me. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Determining not to take things back to Sweden, I shook my head and said, "Nothing. I just mean that whenever we have dinner something bad always happens unless we were having dinner with Gran."

His expression softened as he relaxed. "We could've changed that," he offered.

I shrugged my shoulders. "It's okay. I enjoy eating dinner alone sometimes. It gives me time to think things over. And besides, I figured that you'd be busy with Freyda. And I didn't agree to go out with you anyway." I pushed my carrots around on my plate and then asked, "How did you know that I was here? Are you following me?"

Without shame or embarrassment, he nodded his head yes. "As a matter of fact, I am. I called your work number but I got no answer. Einin would not give me your personal cell phone number. I could've gone through your work files but decided against it. I figured if I'd get that information, I'd get it from you. So, I decided to take the most logical route. I assumed that you were with Pam. I called her to see if I could come over to talk to you but she said that you weren't there. I asked her for your personal cell number and she would not give it to me but she did send me here. She said that you probably went out to eat. She said that if you were hungry, you were at Busy's." He threw his hands up and said, "So, here I am."

"Yep and here you are. Would you like some?" I asked as I cut into my chicken.

Huskily, he said, "If you're willing to give it to me."

I stopped in midair as I was putting a piece of chicken in my mouth. "Really, Eric?" I countered.

"Really," he said. "I would love to taste what you have to offer."

Though his comment gave me butterflies, I ate my dinner as he sipped on his coffee. I asked him about Sweden and how he spent his time there. "You look too well rested to have spent all of your time working."

I wish that I could say that you rested up while I was there but I won't. I will bite my tongue.

After he stopped writing to me, I started reading about the things that Eric and I never got to see together. I even lived vicariously through Pam. She would take pictures of Sweden when she'd visit. Flynn has more than a few of his pictures on the bulletin board in her room. Pam gave them to her on the day that I told her who her daddy is. She has a shoebox filled with pictures of her dad and his homeland. Come to think of it, there are quite a few memories boxed away in the house.

"I did my share of relaxing but I spent most of my time working. It was nice to be in my mom's homeland. If you'd stayed long enough, I would've loved to have shared it with you," he said.

I made sure to chew my food before responding to him. "If you hadn't spent my entire visit working, I would've loved to have shared it with you. I would've loved to have shared a lot of things with you. With the way things worked out, I should've stayed at home."

Frowning, Eric had the nerve to ask, "Why would you say that?"

I wanted to light into him and give him some serious lip but I didn't do that. I couldn't do that. We were in public for one and it was not the time. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply before opening them and giving him one of my most devastating smiles. I didn't want to argue with him. I wanted to enjoy my dinner and his company.

Finally speaking, I said, "It just means that I wish that I had been able to spend more time with you. Now tell me. How did you spend your time? I really want to know."

"Sookie, I …," he began.

I shook my head no. "I don't want to talk about it. I want to know about your time there."

With that being said, he was off and running. "After your visit, I finished my schooling. As time went on, I gradually took over E&E Enterprises. After a while, I did rest up and enjoy myself a little. I went skiing. I worked. I went out on a few dates. They never led to anything. I'd love for you to come back ... it'll be different. Work wont' be a problem for me this time. We can enjoy the sights of Sweden together. You and Flynn would love it."

My heart skipped a beat when he included Flynn.

"If I can find the time, maybe we will go," I said. I wasn't too sure if things would be any different, though; especially after he finds out about my little secret.

He looked down at his hands before looking at me. "After your visit, you quit taking my calls. You stopped replying to my letters and I never knew why."

I wanted to bring up Appius and my visit but I thought better against it. I'd save that for a more private time. "Things were hectic," I answered. "My life changed so much after the visit that I … I don't know. I figured that since your life was different that we needed the space."

Reaching across the table and taking my hands, he said, "I didn't need space from you. That was the last thing I'd want from you."

