FORTY THREE

VERA

Admidst Slutty's invectives, Nathan walked to the couch, picked her clothes and threw them out the door at her. He dusted his hands before turning to look at me with amusement in his eyes.

"I had half a mind to let her go home without her clothes," he said. "Like Freya, but….."

Suddenly, he paused and looked me deep in the eye and the atmosphere between us immediately became charged with an embarrassing awkwardness.

Oh well, I felt awkward, though I wasn't so sure Nathan did. What I was sure about though was his anger.

The cold surfaced, but deeply raging anger. He pulled back, increasing the distance between us.

"Oh, look at me all mouthy like everything is alright between us, right?" he said savagely. "Like we aren't learning to mind our own business, huh?"

He gave a small, angry smile. How can someone's smile be angry? I didn't know, but his was at the moment, and it made my heart ache.

"Sorry, my lady," he said, turning away. "I had better go back to minding my business, huh?