Page 67 of The Last Saturday In July
Luca reappeared with the Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as two flutes of sparkling Italian wine. ‘On the house, with our very best wishes.’ He gave Jess a little wink.
‘Thank you, Luca.’ She smiled and took a sip.
‘The thing is,’ Simon said, after Luca left, ‘my career is very different to yours.’
Jess drank some more sparkling wine. ‘I agree.’ Where was this going?
‘And the reality is that once we have children, it’ll probably suit you to take a career break. Otherwise, neither of us would see our children very much.’ Simon held up a hand. ‘Let me finish, please. Financially, it makes sense to put my career first.’
Jess’s mouth opened and closed, but she couldn’t speak.
Oblivious, Simon turned to study the menu. Jess didn’t know why: he always ordered the lasagne.
She put down her glass carefully. It was best to say nothing. She couldn’t make a scene here, in their favourite restaurant. That was the trouble with having a favourite restaurant. Simon was probably still hurting after the failed business dinner; he didn’t literally mean that his career was more important than hers. Except that he’d hinted at it before. Still, saying something and really meaning it were different things.
Simon closed the menu. ‘I know what I want.’
Maybe he wouldn’t ask for the lasagne. ‘They have great specials tonight.’
‘Hmm, maybe.’ Simon raised his eyebrows. ‘So.’
‘So.’ Jess smiled.
‘Was there something in particular you wanted to talk about?’
A change of topic! Jess released a breath. ‘Well, nothing in particular. I thought we could chat abouter… silly stuff.’
‘Silly stuff?’ Simon’s eyebrows disappeared under his fringe.
‘Er, well, not literally.’ She lifted her glass. ‘Anyway, here’s to us!’
Simon pulled a face as he took a sip. ‘It’s that awful cheap stuff. I’ll stick to the bottle we ordered. You should too.’
Jess drank half a glass. ‘I like it. And it’s kind of rude not to drink it.’
Simon gave her a patient look. ‘Not when we didn’t ask for it.’
Jess maintained a firm smile. Would this be their regular restaurant in years to come? Would they have date nights? Celebrate birthdays and wedding anniversaries? Bring their kids, eventually? She couldn’t picture any of it. Maybe if there was less pressure to have children ... she stopped herself from taking another deep breath. She was starting to hyperventilate.
‘Actually, I’ve been thinking, how about we start looking around for a house?’ Simon said, swirling the wine gently in his glass before taking a sip.
‘Um.’ Their flat was very spacious for two people. Just not for a family. Her chest felt tight, and she quickly drank some water.
Simon looked worried. ‘Jess?’
‘I’m fine.’ She flashed him a smile. ‘Just ... hungry.’
‘Right, hang on.’
He signalled to Luca, who approached their table, smiling broadly and flourishing a small notebook.
Crap, she hadn’t even had a chance to look at the menu. It didn’t matter, she’d already mentioned the specials. She slanted Simon what she was pretty sure was her sexiest look. ‘Why don’t you order for me?’
Simon cleared his throat and turned to Luca. ‘Two lasagnes and the house salad to share.’
Chapter 26
JESS crept into work the following morning. Something had taken up residence in her stomach overnight and died there. Whatever it was, was also affecting her head. Had she drunk too much? Hardly, not in front of Simon. But now she thought about it, she’d probably thrown that sparkling wine back too quickly, followed by more than half of the Cabernet, despite Simon’s insistence that they take the rest of it home.