I dropped my head because I didn't want him to see the sadness in my eyes. "Let's not talk about this, okay? I don't want to talk about this here. We should be alone when we have this talk. Things aren't as they seem." I shook my head no to let him know that I meant it.

"What does that mean?"

"It means that we need to be alone when we have this talk. That's all I ask," I said. "Is that okay? Please?"

And he didn't press the issue any further. He stood up from his seat and came to sit by me. "I just thought that I'd ask. Anyway, you are a hard person to reach. No one wanted to give me what I wanted. Pam would call and come for visits and she would tell me nothing. She'd lock her cell phone or hide it so that I couldn't go through it. I would beg but she didn't budge. I called your grandparents … nothing. Adele wanted to tell me but she swore to her baby girl that she wouldn't say a word 'no matter how wrong I think she is'."

That sounded just like Gran.

I started to laugh. She said that to me more than once. She didn't like that I'd cut all communication with Eric. She hated that I didn't try harder. My eyes began to cloud over.

Every year when it gets closer to the holidays, it gets harder and harder. I can smell Gran's home cooking. I can see Pam making the biggest mess and complaining about getting flour on her shoes. I can hear Gran'pa and Jason in the living room cheering on whatever team was playing. Jason would tell Flynn about the different plays and which teams she needed to cheer on. Michele, Jason's wife, would be ragging him about how weak his team's defensive line was. Those were the good days. Those were the best times.

"I miss them so much." I looked at him with watering eyes and said, "It never feels real and it's been three years."

"I'm sorry that I couldn't be there with you. I never meant for you to go through that alone. I would've been there for you but I didn't find out until a couple of days before their funerals. I did my best …"

I quickly wiped at my eyes and placed my hand on top of his as to cut him off. "I know. It's okay. I understand." I looked into his eyes and said, "I hear that congratulations are in order. Pam told me the good news."

His eyes clouded over with something that I didn't recognize but me being me, I ignored it and continued.

"I know that you're glad that you don't have to deal with your father anymore. I'm happy for you. To be free of his tyrannical ways must be heaven for you." I started stroking the back of his hand with my thumb.

When I realized what I was doing, I tried to take my hand back but Eric grabbed it. Still holding my hand, he scooted in closer to me. He pushed my plate to the other side of the table as he trailed his thumb along my face as he looked into my eyes. "I don't want to talk about Appius. I want to talk about us. I've missed you, Sookie. I've missed you so much."

I leaned my forehead against his and closed my eyes. "You have no idea." Without letting myself think, I wrapped my arms around him and sighed. "I'm so glad you're back. I've missed you too." I sat back and looked at him and said, "So much has happened and you need to know about them. That's why I went to Sweden. I had so much to tell you but I never got the chance."

He used his thumb to wipe my tears away. Tears that I didn't realize had fallen. "I can't wait for you to tell me." He kissed me so lightly that I almost didn't feel it.

Holly cleared her throat when she approached the table. "Would you two like some dessert?"

"No," Eric answered hastily and a little rudely if truth be known.

The New York look that she gave him, told me that she was about to give him a little of that New York attitude but in the end, she didn't have to do it.

"I apologize, for my rudeness," he said as he glanced at her over his shoulder for no more than a second. He stared at me and said, "It's just that I haven't seen her in so long." He kissed me again.

"It's okay. Here's the check." I could hear the smile in her voice.

Eric pulled his wallet from his pocket and retrieved a bill. Without looking at it, he gave it to Holly and said, "Keep the change."

From the look in her eyes, it was more than she expected. "Are you sure?"

Ignoring Holly completely, Eric asked, "May I walk you home?"

"Thank you," she exclaimed as she walked away.

My heart skipped a beat and I had one of the biggest of lumps known to man to suddenly appear in my throat. The most that I could do was nod. He scooted from the booth still holding my hand. He went to the other side to get his coat and he tried valiantly to put it on while he was holding my hand unfortunately, it didn't work.

