Page 63 of Just Like That

‘Cheeky, but apparently also a “studmuffin”, right?’ He reaches out and takes my hand, then yanks me around the side of the restaurant and kisses me intently.

‘Nick, we can’t do this here.’ I reluctantly pull away from him. ‘The event I’m running is right there. What if someone sees us?’

‘They won’t see us, and you need a break. Let Lauren and Serge take the reins for now.’

‘Well, I guess I have been workingreallyhard.’ I melt back into him, while manoeuvring further out of sight.

Moments later, we’re shocked back to reality by a harassed-looking Gwen stomping past on the path muttering to herself. Nick puts a finger to his lips, but keeps his other arm firmly wrapped around my waist. Standing stock still, I pray that she won’t see us, because this definitely isn’t delivering on her request of our ‘thing’ not to impact our work. My heart thudding in my chest, I watch her with panicked eyes, willing her to keep moving. Then, just as it’s starting to look like we’re out of the danger zone, Gwen must sense our presence, because she shoots around suddenly and clocks us, causing me to leap away from Nick guiltily.

‘Nick, Jess, come with me.’ Gwen looks like a woman not to be messed with.

‘Shi-i-t,’ I give a low groan.

Even Nick looks concerned by Gwen’s expression and tone. He reaches out and grasps my hand to let me know we’re in this together, but I shake my head and pull it away.

This is bad. Gwen specifically asked us not to let our relationship interfere with our jobs, and now she’s caught us skiving off like two naughty teenagers hiding behind the bike shed. To make things worse, from the way she was stomping around, it seems like she was looking for us – which means someone must have seen us together and complained to her.

Chapter 28

Nick and I trail silently behind Gwen all the way to the courtyard and into her office, where she gestures for us to take a seat. Unable to bear the tension any longer, I launch straight into an apology.

‘Gwen, I’m so sorry. That was so unprofessional of us. You trusted us to keep our relationship separate from our jobs and we abused that trust. I realise it’s simply unacceptable and we deserve whatever action you feel is appropriate under the circumstances.’

Stealing a glance at Nick, I’m expecting – no, almost hoping – to see the same flabbergasted reaction to my previous panicked outpouring, but his face is ashen.

‘Are you done?’ Gwen asks me with one hell of a poker face.

‘Erm… yes. Sorry.’ I shrink into my seat and chew on my lip anxiously.

‘OK, great. Because you two having a snog round the side of the restaurant is the least of my worries right now.’

‘It is?’

I sit forward and Nick does the same.

‘If it’s not that then what’s going on, Gwen?’ he asks. ‘I’ve never seen you looking so… serious.’

Before Gwen can answer, Lauren bursts into the office.

‘Sorry, Mum, I didn’t realise you were looking for me.’ She scoots past Nick and I, taking the remaining free seat in the room. ‘What’s up? I’m not getting good vibes here.’

Gwen gets up from her desk chair and begins pacing. ‘“What’s up” is that the bank has declined the additional business loan I was assured I would get.’

‘What?’ Nick looks shocked. ‘We were relying on that loan to keep the park open until Christmas. Your business relationship manager knew that.’

‘He did, but apparently someone at the bank has had a change of heart. They think we’re too big a financial risk, and even if we get out of the hole we’re in, we’ll hit a bigger one further down the road.’

‘I can’t believe this.’ Nick rubs his jaw in dismay.

‘Me neither.’ Lauren’s face has drained of colour. ‘I know our options are limited, but is there nowhere else you can get the money from?’

‘No.’ Gwen continues her pacing. ‘I’ve tried several avenues. All dead ends.’

‘How long till we close?’

‘About two months.’

Lauren shakes her head vigorously in denial, while Nick puts his head in his hands and lets out an anguished cry. I instinctively put my arm around him, then glance uncertainly at Gwen, who waves a hand telling me to go ahead.

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