Read Online A Moral Dilemma: A Romantic Comedy Chick Lit Story by Zara Kingsley - Free Book Online Page B

one’s heart would never be in danger of being ripped out and shredded by lying cheating toe-rags.
    “C’mon,” I said. “Let’s go get a drink.”
    “Ah, music to my ears.”
    We passed the huddle of City men in their weekend scruffs at the barbecue station, each one bragging about his own culinary skills, as Sebastian prodded meat that didn’t need prodding and poured marinade where it was not needed, clearly enjoying his macho position as provider. He was bare footed in khaki shorts and laughing as he moved around the barbecue in time to the music, stopping every now and then to play-wrestle one of his friends. He spotted us as we passed by and called out to Abby teasingly:
    “Come and give us a hand won’t you Abby?” Knowing full well that the whiff of barbecue was the last thing her hangover needed.
    Abigail stopped and looked at him. “Sebastian, I do hope you won’t be cremating dead flesh for too much longer. I just cannot stand it today.”
    “Don’t worry my precious,” he soothed mockingly, “I’ve got a nice big thick one for you right here.” At which the huddle of city boys instantly fell about guffawing and slapping him on his back. I rolled my eyes, reminding myself never to trust an investment banker IF I should ever come into money.
    “Er no thanks,” she said, the corners of her lips curling into a smile as she – being the only one of us – including Juju – who ever really got Seb’s jokes – tried to restrain herself from laughing with them. “Why don’t you give it to Julia? I’ve already had one today,” she quipped.
    “Oooh, touché Abigail,” Seb said grinning from ear to ear as the huddle roared. “Touché!” Sebastian was actually quite harmless and completely devoted to Julia. His taking her back after being dumped at the altar twice was testament to that. Flirting with Abigail was totally innocent as having known each other since kindergarten they were firm friends. And the fact that they had loved and subsequently lost their virginity to each other, had long since been chalked up as history.
    Julia parked herself next to us on the wicker sofa looking far too excited for a lazy Sunday afternoon. “Well? What do you think?” she happily gushed, directing her question at Abigail. Abigail and I looked at each other both equally confused.
    “Erm, what do I think about what Juju?” she said as though she were talking to a three-year-old.
    “About Bradley?!” I squinted my eyes and wondered if I had somehow missed a whole conversation since yesterday’s training and today’s soirée. Nope I didn’t think so.
    “Who’s Bradley?” I asked them both. Abigail shrugged her shoulders carelessly and Julia looked at me with open mouth as though I’d just let her down.
    “Bradley’s the guy I was telling you about! Duh!” I was still lost and apparently so was Abby.
    “Look Juju,” Abby leaned toward her, “I really can’t be arsed with your cryptic fucking clues today OK. Now do you want to just tell me what the fuck it is you’re babbling on about or not?” and took a swig of her vodka tonic.
    Julia exaggerated a frustrated sigh. “Bradley started working at Ivan Haus Investments a few months ago,” she explained. “He’s a commodities controller ,” she whispered as if either of us had a scooby as to what this meant. “Well Seb gets on really well with him and he’s been over a few times.” I had to restrain myself from asking the inevitable: Sooo?
    Abigail, however, had no such control. “ Sooo?! ”
    “ So , he’s a really cool guy…and he’s single.” Oh OK. I get it. Talk about going around the bloody houses! “I think you two would be great together Abby. You simply have to let me introduce you.”
    Abigail lowered her sunglasses a fraction and peeped heavy hooded eyes over the rim at Julia. “Not. Interested. Besides,” she yawned, “Sebastian whored me out in front of them all earlier.”
    “But Bradley just got here. He