"You're going to have to let me go."

He looked at me through furrowed brows and said, "Never again."

"My hand," I said. "I meant that you'd have to let my hand go so that you can put on your coat."

He laughed and said, "Oh."

When he released my hand, I began to walk towards the door so that I could get my coat. He grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to him. "Where are you going?"

I pointed to the coat rack and said, "To get my coat."

He hurriedly put his coat on and took my hand into his. "Okay," he said. "We'll go together."

So, that's what we did. We walked to the coat rack and he removed my coat from it and held it for me as I put it on. He didn't waste any time in grabbing my hand again. "Have a goodnight, Holly," I called to her.

"Goodnight. Tell Flynn that I said hello."

"Will do," I said.

As we walked home, I noticed that a black car that was following us … very, very slowly. I'd assumed that it was the car that Eric was in when he tracked me down. I looked up at him and asked, "Is that car following us?"

Eric shrugged his shoulders as he talked to me. "Ignore it. So, what made you decide to be a lawyer? You always said that you wanted to be a writer or a publisher. You always loved to read. I've always pictured you working with books."

I looked puzzled at his choice of discussion. I figured that he would more than want to know why I'd gone to Sweden but I was more than willing to talk about my career choices. "I did at one time but it wasn't what I needed. Life changes and you have to change with it so I took a different route. I figured that being an attorney isn't that far of a stretch when it comes to writing, you know? You have to be creative with your opening statements. You have to appeal to the jury anyway that you can. You have to pull them in with your words and that's what I do now. I never expected to love my work as much as I do but I do." A cool wind blew through me and I began to shiver and pulled my coat tighter around me.

When I did that, Eric pulled me under his arm. I settled into where I've always belonged, and continued talking. "I love my job. I didn't expect to love it as much as I do but I'm great at it." I wrapped my arm around his waist as we continued our stroll home ... to my home.

"I saw your case file. You were promoted to junior associate four years after being with the company. I'd say that you're more than great at it. Right out of college, you were taking on clients that other lawyers could only dream of." He looked down at me and said, "You speak of your job with a lot of passion and heart. What do you love about it? If I had to guess, I would say that it would have to be the control, the power. Am I right?"

My eyes widened. "I love the power more than anything!" Without meaning to, I stepped from underneath his arm and started talking animatedly. "I love the excitement, the deadlines! I love speaking with the CEOs of these huge corporations that we have to go up against. I love that they doubt me because of my age. Their doubt and their skepticism; they keep me going." I was beyond happy when I spoke of my job. "I love that the headhunters have been clamoring for me and I love turning them down. It's the best feeling to know that they want me and that can't have me."

"I know the feeling," he whispered.

I heard him but continued on as if I didn't but I did notice that he had a look of pride on his face. He nodded at me; though I hadn't spoken.

"You know what else?"

Smiling, he said, "What?"

"I never have to do the same thing twice. Each case is different. I give all of me to each one that has the law firm's name and my name attached to it. CAPRA … E&S &Associates is the second best thing I've done. I take pride in my work. And I take nothing less from those under me." I looked at him and said, "You'll see. Oh and sometimes I get a little … hard. I get hard when my team is not on point. But it's not a big deal. They've seen it millions of times. Since you're the new boss, I thought that maybe I'd better warn you." I winked at him and proceeded to walk a little ahead of him. "I'd hate for my passion and heart to cause me to look bad in front of the new boss."

"I look forward to seeing you in action." I could still feel his eyes on me. And I knew that he wasn't just talking about my job. I purposely ignored the comment.

"The best part is that I am financially able to provide for my daughter. Being able to give Flynn all of the things that I never had and to send her to the best school; that's what I love the most. Her smarts are not a handicap here as they were for me in Bon Temps. Her differences make her unique where mine made me strange. She's made my life better. She's so wonderful, Eric. She's so smart and so beautiful. She's just like ..." I clapped my now blue hands under my chin and repeated, "Oh, Eric! I can't wait for you to meet her. She's just so wonderful and so funny. You're going to love her and I know that she's going to love you." I stopped walking and looked at him.

