Page 69 of Cupcakes and Kisses in Micklewick Bay

‘You think I’m interested in Max inthatway?’ The breeze blew tendrils of hair across her face and she swept them away with her fingers.

‘Aren’t you?’ There’d been no doubting the side-eye Sabrina had treated Jasmine to on her visit to Max’s house.

‘No!’ Sabrina shook her head so hard, her earrings jangled loudly. ‘I can’t believe you think I’d come to warn you off. Max is my boss, and though our relationship is relaxed, it’s purely professional. And not just that, but I’m engaged to someone else. We’re getting married next year.’

‘Oh.’How could I have got it so wrong?‘So what are you wanting to talk to me about, then?’

‘I wanted to tell you to treat Max with care. He hasn’t gone into a great deal of detail, but I do know he was really looking forward to catching up with you and your family after all this time. And I could tell by the way he was when you called up at the house that he likes you. A lot.’ Sabrina stopped talking as a couple walked by, waiting until they were out of earshot. ‘I’m not sure what’s happened between you, but he’s been distracted all day. I haven’t seen him subdued like this before and I can’t help feeling it’s got something to do with you.’

Guilt tore at Jasmine’s insides as Sabrina continued.

‘Max has a big heart and he’s just crying out for someone to love. He’s a good guy, and one of the kindest, most generous people I’ve ever met and he deserves to find someone who’s his equal in that respect. What I’m trying to say, is don’t hurt him, because if you do, I fear he’ll never trust again.’

Not waiting for an answer, Sabrina flounced off back inside the Jolly, leaving Jasmine contemplating her words.

‘Where’ve you been, Jazz?’ asked Florrie, when Jasmine finally arrived back at the table, bottle of wine in hand.

‘I was beginning to think you’d taken Ando up on his offer of a walk back to his place for a couple of pickled eggs and a pint of gut rot,’ Stella said dryly.

The look Jasmine shot her made them all hoot with laughter.

‘I’ve been having a wild old time, with Max’s PA, who’s just treated me to a lecture about how I should treat Max.’

‘What? What gives her the right to speak like that to you?’ Maggie snatched up her glass of fizzy orange juice, looking put-out on Jasmine’s behalf. ‘And, more importantly, why is it any of her business?’

‘It wasn’t said nastily, more that she wanted to get her point across,’ Jasmine explained.

‘Sounds like she was overstepping the mark to me,’ said Stella.

‘Maybe she was a bit.’ But she’d given Jasmine pause for thought, which had galvanised her plans to speak to Max as soon as possible tomorrow.

THIRTY-THREE

SATURDAY

Despite calling Max’s number several times first thing on Saturday morning, Jasmine still hadn’t managed to speak to him. She’d been up early, stress depriving her of sleep, and had baked a batch of his childhood favourite double-chocolate cookies to give him as a peace offering. She’d even taken the bull by the horns and driven to his house, armed with the cookies, as Stella had suggested, only to find no one home.

It was torture!

She returned to Rosemary Terrace and set about making the two dozen cupcakes ordered by the local history group since one of their members was celebrating a special birthday that week.

The highlight of the day was the viewing of the Wilkinthorpe Road property which had turned out to be everything Jasmine had hoped. She’d viewed it on her own, leaving Zak and Chloe with her parents, not wanting to unsettle them if the property didn’t work out. As she’d suspected, the house had been refurbished in readiness for the rental market, and from what she could see it appeared to have been done to a high standard. It was light-years ahead of her current home and, much as she would love to sign on the dotted line immediately, she was going to give it some careful consideration over the weekend, tellingthe letting agent she’d get back to them on Monday. Jasmine didn’t take decisions of this kind lightly and didn’t want to rush into something as important as somewhere to live.

When she’d returned to her parents’ house afterwards, Jasmine was relieved to find the awkwardness after how she’d spoken to Max had gone. She’d apologised again, and listened as her mum had gently reminded her that she wasn’t the person Jasmine should be apologising to. ‘I know, Mum, I’ve been trying to get hold of him. I won’t settle until I speak to him,’ she said. Her mum had come back with, ‘Well, keep trying.’

Jasmine was ironing in the kitchen when her phone pinged heralding the arrival of a text. She set the iron down and reached for her phone to see the text was from Florrie.

Hi all, apologies for the short notice, but Ed and I are having a BBQ tomorrow here at Samphire Cottage. 12 noon-ish. We’re keen to make the most of the sunshine while it lasts!! Would love it if you could all join us. Fxx

Jasmine smiled. A barbecue at Florrie and Ed’s always made for a good do. It was just a shame Max was playing it cool with her, she was sure her friends wouldn’t mind if she’d invited him along to meet everyone. It would’ve been the perfect occasion to do it, when they were all feeling relaxed.Too late for that now, Jasmine.

THIRTY-FOUR

SUNDAY

With the last load of washing hung on the line in their poky backyard, Jasmine scooped up the tin of caramel brownies she’d baked that morning and whose indulgent chocolatey aroma still permeated the whole house, and grabbed her keys.

‘Zak, Chloe, time to go,’ she called up the stairs.

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