Sabrina glided over to his side and her voice almost sounded like a purr when she spoke, “I couldn’t let your birthday pass without celebrating it and you.” Sabrina gave him a kiss that would make a porn star blush.
When they finally came up for air, you could hear their friends talk about what an incredible looking couple they were; Tim with his sable hair and dark blue eyes and Sabrina with her dark Hershey’s kiss colored skin and large chocolate eyes.
Tasha had so many mixed emotions watching her friend kiss Tim. She did her best to bury those feelings…every…single…one of them.
The kiss was supposed to be Tasha and Craig’s cue to roll the huge birthday cake out to him, but Craig couldn’t make it so Daniel took his place. Birthday music started playing in the background.
When Tim saw Tasha rolling the cake out, he did his best not to stare. He immediately released his hold on Sabrina and could barely keep his eyes off of her. It had been a while since he’d seen her but he didn’t think he’d ever seen her look the way she looked tonight.
Unfortunately, it was Daniel that caught him drooling over her. He whispered into Tim’s ear, “Your wife might not take too kindly about you drooling over her best friend. Me on the other hand…that is expected.”
It took everything within him not to put his fist into Daniel’s face. Instead, he decided to let it pass especially since it was true…but mostly because so many people were watching especially Jenny.
He was more than a little surprised that she even came. It was no secret that his siblings, especially his sister and Sabrina, didn’t like each other.
He reached out for a bear hug, “It’s good to see you.”
Jenny hugged him back, “You too big brother.”
Sabrina stood there watching the little family reunion trying to hide her dislike on her face for Jenny while Daniel held a smug look on his.
Tim looked up from his sister’s embrace and scanned the room to see all of his friends, his business associates, and many of his employees who came out to celebrate. However, he couldn’t seem to keep his eyes from coming back to Tasha.
Was that really her? She looked sexy as hell. It made him sick to his stomach to think that Eric was the one who got to be with her. With the exception of tonight, he’d done a pretty good job of hiding his feelings for her over the past year.
Tasha smiled but her eyes never reached his, “Happy Birthday, Tim!”
He gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek, “Thanks Tasha.” No one would ever know the warring emotions that was going on inside of them.
Sabrina, who was already a little tipsy, had had enough of the greetings and was ready to party.
“Can someone please get my husband a drink and turn the music back up!”
*****
It had taken almost an hour, but Tasha finally made her way back to Eric. He was standing around talking to some guy she didn’t recognize. She came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Eric only half turned around.
Tasha looked around him to the gentleman he was speaking with, “Excuse me, they are playing our song? Would you mind if I steal him away for a moment? Eric would you care to dance with me?”
Eric smiled but his eyes were hard, “You mean you’ve finally got time for me?”
She ignored him and took his hand in hers and led him to the dance floor. They started off moving to the beat of the music. Eric put his hands on Tasha’s hips and pulled her closer to him. Tasha closed the remaining space between them and rolled her hips into him as she let her hands roam all over his chest.
Eric wrinkled up his nose, “Come on Tasha…don’t do that here. What’s gotten into you?”
She smiled up at him, “Do what? This?” Tasha grinded her body into his again, “Why not?”
“Because this isn’t you and I don’t like my girl acting like a whore in front of all these people.”
He stopped dancing, “I need some air. I’m going to step out for a minute.” Eric left her standing on the dance floor.
That stung. Tasha was hurt and confused. One minute Eric was telling her that she was too uptight and frigid. The next he was telling her she was acting like a whore. Lately, she could never seem to win.
Tasha walked off the dance floor. Feeling embarrassed and rejected, she needed a moment alone to gather herself. She went to the upstairs family room. The upstairs had been blocked off so there shouldn’t have been anyone up there.
But, as she walked towards the room, that didn’t seem to be the case. She heard what sounded like people arguing. Initially, Tasha couldn’t make out the words but as she got closer the words got clearer.
“I didn’t ask for this party Sabrina!”
“You could at least act as if you’re having a good time!”
“You’re lucky I didn’t embarrass the hell out of you when I walked through that door. I told you not to throw it. You know this isn’t a good time for us. I told you I don’t want to pretend like we’re this happy couple when we’re not! We seriously need to talk.”
“I was just trying to do something nice for you. This was my way of saying…I’m sorry.”
Tim stared Sabrina down, “For what exactly are you sorry?”
“I know I haven’t been the best wife. I want to start over.”
“I don’t. I’m tired of pretending. We’ve been pretending for years. Aren’t you tired?”
“Actually, no. I like being Mrs. Timothy Horne.”
Tim ran his hands through his hair, “Why? Because
