Page 127 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘How’d what go?’ Bea asked, pressing the heel of her hand into her temple.
‘Er… at the shop? With Mr Pritchard?’ Jess laughed.
‘Oh, yeah, good, the shop’s mine,’ Bea said, distractedly.
‘Oh, that’s brilliant news, I’m so happy for you,’ said Jess, a smile lighting up her face.
‘Yeah, thanks, Jess, me too,’ Bea agreed.
‘So… why do you look so miserable?’ Jess asked, her eyes searching Bea’s face.
‘Can we talk? In private?’ Bea asked, looking sadder than Jess thought she’d ever seen her.
‘Of course, we’ll go upstairs,’ said Jess.
‘So, what’s wrong?’ Jess asked, as soon as they were sat in the living room in the flat above the shop.
‘Okay…’ said Bea, taking a deep breath. ‘The shop’s mine, I’ve got the lease and everything, but I realized the only person I wanted to tell was… Nathan.’
‘Well, that makes sense, he’s going to be involved in the shop too…’ Jess trailed off. ‘Hang on,’ she said, realization dawning. ‘That’s not the reason, is it?’
‘No,’ said Bea, shaking her head. ‘The thing is, Jess… well, I think I might have feelings for Nathan,’ she blurted out quickly. There. She’d finally said it out loud.
‘Course you do!’ said Jess, grinning. ‘I mean, it’s bloody obvious.’
‘You mean, you knew?’ said Bea, ‘but how could you? Even I didn’t know until about ten minutes ago—’
‘Well, it’s been pretty obvious for ages: you’re into him, he’s into you,’ said Jess, crossing her legs. ‘It’s perfect.’
‘He’s into me?’ Bea stammered. ‘Jess, are you sure?’
‘Course! I’m telling you, he’s got feelings for you too, Bea. I promise.’
‘God!’ said Bea, sitting back in her chair.
‘It was a relief when you finally dumped Lochlan, I was beginning to think you’d never see what he was really like, to be honest.’
‘But why didn’t you say anything, Jess? If it was obvious he wasn’t right for me?’
‘You had to figure it out for yourself, Bea, you were so wrapped up in him, but I knew you’d get there eventually.’
‘So, what do I do now? Tell Nathan how I feel? Just like that?’ Bea asked, panic rising in her chest. ‘I’m not sure I can just blurt it out. We’re such great friends, I don’t want to risk losing him.’
‘Yes, but,’ said Jess, taking her hand, ‘if you don’t try you’ll never know.’
‘True,’ Bea whispered.
‘While we’re admitting things…’ said Jess, chewing her bottom lip. ‘I’ve got something to tell you, too.’
‘What?’ Bea asked.
‘Well, Archie and I have been on a few dates. It’s not that serious, but, well, I do kinda like him…’ Jess admitted.
‘I knew it!’ said Bea. ‘I did wonder if there was something going on, but Nathan convinced me I’d got it wrong.’
‘Well, you were spot on. He persuaded me to read Firestarter after your book speed-dating thing and then we watched the film together, and things kind of went from there.’
‘But you hate horror?’ said Bea, laughing at the thought of Jess hiding behind a cushion watching the Stephen King classic with her brother.