"I know that I will," he said when he reached me. I felt that he was about to kiss me so I stepped back as I took his hand.

"And guess what?" I asked.

"What?" he asked as his grin widened.

"They want to skip her up to the sixth grade. Isn't that something?" I asked. "I don't know if that's what's best for her but for her to have that opportunity is fantastic. What do you think we should do? Should we let her skip up a few grades? I keep thinking that it might be a little too much for her. What should we do?"

"Are you asking my opinion?" he asked.

"I guess I am," I whispered as we started walking to my home. I figure that just because he didn't answer my letters then, that doesn't mean that he can't be a part of her life now, right? He still has to know about her, right?

He shrugged his shoulders and said, "If she's mature enough to handle it, I don't see any reason why she can't challenge her mind. If she was my daughter, I would let her do it; especially if it's something that she'd like to do. I'd be extremely proud of her but I'd want to know what she wants before making that decision. It might be what she wants. Have you asked her?" he asked as he looked at me.

I shook my head no. "I haven't had a chance to talk it over with her. She's still with Pam. You're the first person I've told."

"You haven't told her dad?" he asked.

Instead of answering his question, I didn't say anything.

Squeezing my hand as we walked, he said, "Thanks for sharing with me and asking my opinion. I'm flattered."

I looked up at him and smiled.

For a while, we walked in silence and just enjoyed each other's company. When we reached my apartment building, I said, "This is it." We stood outside of the doors and looked at each other. "We have a perfect view of Central Park. It's gorgeous in the winter time; especially when it snows. Flynn loves the carriage rides. They're her favorite."

"Do you sleep in the lobby?" he asked.

"No. Why would we sleep in the lobby? We live upstairs." I turned red from embarrassment when I realized that he was being sarcastic. "Oh," I said as I pulled the door open. I also noticed the black car that was still following us.

He laughed heartily at my expense.

When we walked into the lobby, Claudette was working security tonight; she, Claude, and Claudine. They may not look it but they are the most vicious people I've ever met in my life. The stories that they tell of their days as Navy Seals are so unbelievable that they have to be true.

"Good evening …," Claudette said. Her mouth dropped open when she saw Eric.

"Good evening, Claudette," I said. "Eric, this is Claudette. Claudette ..." I stopped speaking when she walked from around her station.

"You're Eric Northman. You made Forbes and People magazines most eligible bachelors list a couple of years ago." The look on her face told me that she was about to get started. Claudette is a lover of charities and she will do whatever she can to get the filthy rich to donate.

"Listen, Mr. Northman," she said. "I have a proposition for you."

I warned him by squeezing his hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Claudette. Goodnight."

"But wait," Claudine said. "I'm Claudine and I don't want anything from you. I just want to know if you're looking for a date."

"Claudine!" I exclaimed.

Eric pulled me away from the security team and hurried me into the direction of the elevator. He didn't respond to Claudine's request for a date; though I could tell that he was flattered.

He pressed the up button and stared at me. "Which floor?" he asked after the doors opened and we stepped inside.

"Twentieth," I said as I stared at his back.

After pressing the correct floor and the doors closed, Eric pulled me into his arms and kissed me passionately. I tried not to kiss him back but failed. I kissed him with everything in me. When the elevator stopped and the doors opened, he released me. I looked flushed and he looked as cool as ever. He left the elevator and waited for me but I couldn't move. When the doors were about to close, he reached for me and pulled me out. I looked up at him with my eyes wide and my lady parts throbbing.

"Which way do we go?"

"That way," I said as I pointed.

He chuckled as he pulled me down the hall.

When we reached my apartment, I said, "This is it."

With my back leaned against the door, Eric stared down at me. "Aren't you going to invite me in?" He stepped in closer to me; our bodies were pressed tightly together. "I won't do anything that you don't want me to."

