Page 88 of Booked for Summer

‘How are things with Ned?’ Jade asked, clearly used to Lauren’s eloquent descriptions.

Liam heard Lauren sigh. ‘We’ve seen each other a few times but it’s difficult. You’ll understand when you get yourself a career. There’s a certain professional responsibility.’

He sat bolt upright and glared at Lauren through the screen. ‘You don’t count managing a bookstore a career?’

There was a beat of silence. Long enough for him to realise he’d just done what he’d told himself he wouldn’t and interfered in Jade’s business.

‘Well three months of a job is hardly a career,’ Lauren retorted finally. ‘And aren’t you the guy who tried to stop her doing even that?’

Point to Lauren. ‘It is a career if she wants to continue managing it.’

Instantly, the atmosphere in the room changed from easy Sunday morning to…what the hell had he just said? Slowly Jade turned to look at him. ‘What do you mean?’

He was winging this, and heneverwinged. He thought long and hard before making decisions. ‘You’ve shown me how the bookstore can benefit the resort. It can stay, and you can run it. If you want.’

‘You’re keeping it on?’

If it keeps you here.He couldn’t say it. What if he showed his hand, only to be crushed, to have her reject him? Could he really risk going down that path again? And what about his dream, the one he’d been working towards his whole life? If he didn’t knock the shop down, didn’t build the cottages he’d planned, who the fuck was he turning into? The man who’d built Haven resorts was driven, determined. He didn’t let anything get in his way. He’d created that man, knew him inside out.

The man Jade wanted him to be? The one who forgot about revenge, who worked with the community who hated him… he didn’t know who that man was. And though he hadn’t lied to her about wanting to find a different version of himself, he wasn’t sure he could behim. ‘It’s something to think about.’ Desperate to get away, he nodded towards the screen. ‘Lauren, nice to meet you. I’ll leave you guys to your chat.’ He kissed Jade on the shoulder. ‘See you later. And if you don’t want your sister to get an eyeful of what you were playing with last night, I suggest you angle the phone.’

ChapterThirty-One

Jeremy reached for Jade’s empty glass and made a great show of turning it upside down before shaking his head and tutting.

The man was at his most mischievous this evening, no doubt aided by the three cocktails he’d already downed.

‘What sort of guy are you, Boss Man, if you allow your date’s cocktail to dry up?’

Liam, looking especially gorgeous tonight in a black open-collared shirt and charcoal grey jacket which made his eyes pop, sighed. ‘I’m working.’

It was Saturday night and Jeremy had asked her and Liam to join him and Leroy in a wedding-planning session. Liam had immediately pulled theI’m on dutyexcuse, which Jeremy had just as immediately dismissed.You’re the boss man. You can work from the bar.

‘In which case, be a good best man and order another round of cocktails for us. And a water for yourself,’ Jeremy added generously, causing another heavy sigh from Liam.

The man she’d spent every night with this last week, ever since the trip to see his grandma, slowly rose to his feet. ‘Fine. But only if it gets me out of picking menus. And flowers. And cake. And fucking seating plans,’ he added over his shoulder. Hands shoved into his trouser pockets, he ambled towards the bar.

‘We won’t be seeing him again for a while,’ Leroy noted dryly.

Jeremy nodded and turned to her with a sly grin. ‘Hopefully just enough time for us to interrogate our bookstore manager, starting with the most burning question. What did Operation Double BJ entail?’

She gawked at him. ‘Sorry?’

‘Ah, I’m not supposed to use that name. Such a shame, but he wasn’t as impressed with it as I was.’

Leroy let out a low chuckle. ‘I’m not sure which I find hardest to believe, that you asked him to be your best man, or that he accepted.’

Jeremy shrugged. ‘He doesn’t see it yet, but we’re peas in a pod.’ It was easy to laugh at the comparison yet Jade knew that beneath the light words was a serious acknowledgement that they’d both, in their different ways, been treated as outcasts. ‘Speaking of vegetables, come on, spill the beans. How did he win you back?’

God, it was good to have friends. She’d only known these two for six weeks, yet Jeremy with his warmth and humour, and Leroy with his quiet interest, his steadiness, had rapidly become important to her. People she could talk to about anything, without judgement. ‘He took me to meet his grandma.’

‘Ah, the famous Pat Haven. Got to admire a woman who single-handedly brings up her grandson.’ Jeremy studied her. ‘So you’re together now? Officially dating or just hooking up?’

Leroy groaned. ‘Damn, my fiancé is a nosey son of a bitch. You don’t have to answer, Jade.’

She laughed. ‘I’m used to him by now. And yes, you could say we’re officially dating, but…’

‘You’re only out here for three months.’

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