I groaned at those seductive words. "I'm not letting you do anything to me."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"I am."

He leaned down and began kissing my neck. I slumped against the door. My knees buckled and my heart stopped. No other man has ever made me feel as Eric does and I'm afraid that no other man will.

Before I could fall to the floor, he put his arm around my waist and held me closer to him. "We haven't seen each other in ten years, lover. We have to make up for lost time." He continued to kiss me as he let his hands get to know my body once again. My body responded in kind.

"Ahh; it feels so good," I said as he cupped my breasts.

As he pressed me closer to the door, his hardness was soon grinding against me. "Don't you want me?"

"No," I said as I wrapped my arms tighter around him.

"I don't believe you." He nibbled my neck and licked my ear. "Please, just let me in for a minute."

I wanted to let him in. I really wanted to let him in. My panties were on fire but I couldn't. "Eric, please stop." He continued to kiss me until I pinched his ear. "Stop, I can't." I could not let this happen. He needed to know the truth first. He needed to know about Flynn. We definitely needed to discuss the issue of Freyda and I had to tell him about Alcide.

"Why can't I come in?"

"You just can't."

He stepped away from me and asked, "Are you married?"

I could see a flicker of jealousy as it passed through his eyes. I could almost see his heartbreak. He had the same look as I had when his minion mentioned 'Ms. Madden' today. "I'm not but we need to talk about some things first. We can't just jump into bed. We can't do that."

"Are you getting married?"

"No," I answered.

"Are you seeing anyone?"

"Kind of; we've been dating for a few years. We're not what I'd call serious. But we are dating but that's not why you can't …"

"Is he the one that you were walking with on the street?" he interrupted. "Was he the one that had his arm wrapped around you?"

I frowned at him and asked, "What? When did you see me with him?"

His blue eyes grew cold and icy. "Are you and this 'kind of' guy sleeping together?" His voice was dripping ice cubes.

I ignored his question just as he'd ignored mine.

"Are you fucking him?" he said through clenched teeth.

"You don't have any right to ask me that," I finally said.

He stooped down to eye level with me and stared deep into my eyes. "Have you fucked him?"

I began to shift from foot to foot. He had to realize that I wasn't going to be celibate ... right? I knew that he wasn't going to be so why would he expect the same from me? I didn't want to answer his question but I sucked it up and did just that.

"We're close and we …"

He cut me off and asked, "You've fucked him?"

"That's none of your business," I hissed at him.

"I'll take that as a yes. What's his name?"

"Freyda Madden," I retorted. "Victor's daughter, I assume."

He had me pinned against the door once again and said in a quiet yet icy tone, "You are mine!"

Though I could barely move, I stood tall and looked him square in his eyes. Doing my best to keep my cool and my voice to an acceptable level, I said, "I belong to me! If you are trying to get me back, you're going about the wrong way. And who do you think you are asking me if I'm having sex with someone else? I haven't asked you if you're fucking Freyda … which I assume that you are."

I didn't want to know but I had to say it. It was only fair. "Are you fucking her?"

When I posed that same question to him, Eric lost his holier than thou attitude and a little of his defensive posture.

"You're fucking her," I said with finality.

That time, the defensive posture was gone and he stepped back from me; unable to speak. "It's not what you think," he said.

"I'll take that as a yes."

With my hand in my pocket retrieving my keys, I shook my head. I looked at Eric and said, "I want to thank you for an exquisite evening. It was what I anticipated after not seeing you for ten years. It's just like old times." I took his hand and shook it. "It was great seeing ya!" I turned my back to him and opened my door.

When I went inside I turned around and looked at him. He opened his mouth to say something but I slammed the door in his face.

As I stomped off down the hallway and to my bedroom, I began stripping off my clothes. I only thought of one thing. I'll bet work's going to be a barrel of monkeys' tomorrow morning.